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10 Family-Friendly Charities Where Kids Can Give

Often, parents want to teach their kids to give back and to spend their time, efforts and money on helping others, but don't know where to start. Children want to help and enjoy their role in the larger community. There are a number of ways for kids to give back beyond just donating money. Here are a few charities worth supporting where kids can do just this!

#1. Alex's Lemonade Stand

This charity raises money to fight childhood cancer. Children can hold their own lemonade stand events in their neighborhood, raising money for a great cause. The charity gives information and support for doing this here.

#2. Make a Wish

This foundation grants the wishes of kids fighting life-threatening illnesses. From meeting stars to trips to Disney World, they are making dreams come true and providing happiness during tough times.

#3. St. Jude

Kids can raise money and donate to help find a cure for and treat children with cancer. What a worthy cause to work toward as a child!

#4. Ronald McDonald House Charities

The RMHC provides housing for families with children in the hospital, so that siblings and parents can all be close to one another. Donating here helps give families a comfortable place to stay during a difficult time.

#5. Habitat for Humanity

This is a charity where kids can become directly involved by giving back and volunteering time and effort. Kids learn valuable life lessons while helping provide shelter to those in need around the world.

#6. Share Our Strength

This organization aims to end childhood hunger. Aside from just sending a monetary donation, they provide efforts where kids can give back by sending holiday cards with proceeds going toward the cause or supporting a big night out, a culinary event that helps kids in the community.

#7. Wildlife Conservation Society

For your little nature lovers, a donation to this organization can help save spectacular and imperiled wildlife. We all know how important it is to teach our kids about taking care of the earth and all its inhabitants - help them see how they can give back as well.

#8. Kaboom

Kaboom ensures that children all over are given the opportunity to play. In building playgrounds, ice skating rinks and more, they are bringing play to many communities without the resources to do so themselves. “Children are missing out on the childhood they deserve. Play is disappearing at home, at school and in communities, particularly for the 16 million children living in poverty.” - Kaboom.com

#9. Doctors Without Borders

Donating here helps provide medical care to those all over the world in need. Kids that raise money and donate here are helping directly impact other children in need.

#10. Big Brothers Big Sisters

Volunteering here gives families the opportunity to greatly impact the lives of other children around them. A fulfilling opportunity that empowers everyone involved. From donating money, volunteering time, or through various efforts, there are many ways that kids can become involved and give back. In researching and learning about a charity and then raising or saving money for a cause, children can make a difference and gain an immense sense of pride. This heart-warming process allows them to feel like they matter, they can help, and their efforts are important. How can you and your kids give back this holiday season?

15 Trusted Charities Helping Children

Crises like war, climate change, disease outbreaks and extreme poverty affect people of all ages, but children are uniquely disenfranchised. According to groups like the United Nations, children make up more than 50% of those living in extreme poverty. This makes them more vulnerable to poor health, violence, and exploitation. Governments also often neglect to establish legal protections for children, which makes it much harder for kids and families to obtain assistance and justice. Charities around the world help fill the gaps with humanitarian aid and economic empowerment, while many also provide platforms for young people to speak for themselves. In this article, we’ll go over 15 trusted charities focused on helping children.

#1. Save the Children

In 1919, Eglantyne Jebb witnessed children dying of hunger and disease after the end of WWI. She created the Save the Children fund to raise money. Today, the organization has grown into an international umbrella group with members in 120+ countries. Five core values drive the nonprofit’s work: accountability, integrity, ambition, collaboration and creativity. Programs vary across countries, but Save the Children’s priority areas include hunger and famine, the climate crisis, education, health and poverty in America. The organization has earned many accolades over the years, such as a 2023 top-rated award from the Great Nonprofits Top-Rated Awards and an A- from CharityWatch.

#2. Oxfam

Founded in England, Oxfam is a leading organization fighting poverty and injustice. It works with a global network of local organizations to deliver clean water, food, money and education to communities affected by climate change, disease, war and other urgent issues. While Oxfam doesn’t focus exclusively on children, its work on poverty, gender equality, economic justice and climate action are vital to the rights and safety of kids. CharityNavigator gives Oxfam America a 99% score, which makes it a four-star charity, the highest rating given by Charity Navigator. CharityWatch gave Oxfam a B+ in 2021.

