Oh hey, Minnesotans! And other people with money!
If you are from Minnesota and on the Internet, or if you are following people from Minnesota and on the Internet, you may be aware that it’s Give to the Max Day. You may be overly aware that it’s Give to the Max Day!
On Give to the Max Day you can donate to your favorite Minnesota charities and everyone cheers, and it’s really fun because clicking buttons to give money to people who need it is really fun.
For example, you could donate to the Twin Cities Runoff, which is a nonprofit organization that is sponsored by Springboard for the Arts. (We’re not really pushing for donations today because we’re launching a large fundraising campaign in the near future, but your support will go directly toward compensating contributors.)
Today, however, I’m donating to organizations that have matching grants available because I’m an Amer’can who likes to get the most for her money.
Here are the three organizations I’m supporting, and I wish I could give more:
- The Library Foundation of Hennepin County - The library is completely necessary to my functioning as a person and as a businesswoman. They also have a quote from Ed Asner in the donation video, which is a huge selling point!
- The Neighborhood Development Center - Support local independent businesses in the neighborhoods that need them!
- Rainbow Rumpus - The only online magazine designed exclusively for kids with LGBT parents! It’s a fantastic organization that helps a lot of families and a lot of kids, and I used to volunteer there and I’m all for supporting them.
There are a ton of other places to give—like the Twin Cities Daily Planet or Works Progress—and they all deserve your attention and support. Even if you just scroll through the GiveMN website, you can see the amazing community-oriented nonprofit work that occurs every day (not just on Give to the Max Day) throughout the state of Minnesota. It’s one of the reasons why I really really love it here.
Don’t get Give-to-the-Maxed out just yet! Four more personal considerations for you on this Give to the Max Day:
- The Neighborhood Involvement Program provides free and sliding-scale medical, dental, and mental health services to people in the community who are uninsured or underinsured. I’m very proud to be a practicum therapist at this awesome organization.
- The Loft Literary Center’s Equilibrium series, devoted to providing a space for communities of color to be empowered by poetry. They won the 2010 Minnesota Nonprofit Award for Anti-Racism!
- I vouched for the Twin Cities Women’s Choir last year, and I’ll do it again. Over 100 women come together every week to feel, to heal, and be part of something larger than oneself through song. Completely volunteer organized! Go women!
- Finally, there’s the Second Heartland Harvest, which I blogged about before (here are some facts to support the fight against hunger). Thanks to Arnold G., Erica M., and Becky L. for your donations during my birthday drive - the total money raised equals over 230 meals!
Now go forth and be charitable!