October 30, 2020
Giving Tuesday 2020
This season is the perfect reminder of everything we have to be thankful for and C&A is especially thankful for all the amazing organizations that make our community better. Help us give thanks by reading about some of our favorite organizations and how you can contribute on Giving Tuesday, December 1.
By: Laurynn Payne
Philly Fights Cancer
Founded in 2015, Philly Fights Cancer has raised over $43 million for research and clinical trials at Penn Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center. Philly Fights Cancer’s largest fundraising event takes place annually, attracts over 2,000 guests, and has featured incredible talent including John Legend, Jerry Seinfeld, Maroon 5, Earth Wind & Fire, Carole King, Lionel Richie, and many more. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Philly Fights Cancer: Round 6 is being postponed until 2021. Learn more and contribute today here.
William Way
The William Way LGBTQ Community Center provides support, advice, and a safe place for the LGBTQIA+ community of Philadelphia. With programs such as social groups, networking events, and counseling, to art exhibitions and cultural experiences, the center constantly strives to provide new and innovative experiences for the LGBTQIA+ communities throughout the Greater Philadelphia Region. To donate and learn more click here.
The Enterprise Center
Supporting minority entrepreneurs and under-resourced communities, The Enterprise Center in West Philadelphia has been making an impact for more than three decades. By advising and delivering transformative economic development through wealth-building initiatives, minority business growth can prosper. Through investing in people and projects, The Enterprise Center believes that aligning capital with expertise and mentorship is the strongest route to economic wealth and success. To learn how you can assist in their mission visit here.
Women’s Way
Women’s Way is a nonprofit organization empowering groups and individuals to act by supporting equal opportunities for women, girls, and gender equality for all. Through connecting, empowering, and investing in issues such as economic security, leadership, reproductive rights, and safety, Women’s Way is ensuring that all voices are heard and have the opportunity to make a difference. Donate today here.
The James Beard Foundation Investment Fund For Black And Indigenous Americans
In acknowledgement of the immeasurable contribution that these two communities have made to the modern American foodscape, the James Beard Foundation launched The James Beard Foundation Food and Beverage Investment Fund for Black and Indigenous Americans to provide financial resources for food or beverage businesses that are majority-owned by Black or Indigenous individuals. These grants are part of their Open for Good campaign, launched in April to rebuild an independent restaurant industry that is stronger, more equitable, more sustainable, and more resilient when it re-opens post-COVID-19. This new Fund is part of the Foundation’s ongoing commitment to continually lift up the Black and Indigenous business owners in our industry, not just in light of the pandemic, but for good. To donate or learn more, click here.
Coded by Kids
Focusing on young people between the ages of 8 and 18 from underrepresented groups, Coded by Kids provides the tools and resources necessary for success in the tech industry. Through services such as software development, digital design, computer science, and tech startup-focused education programs, Coded by Kids helps develop skills and cultivates career development. To get involved with Coded by Kids or to donate visit here.
Supporting Diversity in Journalism
As a communications agency we support the organizations working to drive diversity in the newsrooms. The Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists advances the interests of black journalists providing mentorship and role models for students interested in journalism. Their program includes a strong network in the media industry as well as sponsoring scholarships and education on sensitizing the media to racism in employment and news coverage. There is also a Philadelphia chapter of the Asian American Journalists Association, and the newly formed Philadelphia chapter of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists which you can follow on Twitter for updates.
West Philly Corridor Collaborative
The West Philadelphia Corridor Collaborative is a network of business stakeholders that form an entrepreneurship engine that accelerates growth for local small businesses. The best way to strengthen a community is by helping residents achieve self-sufficiency by starting new businesses and supporting existing businesses with the access to opportunity, resources, and connections. To get involved click here.
Mural Arts
Mural Arts Philadelphia inspires change and creates numerous opportunities for a more just and equitable Philadelphia. Providing an impact in tourism and the art industry, Philadelphia Mural Arts infuses our neighborhoods with beautiful and meaningful art and culture. For more information visit here.
Covenant House
The Covenant House Pennsylvania takes young people aged 21 and below in desperate situations under their wing. Their mission includes helping young people who are facing homelessness become healthy, happy, responsible, productive, and independent adults through free services and shelter. With two locations in Pennsylvania: Philadelphia and York, they serve a total of 3,200 youth annually. Donate today here.