#3. UNICEF

UNICEF (officially called the United Nations Children’s Fund) is an agency of the UN and charity providing humanitarian and developmental aid to children. It works in over 190 countries and territories on areas such as child survival, education, emergencies, gender, child protection and much more. It was founded in 1946 and relies on contributions from private donors and governments. On Charity Navigator, UNICEF USA has a 92% and four-star rating. CharityWatch gave UNICEF USA an A grade in 2021.

#4. Plan International

Plan International, which works in over 80 countries, is a developmental and humanitarian nonprofit working to advance children’s rights and gender equality. Founded in 1937, it works to empower children, make changes in practice and policy, work with kids and communities on crisis response, and support children from birth to adulthood. It has programs focused on education, protection from violence, youth empowerment, sexual and reproductive rights, early childhood development, skills and works, and emergencies. Plan International USA has a 100% score and four stars on Charity Navigator, while Plan International Inc. has an 86%.

#5. Right to Play

For more than two decades, this international organization has worked to help kids stay in school, graduate, stay safe and heal from the traumas of war and abuse. Founded in 1994, Right To Play now reaches millions of kids in 15 countries through programs focused on games, sports, creative play and free play. Right to Play’s goal is to empower 100 million kids by 2030. Through the power of play, the organization wants to empower girls, build peaceful communities, protect boys from violence, prevent HIV and do better in school. Right to Play has a 100% score and a four-star rating from Charity Navigator.

#6. Child Rights International Network

Child Rights International Network describes itself as a “creative human rights organization with a focus on children’s rights.” It seeks to challenge the status quo regarding children and young people’s place in society by advocating for rights – not charity – to shift how governments and culture treat young people. It uses research, art, policy and advocacy to articulate its mission. Its priorities include access to justice, age assessment, bodily integrity, children’s rights in the digital age, sexual violence and more.

#7. Amnesty International

Established in 1961, Amnesty International is one of the world’s largest advocacy NGOs. It may have as many as ten million members and supporters around the world. Through advocacy campaigns, including its famous letter-writing campaign, Amnesty International raises awareness of human rights abuses and petitions governments to take action. Its priority areas include armed conflict, climate change, discrimination, torture, police brutality and child rights. Amnesty International monitors human rights violations against children and hosts a free online child rights education course. Charity Navigator gives Amnesty International a 99% and four-star rating.

#8. International Literacy Association

The International Literacy Association (ILA) is a professional membership organization with more than 300,000 literary educators, researchers and educators from 128 countries. The group advocates for children’s rights to read, as well as excellent literacy instruction and equitable access to education, resources and opportunities. ILA performs its work through publishing research, creating resources for educators, providing professional development and supporting teachers and other literacy professionals. Charity Navigator gives ILA a 100% and four-star score.

#9. Children’s Defense Fund

The Children’s Defense Fund has strong roots in the Civil Rights Movement in the United States. Marian Wright Edelman, the first Black woman admitted to the Mississippi Bar, founded the Children’s Defense Fund in 1973 to call on the government to improve its policies and programs for children. Today, the Fund operates a range of programs such as Freedom Schools and Beat the Odds. The organization’s goal is to work directly with kids and youth to help empower them. Its priorities include health, poverty, early childhood, youth justice and racial justice. The Children’s Defense Fund has a 99%, four-star rating from Charity Navigator. CharityWatch gave the charity an A grade in 2020.

#10. Children’s Rights Alliance

Established in 1995, the Ireland-based Children’s Rights Alliance has created a network of over 100 members working to improve children’s rights in Ireland. With 17 other organizations, the Alliance makes up the Community and Voluntary Pillar of Social Partnership. The group is also a member of the Eurochild network and the Children’s Mental Health Coalition/Mental Health Reform. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child guides the charity’s principles. Current projects include children’s access to justice, reform for child refugees, child poverty and early childhood development.

