Making a difference with your life in a general sense starts by taking the time to think about the needs of others around you locally, and globally…. From that point, there are so many different causes that will tug differently on our unique heartstrings, and in various seasons of our lives.  The important thing is to let your efforts to help and contribute come from a place of personal conviction and love–versus pressure or guilt–and to encourage others to do the same.

Below I have listed a few categories of Charitable causes & organizations out there seeking to make a difference in the world.  Perhaps it can be a starting place or springboard for your own venture into making the world a better place, whether you join in on a reputable, established organization with your financial &/or volunteer contributions, or you consider going about setting up your own initiatives.

Some guiding Scripture on the Gift of Giving:
“If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.” – 1 Corinthians 13:3 (NIV)

“For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have. Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. The goal is equality, as it is written: ‘The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.’ “ – 2 Corinthians 8:12-15 (NIV)

“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” -2 Corinthians 9:6-8 (NIV)

 

Helpful Tools on Choosing a Charity:

• Smart Giving: http://www.smartgiving.ca/finding-good-charities/how-to-find-a-good-charity
• TedBlog on Choosing a Charity: http://blog.ted.com/how-to-pick-the-charity-thats-right-for-you/
• Article on How to Choose Wisely: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/08/giving/how-to-choose-a-charity-wisely.html

 

A List of Some Charities to Consider*:

Eradicating Poverty Initiatives

GLOBAL:

• World Vision: USA: http://www.worldvision.org/
• World Vision: Canada: https://www.worldvision.ca/
• Charity Water: https://donate.charitywater.org/donate/newyear

LOCAL (Greater Vancouver, BC):

• Union Gospel Mission (Vancouver, BC): http://www.ugm.ca/
• Nightshift Street Ministry (Surrey, BC): http://nightshiftministries.org/

Fighting Modern Day Slavery & Sex Trafficking

• Ratanak International: http://ratanak.org/

Health Research and Care

Canada:

• Heart & Stroke Foundation: http://www.heartandstroke.com/
• Canadian Cancer Society: http://www.cancer.ca/

U.S.:

• American Heart Association: http://www.heart.org/

 

*DISCLAIMER: No formal endorsement or affiliations. I am providing links to other sites from this website for your convenience. I am not an expert in any way at choosing which charities or causes everyone should support, nor am I personally affiliated directly with any of these organizations, but wanted to present “a list” as examples of organizations which have seemed to me to be of good reputation, and covering a diverse range of causes.  If you are aware of any concerns regarding any of these organizations (i.e. bad reputation, unethical practices, and/or the foundation is no longer in operation), please let me know so I can do my best to be presenting good examples in good conscience.