Happy to live here?

The Problem: Healthy, vibrant cities

Who: Urban Ecology Institute

Why are they special? Provides public school students with opportunities to learn about urban ecology

Where: Cambridge, Massachusetts

Started: 1998

What the top person makes: $75,000 (2009)

General site: Home

Charity Navigator report.. Charity Navigator has determined this charity requires you to opt out of their sharing your information. (Unbelievable.)

Link to help: Donate

Deductible? Doesn't state


Image courtesy of Maggie Smith

Basketball doing good

The Problem: Funding cancer research

Who: The V Foundation

Why are they special? Founded by a basketball coach, the foundation has funded cancer research in 38 states and the District of Columbia.

Where: Cary, North Carolina

Started: 1993

What the top person makes: $169,177 (2009)

General site: Home

Charity Navigator report.

Link to help: Donate

Deductible? Yes


Image courtesy of graur razvan ionut

Equality

The Problem: Women's issues

Who: Women's Way

Why are they special? Raises money for 31 agencies involved in "women’s equality, safety, self-sufficiency and reproductive freedom."

Where: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Started: Mid-1970s

What the top person makes: $100,508 (2009)

General site: Home

Charity Navigator report.

Link to help: Contribute

Deductible? Doesn't state


Image courtesy of Rawich

Buying new ideas

The Problem: Innovation

Who: X Prize Foundation

Why are they special? They give large awards for the first people to achieve various goals they set.

Example: " A total of $30 million in prizes are available to the first privately funded teams to safely land a robot on the surface of the Moon and have that robot travel 500 meters over the lunar surface and send images and data back to the Earth."

One of the challenges they might set is to diversify their board--29 people, 3 of whom are women.

Where: Playa Vista, California

Started: 1995

What the top person makes: $312,962 (2009)

General site: Home

Charity Navigator report.

Link to help: Support

Deductible? Doesn't state


Image courtesy of Idea go

Ever think getting away for a bit would help your art?

The Problem: Artists

Who: Yaddo-NY

Why are they special? Artists selected by panels of professional artists are awarded residencies (2 weeks-2 months), including room, board and studio.

"Its mission is to nurture the creative process by providing an opportunity for artists to work without interruption in a supportive environment."

Where: Saratoga Springs, New York

Started: 1900

What the top person makes: $188,462 (2009)

General site: Home

Charity Navigator report.

Link to help: Support

Deductible? Doesn't state


Image courtesy of dan

Cars saving lives

The Problem: At-risk kids

Who: Youth Automotive Training Center

Why are they special? Avenues of hope by teaching basic auto repair, academic and job skills

A 2005 study showed that 85% of those who graduated between 1997 and 2004 were employed full time or in school. 26% had become supervisors or business owners.

As of 2009, 491 people have reportedly graduated from the program.

Where: Deerfield Beach, Florida

Started: 1984

What the top person makes: $113,957 (2009)

General site: Home

Charity Navigator report.

Link to help: Give

Deductible? Doesn't state


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A charity adapts

The Problem: Homeless people

Who: The Road Home

Why are they special? There used to be Travelers Aid Societies around the US, helping stranded travelers. Apparently nobody gets stranded anymore. The Societies have re-invented themselves.

The Salt Lake City branch now helps the homeless. First, they meet basic, immediate needs. Then they work on a housing plan.

Where: Salt Lake City, Utah

Started: 1923

What the top person makes: $91,316 (2009)

General site: Home

Charity Navigator report.

Link to help: Give

Deductible? Doesn't state


Image courtesy of Mantas Ruzveltas