PAL
The Police Athletic League of Philadelphia is “Cops Helping Kids.” They aspire to be the premier youth-serving organization in the city, by reducing crime, promoting character development, and improving educational outcomes. They do this through collaborative work of Philadelphia Police Officers, supported by civilians, who offer sports and other programs to youth in PAL centers in some of the city’s highest crime and lowest income neighborhoods. PAL Centers are safe havens, offering a variety of programs and other events to attract, engage, and develop an active membership base of more than 10,000 Philadelphia youth. To learn more and donate, click here.
Make the World Better Foundation
Make the World Better Foundation connects neighbors and inspires one another to have pride and ownership in their communities. Through community-based redevelopment projects, the organization designs with and for the community by cleaning up neglected space and making it home to many. Donations can be made here.
Drueding Center
Drueding Center serves families who are healing from trauma by restoring hope, building up skills and ending the cycle of homelessness by providing support and housing to domestic violence victims. What sets them apart from other traditional housing organizations is that the Drueding Center helps them every step of the way up to seven years after they leave the center through interconnected programs and additional resources. For more information on how to help visit here.
Friends of Rittenhouse Square
The mission of Friends of Rittenhouse Square is to protect, preserve, and beautify the iconic, landmark park. Membership funds enable the Friends to continue to provide the park’s basic services such as: landscaping, graffiti removal, a dedicated park ranger, bench repair, supplemental seasonal maintenance staff, sidewalk sweeping, and excess seasonal trash removal. For more information on becoming a member or donor, click here.
Ertz Family Foundation
The Philadelphia Eagles’ very own Zach Ertz and his wife, National Women’s Soccer League star Julie Ertz have taken their platform as professional athletes to bring positive impact. Empowering others through faith, sports, and education, they hope to transform lives and build supportive communities. To donate and learn more, click here.
The Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
The Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce is devoted to promoting the advancement and economic growth of Hispanic businesses and professionals. Through educational programs, services, and events they serve the government, entrepreneurs, corporations, Latino businesses, and professionals. For more information on how to support, visit here.
Asian Arts Initiative
Through the power of art, the Asian Arts Initiative brings communities together through cultural expression and social change. Located in Philadelphia’s Chinatown North, Asian Arts Initiative is a multidisciplinary arts center offering exhibitions, performances, artist residencies, youth workshops, and a community gathering space. To learn more and donate to the Asian Arts Initiative click here.
PENNSYLVANIA 30 DAY FUND
The non-profit Pennsylvania 30 Day Fund provides forgivable loans for Pennsylvania-based small businesses. The forgivable loan is intended to provide immediate financial assistance (within maximum three days) to meet payroll, preserve healthcare coverage for employees and save jobs while they await recently approved federal funding. The Pennsylvania 30 Day Fund is designed to be quick, easy, and free of red tape, as small business owners work to keep employees on board in the near term. All we ask in return: if you can, pay it forward. To donate please visit here.
PAWS
As the city’s largest rescue, PAWS is dedicated to saving Philadelphia’s homeless and at-risk animals, providing low-cost, basic veterinary care for pet owners and rescue organizations that cannot access or afford proper care. With three no-kill shelters, foster care network, and special events, PAWS finds loving homes for thousands of animals annually. To get involved and make an impact on these furry friends visit here.
Community Fridge Project
The Mama-Tee.com Community Fridge is a joint effort led by women of color with the goal of helping those who are in need of food in communities of color throughout the city of Philadelphia. Their motto is – take some and leave some. They work with nonprofits, restaurants, grocery stores, and individuals by collecting and sharing food that may otherwise go to waste. To donate or learn more, click here.
Friends of the Avenue of the Arts
For more than a century, Broad Street has been the central artery of Philadelphia. A hub of commerce, a source of pride, a destination for millions Broad Street’s transformation into the Avenue of the Arts has reinforced it as a hub of commerce – but it’s become so much more. The Avenue has attracted 2 million patrons and generates approximately $500 million annually from taxes and direct spending by organizations and individuals. In 2008, it was named one of America’s “Great Streets,” by the American Planning Association. Friends of the Avenue of the Arts’ goal is to encourage economic development and enhance the beautification of both North and South Broad Streets through social and networking events that engage our Residents who live and work on the Avenue. To donate or become a member, click here.
Fairmount Park Conservancy
Fairmount Park Conservancy exists to champion Philadelphia’s parks. They lead capital projects and historic preservation efforts, foster neighborhood park stewardship, attract and leverage investments, and develop innovative programs throughout the 10,200 acres that include Fairmount Park and more than 200 neighborhood parks around the city. Through sustained leadership, significant investment, and strategic efforts, Fairmount Park Conservancy positions Philadelphia’s park system to become a world-class, preeminent park system, and a national model for urban revitalization, sustainability, and civic engagement. To support click here.
