As college students, it is easy to get lost in the everyday struggles we face on campus, but let's not forget that the world is much bigger than our grades and degrees. A professor I had freshman year asked if any of us wanted to go into nonprofit work once we graduated. No one raised their hand. Because nonprofit doesn't exactly sound too great to a poor college kid with student loans to pay back, but surprisingly nonprofit employees are not only getting a paycheck but are also making incredible changes for humanity. Even if you don't plan to work in the nonprofit field, here are five nonprofits to check out:
1. To Write Love On Her Arms.
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This nonprofit organization tackles the stigma attached to mental health. To Write Love On Her Arms (a.k.a. TWLOHA) is dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury, and suicide. This nonprofit exists to encourage, inform, inspire, and invest directly into treatment and recovery. You can find out more at twloha.com or on local college campuses throughout the United States.
2. Food Recovery Network.
Food Recovery Network is the largest student movement against food waste and hunger in America. College students from Brown University, and the University of California, Berkeley and Pomona College all joined forces to do something about the wasted food from dining halls. Now this call to action has spread all over the United States! Check out their website at foodrecoverynetwork.org.
3. Dance Marathon: Miracle Network.
This nonprofit organization raises funds and awareness for more than 170 pediatric hospitals. It is the only children’s charity committed to having 100 percent of the funds raised stay local to support the children in that area. Miracle Network Dance Marathon has raised more than $135 million for kids across North America to ensure that no child or family fights pediatric illnesses or injury alone. A college in Oklahoma created a sector called CowboyThon, an affiliate of their local Children's Miracle Network Hospital to generate awareness and financial support for Oklahoma's Children's Hospital Foundation. Find out more at dancemarathon.org.
4. International Justice Mission (IJM).
This nonprofit organization is currently the world's largest anti-slavery organization. International Justice Mission is an international, non-governmental nonprofit organization focused on human rights, laws and law enforcement. Fighting global violence and sex-trafficking are big tasks, but are made possible because of nonprofits like IJM who speak up for those who cannot. Learn more about their missions and work at ijm.org.
5. Best Friends Animal Society.
Best Friends' No More Homeless Pets Network brings animal shelters and rescue groups together from across the country to hold mutual adoption events, public education campaigns, and fundraising drives. Best Friends Animal Society owns nearly 3,700 acres, and leases another 17,000 acres of state and federal land, becoming the nation's largest no-kill sanctuary for companion animals. Learn more about this nonprofit organization at bestfriends.org.
Be sure to search for nonprofit organizations in your area. Most rely on students for volunteer opportunities. The more people help, the bigger the impact will be in the long run.
"We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give."
—Winston Churchill
