Green gift guide: Charitable giving -- with benefits

The green blogosphere's already full of "stuff-free" gift guides, whether it's Katy Balatero's green list for eco-zine Grist or eco-activist Bill McKibben's call for holiday kisses. I like the idea, but there is, I think, reason why even donations to nonprofits often come with a "free gift," or at least a card.

I mean, sometimes, stuff is nice to get as a reward for doing good. If KCRW didn't offer those CD 4-packs with $100 donations, public radio'd have far fewer donors (Yes, I remember the bygone 5-pack days -- sniff.) Plus, stuff isn't always bad; stuff like books can educate, stuff like reusable water bottles can prevent the one-time use of more unnecessary stuff, etc.

Thus, a gift guide to green giving. Here's a list of great green causes deserving of your hard-earned dollars -- that'll give you a little useful something for your generosity:

1. For the smart reader: A gift subscription to GOOD magazine. For $20 -- ALL of which goes to one of 12 nonprofits of your choice -- you can get 6 issues of this entertaining LA-based magazine "for people who give a damn."

One of my fave pieces this year -- somewhat fittingly, for this post -- was "Against Philanthropy" by LA River activist Jenny Price, who calls out corporations -- and even philanthropic foundations -- for donating a comparatively tiny bit of money from the wealth that was accumulated by engaging or investing in shady social and environmental practices. "First, make sure you do no harm...," she urges. "Only then, think about handouts."

2. For the makeup or sunscreen addict: A donation to Environmental Working Group. This nonprofit runs Skin Deep, a database that rates personal care products for safety, since the FDA's refused to do much thus far. EWG's actually actively working on putting Skin Deep out of business by pushing legislation that'll force the FDA to start doing its job. “I don’t want women to have to spend 3 hours a day on the internet,” individually investigating cosmetics products, says Jane Houlihan, VP of Research at EWG.

A tax-deductible gift of $135 will get you a "Pollution Solutions Gift Bag," which includes an organic cotton shopping bag, an 8" cast iron pan, a reusable water bottle, a recycled notepad, an organic chocolate bar, and more.

3. For the eco-bargain hunter: A Co-op America gift membership. This nonprofit tries to "harness economic power ... to create a socially just and environmentally sustainable society." Co-op America publishes a National Green Pages that lists eco-friendly and socially responsible companies -- something akin to a national version of Greenopia. Around the holidays, Co-op America sends its members a bunch of e-coupons that can save you a bundle at many cool eco-stores.

Co-Op America's "Special Green Holiday Offer" lets you buy a membership for just $15, or 5 memberships for $40. Along with the  National Green Pages, members receive bi-monthly green living newsletter "Real Money" and the magazine "Co-op America Quarterly."

4. For the animal lover: A gift animal adoption from the World Wildlife Federation or the International Fund for Animal Welfare. I'm partial to the puffin, as illustrated even by my cereal-eating habit, but you can have your pick ranging from the meerkat to the blue-footed booby.

A $75 donation to WWF gets you a cute plush replica of the animal of your choice, an adoption certificate, and a photo -- plus a WWF ornament during this holiday season (right). A $75 donation to IFAW gets you a pen and pencil set, a canvas tote bag, and an attractive animal gift card and color brochure. Smaller donations will get you smaller gifts.

If you're a big spender (giver?) -- and by big I mean willing to plunk down between $1000 to $3.5 million -- WWF has an Extraordinary Gift Center too. Here you can buy a gift that puts your money directly towards a very specific enviro-project, like saving Sumarian tigers from poachers ($25,000) or establishing a fish protection zone ($50,000). No, I don't know that you'll get any baubles or trinkets for your generous donation, but my guess is that the knowledge that you've single-handedly, say, endowed a WWF Climate Science Chair (price tag: a cool mil) will be gift enough.

5. For the minimalist. Want nothing but a simple card? Plant a tree via LA-based TreePeople's “Gift of Life” Tree Dedication program, which I wrote about here, or give anything from a bicycle to a camel via Oxfam America Unwrapped, which I covered here.

Need more ideas? Britt Bravo of Have Fun Do Good's put together a nice list of 10 Holiday Gifts that Give Back.

Images courtesy of GOOD, EWG, Co-op America, WWF, and TreePeople

Comments

[Liza]

Hello Siel!
Just wanted to share with you our latest Daily Greens: Green Gift Guide video! We love how your gift guide covers charitable giving. It's really important that you're promoting these great organizations!
http://titancast.titantv.com/e2aba7c60ca44ef4930972743c2347d4/1/share.aspx

Keep up the good work!

Cheers,
Liza de Guia

host, Daily Greens
www.titangreens.com