This page contains resources that (some) people might find of value as they seek to become more engaged in civic life.  In addition to the first five links I provide, you'll also find links to resources grouped under two main categories: "How to learn", and "Where to donate." Links in the latter category are to organizations that do good work on a variety of topics. I've included mostly organizations that are effective in spending money efficiently (according to charitywatch.org), but also others that despite not being rated do very valuable work to protect the rights of disadvantaged populations. I'll be updating this list often, so suggested additions are welcomed! ​ ​  
  • Action toolkits from Black Lives Matter are available here. 
   
 
​How to learn?​​



Where to donate?​

Organizations working on the topic of race and civil liberties  
  1. American Civil Liberties Union. Its mission is to maintain and advance civil liberties, including the freedoms of association, press, religion, and speech, and the rights to due process of law, and to equal protection of the laws for all people throughout the United States. To become a member or donate, go here.  
  2. Anti-Defamation League. Going to this page, you can communicate with your members of Congress, subscribe to their newsletter, or make a donation.
  3. Campaign Zero. This NGO works to end police violence in American and improve community interactions with police forces. The website is here.
  4. National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Donate here, and find your local chapter for more ways to get involved here.
  5. Native American Rights Fund. This organization provides legal assistance to Native American tribes, organizations, and individuals nationwide who may otherwise go without adequate representation. Donate here.
  6. Southern Poverty Law Center. Dedicated to fighting hate and bigotry and to seeking justice for the most vulnerable members of society. You can donate here. 
​
Organizations working on rights of disabled people
  1. Goodwill. Works to protect the rights of disabled people. The missions is to enhance the dignity and quality of life of individuals, families, and communities by eliminating barriers to opportunity. To donate and shop, go here.
  2. Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation. Dedicated to curing spinal cord injury by funding innovative research and improving the quality of life for people living with paralysis through grants, information, and advocacy. Click here to donate. 

Organizations working on environmental protection
  1. Center for Biological Diversity. Works to secure a future for all species, great and small, hovering on the brink of extinction. Donate here.
  2. Climate Solutions. A non-profit working on global warming. To engage, go here.
  3. Conservation Fund. Its mission is to protect America's legacy of land and water resources through land acquisition, sustainable community and economic development, and leadership training. Support this organization here.​
  4. EarthJustice. This is the largest nonprofit environmental law organization in the country, working to protect wildlife, for healthy communities, and for cleaner energy options. Donate here, and sign up for action alerts here.
  5. Environmental Defense Action Fund. The mission of the organization is to educate the public regarding environmental and conservation issues, and advocate legislation and policies that protect the environmental rights of all people. For ways you can help, click here.​
  6. League of Conservation Voters. The mission is to turn environmental values into national, state and local priorities. To donate, click here. 
  7. Natural Resources Defense Council. The mission of the NRDC is to safeguard the earth-its people, its plants and animals, and the natural systems on which all life depends. Go here to donate. 
  8. Sierra Club. The largest grassroots environmental organization in the county, and works to protect millions of acres of wilderness and pass legislation like the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act. Click here for ways to give.
     Ohio
  1. Ohio Environmental Council. The leading non-profit in the state of Ohio on environmental issues. You can support the organization here. 

Organizations working on immigration and refugees
  1. American Refugee Committee. Works with refugees, displaced people, and those at risk to help them survive crises and rebuild lives of dignity, health, security, and self-sufficiency. To donate, go here. 
  2. National Immigration Law Center. Dedicated to fighting for the rights of low-income immigrants through litigation, policy analysis and advocacy, and various other methods. Donate or learn how you can attend a local training here.
  3. National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights. Protects the rights of immigrants and refugees in the U.S. You can donate here. 
     Ohio 
  1. Community Refugee and Immigration Services. Provides a variety of services for immigrants and refugees settling into the Columbus area. Click here to explore possible ways to get involved, and here to donate.  

Organizations working on inter-faith dialogue  
  1.  Council of American-Islamic Relations. An organization that works to dispel misconceptions about Islam and foster ties across religious affiliations in the U.S. Their website is here.

Organizations working on LGBTQ rights & advocacy 
  1. Human Rights Campaign. Works to protect the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered individuals. Donations can be made here.
  2. Trevor Project. The mission of the organization is to end suicide among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning young people . Click here for more about opportunities to get involved. 

Organizations working on women's reproductive rights
  1. Center for Reproductive Rights is the world’s foremost legal advocate for securing women’s access to quality reproductive health care. Donate here.
  2. NARAL Pro-Choice America. Works to ensure reproductive rights. Click here to donate and here to volunteer.
  3. National Organization for Women. Works to protect the rights of women in the U.S. Donate here, and look for volunteer programs, like clinic escorting, on your local chapter’s page.
  4. Planned Parenthood. The country’s leading sexual and reproductive healthcare provider. Click here for nationwide volunteer opportunities (including as a clinic escort) and click here to donate. Local chapters also list more extensive volunteer opportunities, so take a look at your specific chapter (here’s New York’s page) for more.
  5. She Should Run. A non-profit that aims to get more women into elected leadership roles. You can donate here or anonymously ask a woman you know to run for office.


Other resources of value, particularly for Ohio residents in the Columbus area. ​

Center for Latin American Studies - 
The Ohio State University 
309 Oxley Hall 
Columbus, OH 43210 
Phone: (614) 688-4285 
Contact: clas@osu.edu 
Website: http://clas.osu.edu/contactUs.php 
 
¿Qué Pasa, OSU? 
2400 Olentangy River Rd. 
8th Floor. 
Columbus, OH 43210 
Phone: (614) 247-4198 
Email:  quepasa3@esue.ohio-state.edu 
http://www.quepasa.osu.edu
 
The Ohio State University - 
Multicultural Center 
128 Lincoln Tower 
Columbus, OH 43210 
Phone: (614) 688-8449 
http://mcc.osu.edu 
 
 FIRSTLINK Call 2-1-1 
Hispanic Outreach/Bilingual Resources 
195 North Grant Avenue 
Columbus, OH 43215 
Phone: (614) 221-6766 
Contact: primercontacto@firstlink.org 
http://www.firstlink.org 

Latino Empowerment Outreach Network - 
L.E.O.N. 
P.O. Box 16215 
Columbus, OH 43216-6215 
Contact: leongroup_adelante@yahoo.com 
http://www.leongroup.org 

Latino Housing Advocacy Committee 
6797 N High Street 
Worthington, OH 43085 
Phone: (614) 842-6044 
Contact: Aindrea L. Wilder ( aindrea@alliedhomenet.com)

LULAC Columbus 
Chapter 39005 
P. O. Box 13691 
Columbus, OH 43213 
Contact: lulac@lulac-columbus.org 
http://www.lulac-columbus.org 
​
Ohio Hispanic Coalition 
6161 Busch Blvd. Suite 
Columbus, OH 43229 
Phone: (614) 840-9934 
Contact: Josue Vicente ( josue@ohiohispaniccoalition.org) 
Website: www.ohiohispaniccoalition.org