#11. Global Fund for Children

The Global Fund for Children was founded in 1993 by Maya Ajmera, who was inspired after learning a group of children were living, attending school and begging on a train platform in India. The charity takes the approach that innovative, community-based organizations can use small amounts of money to make long-term impacts on children and youth. The Fund finds organizations, funds programs, advises and guides partners, and builds national and regional networks. Charity Navigator gave the Global Fund for Children a 99%, four-star score.

#12. World Vision

World Vision is a Christian humanitarian aid, development and advocacy organization. It operates in over 100 countries with over 33,000 staff members, making it one of the world’s largest NGOs. It doesn’t focus exclusively on children, but child rights and protection is one of its target areas. It also works on education, economic development, health and nutrition, and clean water and sanitation. World Vision has a 94%, four-star score from Charity Navigator. Charity Watch gave the organization an A grade in 2022.

#13. Defence for Children

Defence for Children International (DCI) is a child rights, membership-based grassroots movement. Founded in 1979, the organization believes children should have full human rights and dignity. Its priorities include children affected by armed conflict, children on the move, violence against children and children deprived of liberty. It also pays special attention to gender equality and child participation. Because the DCI has a unique structure, its National Sections operate as grassroots organizations that identify and create programs that directly correspond to what kids in their countries need. The charity also partners with entities like the European Union and the United Nations Economic and Social Council.

#14. Children International

Children International began in 1936 as a Christian mission providing food baskets and medical care in Israel. The organization has since expanded around the world, including countries in Asia, South America, Africa, and North and Central America. Its programs focus on health, education, empowerment and employment. Through its work, the organization helps more than 200,000 children and their families break out of poverty. Its recognitions include a 100% from Charity Navigator and an A- from Charity Watch.

#15. Malala Fund

Malala and Ziauddin Yousafzai founded the Malala Fund in 2013. The charity’s goal is to ensure all girls receive their right to 12 years of safe, free and good-quality education. The Fund invests in education advocates and community activists working to improve access to education in places where that right is threatened. Target regions include Turkey, India, Nigeria, Brazil, Pakistan and Afghanistan. Malala Fund also works in advocacy and research. Charity Navigator gave the Malala Fund a 100%, four-star rating.

The 50 Worst Charities in America

Then there are the professional long term operations. They utilize direct mail or telemarketers to solicit millions of dollars in donations from unsuspecting individuals and businesses. Are you concerned you’ve already been scammed or just want to make sure you won’t be in the future? Here are some of the worst offenders:

Kids Wish Network

Cancer Fund of America

Children’s Wish Foundation International

American Breast Cancer Foundation

Firefighters Charitable Foundation

Breast Cancer Relief Foundation

International Union of Police Associations, AFL-CIO

National Veterans Service Fund

American Association of State Troopers

Children’s Cancer Fund of America

Children’s Cancer Recovery Foundation

Youth Development Fund

Committee For Missing Children

Association for Firefighters and Paramedics

Project Cure (Bradenton, FL)

National Caregiving Foundation

Operation Lookout National Center for Missing Youth

United States Deputy Sheriffs’ Association

Vietnow National Headquarters

Police Protective Fund

National Cancer Coalition

Woman to Woman Breast Cancer Foundation

American Foundation For Disabled Children

The Veterans Fund

Heart Support of America

Veterans Assistance Foundation

Children’s Charity Fund

Wishing Well Foundation USA

Defeat Diabetes Foundation

Disabled Police Officers of America Inc.

National Police Defense Foundation

American Association of the Deaf & Blind

Reserve Police Officers Association

Optimal Medical Foundation

Disabled Police and Sheriffs Foundation

Disabled Police Officers Counseling Center

Children’s Leukemia Research Association

United Breast Cancer Foundation

Shiloh International Ministries

Circle of Friends For American Veterans

Find the Children

Survivors and Victims Empowered

Firefighters Assistance Fund

Caring for Our Children Foundation

National Narcotic Officers Associations Coalition

American Foundation for Children With AIDS

Our American Veterans

Roger Wyburn- Mason & Jack M Blount Foundation for Eradication of Rheumatoid Disease

Firefighters Burn Fund

Hope Cancer Fund

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Most recent revision July 12, 2025 08:38:38 AM

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