How to do Good with Charitable Wedding Gifts
If you're a couple who already has all the stuff they can handle, you might consider giving your guests the option donate to a charitable organization in lieu of gifts. It's a great way to raise awareness for causes you are passionate about and do some good in your community. We recommend choosing a charitable organization that has personal meaning to you and your partner. Some of the most popular organizations are health, pet, kids and art. Choose your favorite charitable donation (or two) and add links to donate on your wedding website registry page. There are countless great causes in your area and these are just a few that we love.
Studio By The Tracks
Studio By The Tracks, a 501(c)(3) art studio and gallery providing supplies, guidance, and social/professional opportunities for adults with autism in Birmingham, Alabama. Established in 1989, Studio By The Tracks offers art classed for adults with Autism Spectrum and emotionally conflicted children living in a group home. Studio By The Tracks values the arts and believes in the importance of artistic expression.
CLICK HERE FOR INFO ON HOW TO HELP
FOLLOW @STUDIOBYTHETRACKS
Studio By The Tracks commits to supporting people in becoming everything they aspire to be and believe in arts as a vocational path. Studio By The Tracks strives to do all things with compassion, dignity and respect and fostering community. They respect neuro-diversity and different life experiences and have created an environment that is inclusive and respectful of all. Learn more about Studio By The Tracks and browse their shop here.
Café Momentum
Café Momentum is a 501(c)(3) that provides a transformative experience through a 12-month paid post-release internship program for young men and women coming out of juvenile facilities. They rotate through all aspects of the restaurant, focusing on life and social skills, coaching and development.
Café Momentum, works in collaboration with the Dallas County Juvenile Justice Department, and strives to teach young adolescent men and women that it is possible to break the cycle of violence and crime that many of these teens have faced. They focus on creating environments for these youth where they can gain self-confidence and learn marketable skills to ensure a more successful future. Café Momentum will soon be expanding into other cities.
CLICK HERE FOR INFO ON HOW TO HELP
Follow @cafemomentum
Café Momentum is a nonprofit restaurant which provides a 12-month paid post-release internship program for kids coming out of juvenile detention. The internship starts with a 2-week orientation at which time interns are connected with case managers to address basic urgent needs, establish a baseline of stability in their lives and set personal goals. The interns work their way through all areas of the restaurant, learning legal employment, social skills and life skills. Case management works to round out the ecosystem of support including; financial literacy training, parenting classes, educational assistance and career exploration. Case managers help to work through issues such as anger management, trauma recovery, fatherlessness and abandonment. After 12 months, successful interns are able to graduate from the program and are placed in a job with one of our community partners. These young men and women, who the juvenile justice system has referred to as “throw-aways” are now employed, tax-paying, wholly contributing members of society.
Nashville Launch Pad
Launch Pad is a 501(c)(3) and provides open and affirming sleeping shelters for the Nashville area. Launch Pad is a ‘street free sleep’ initiative, fueled by a collective of concerned citizens within the LGBTQ and allied community, which strives to provide open and affirming safer sleeping shelters for homeless youth in Davidson County.
CLICK HERE FOR INFO ON HOW TO HELP
FOLLOW @nashvillelaunchpad
Launch Pad Helping our Community’s Youth
We are a volunteer-based initiative striving to provide street free sleep to youth between the ages of 18-24 with a focus on being affirming and welcoming to LGBTQ youth. We’ve worked our way from providing shelter for one night a week to now five! The growth in our program is tremendous but carries the burden of limited resources. You can help by giving financially to allow us to grow through buying more mattresses, linens, pillows, meals, and everything else we need to help our community’s youth.
Wish Upon a Wedding
Wish Upon a Wedding grants weddings and vow renewals to couples facing serious illness or life-altering health circumstances. It's a beautiful thing to celebrate your wedding and help create a wedding for a deserving couple.
CLICK HERE FOR INFO ON HOW TO HELP
FOLLOW @wishuponawedding
Born out of the desire to give back to couples in need, in 2009 wedding planner Liz Guthrie inspired businesses and wedding industry professionals to donate their money and services to host a free wedding to a deserving couple in need. This one wedding started a movement in the industry – and Wish Upon a Wedding was formed.
Our original wedding industry founders came together with a vision to give couples and their loved ones a day away from serious illness. Today, our board members and local committees have grown to include professionals and partners from a wide range of industries across the United States. Through the generosity of individual donations, wedding industry professionals who donate their services, corporate sponsors and partnerships, and volunteers, we are able to grant weddings and vow renewals to deserving couples. Due to health-related circumstances outside of their control, the couples we honor have endured far greater challenges than many of us could possibly imagine and we aim to celebrate their love for one another.
As we approach our 150th wedding this year, we are grateful for your generous support and the opportunity our couples have given us to take part of their love story. We are so proud of our organization and hope that you will follow us on our journey.
First Descents
First Descents provides life-changing outdoor adventures for young adults (ages 18 - 39) impacted by cancer and other serious health conditions. First Descents is a recognized leader in outdoor experiential programming. Through outdoor adventures, skills development, and local adventure communities FD improves the long-term survivorship of young adults impacted by cancer and other serious health conditions.
CLICK HERE FOR INFO ON HOW TO HELP
FOLLOW @first_descents
Our participants experience free outdoor adventure programs that empower them to climb, paddle, and surf beyond their diagnosis, reclaim their lives, and connect with others doing the same.
Idaho Humane Society
The mission of the Idaho Humane Society is to advocate for the welfare and responsible care of animals, protect them from neglect and cruelty, and promote humane education, awareness, and compassion. We believe that because domestic animals are a product of human intervention, we have a special obligation to them in regard to humane treatment and responsible stewardship.
CLICK HERE FOR INFO ON HOW TO HELP
FOLLOW @idahohumanesociety
The Idaho Humane Society is the largest and oldest animal welfare organization and veterinary charity in the state. We are a private 501(c)3 organization that relies on donations to provide programs and services that benefit animals in Idaho.