Giving Tuesday: where to give back in Birmingham

Birmingham, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Alabama
Photo via Ronald McDonald House Charities of Alabama

It’s #GivingTuesday, and Bham Now would like to acknowledge its non-profit clients for 2018. Share kindness and give back today!

Medical

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Alabama

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Alabama partners with Children’s of Alabama and UAB Hospital to provide housing for families while their children receive medical treatment. Every night, the House cares for up to 73 guest families, providing them with a room, home-cooked meals, laundry facilities and more. But, most importantly, families are surrounded with love and support.

Birmingham, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Alabama, Ronald McDonald House, McDonald's, pop tabs, pop tab pandemonium
RMHCA Family Bryn Pop Tabs. Photo courtesy of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Alabama

In 2017, the House provided 888 guest stays and an estimated 39,000 stays since opening in 1979.

To operate the Ronald McDonald House, it takes $100 per night per family. Luckily, with the help of donations, families are not required to pay a room fee and no family is ever turned away for their inability to make the minimal donation.

Donate.

Children’s of Alabama

Founded in 1911, Children’s of Alabama has provided specialized medical care for ill and injured children through inpatient and outpatient services throughout central Alabama. Children’s is the third largest pediatric medical facility in the United States and has been ranked among the best pediatric medical centers in the nation by U.S. News and World Report.

Birmingham, Children's of Alabama
Photo via Children’s of Alabama

Last year, Children’s provided care for children from every county in AL, 45 other states and six foreign countries, representing more than 677,000 outpatient visits and more than 15,000 inpatient visits.

Donate

Disaster Relief

United Way

The United Way of Central Alabama is a non-profit organization that coordinates fundraising and community charity work throughout central Alabama.

The United Way of Central Alabama focuses on community issues, such as:

  • Helping children and youth succeed through engagement;
  • Strengthening and supporting families;
  • Improving access to healthcare; and
  • Promoting financial stability.
Birmingham, United Way
Organizing coolers of meals for Meals on Wheels. Photo courtesy of United Way of Central Alabama

Financial contributions to the United Way of Central Alabama helps ensure every child has a quality education, every family has a stable income, a healthier community and access to services in times of crisis.

Donate.

Nature

Birmingham Botanical Gardens

Open 365 days a year, from sunrise to sunset, the Birmingham Botanical Gardens stretches across 6.75 acres of greenery and features over 3,000 types of plants, more than 30 outdoor sculptures and over  20 interpretive and thematic gardens.

Birmingham, Birmingham Botanical Gardens
Birmingham Botanical Gardens in Birmingham, AL. Photo by Terri Robertson for Bham Now

Along with daily access to enjoy the gardens, the Birmingham Botanical Gardens also offers workshops, free forums, lectures, events and classes that promote public knowledge and appreciation of plants, gardens and the environment.

Donate.

Vulcan Park and Museum

Vulcan Park and Museum, best known for the Vulcan, the world’s largest cast-iron statue and most memorable works of civic art in the United States, is a 10-acre urban green space that provides incredible views of Birmingham and an interactive history museum that examines the story of Vulcan and Birmingham.

Birmingham, Vulcan, Vulcan Park and Museum, Museum Day
The Vulcan statue watches over Birmingham. Photo via Vulcan Park and Museum

Operated by the Vulcan Park Foundation, a non-profit organization with a mission to:

  • Preserve and promote Vulcan as the symbol for the Birmingham regions;
  • Advance knowledge and understanding of Birmingham’s history and culture; and
  • Encourage exploration of the region.

Donate.

Cahaba River Society

Did you know the Cahaba River is one of the main drinking water sources for one-fifth of the state’s people in the Birmingham metro area? With your support, the Cahaba River Society will help protect and fight for this iconic river.

Why give to Cahaba River Society?

  1. To protect drinking water
  2. To restore the Cahaba River
  3. To connect youth with nature
  4. To have fun.

Donate.

Birmingham, Cahaba River Society
Spire Fry-Down team, “Crowd Favorite” at the 9th Annual Cahaba River Society Fry-Down at Railroad Park. Photo by Pat Byington for Bham Now

Education

McWane Science Center

The wonder of science can be discovered at McWane Science Center in Birmingham. As a non-profit institution, McWane relies generous on contributions from individuals, corporations, foundations, organizations and public agencies. Your donation helps maintain science literacy programs and world-class exhibits.

Donate.

Public Libraries of Jefferson County

Reading is power. But shrinking budgets combined with the nonstop technological  revolution are making it hard for libraries to thrive. This #GivingTuesday, celebrate 40 years of public libraries in Jefferson County by supporting them through donation.

Donate.

Birmingham, Homewood Public Library
Judith Wright, Teen Librarian at the Homewood Public Library. Photo via Judith Wright

Animals

Hand in Paw

Hand in Paw is a human service organization that provides training and evaluations for therapy animals and their handlers. Their mission: To improve human health and well-being through Animal-Assisted Therapy.

Donate.

Birmingham, Hand in Paw
The love of a dog through Hand in Paw. Photo courtesy of Hand in Paw

The Arts

Birmingham Children’s Theatre

Birmingham Children’s Theatre believes every child deserves great theater. Do you? Each year, BCT serves more than 175,000 young people and families, making it possible for children to experience live educational theater—some for the very first time!

Donate.

Birmingham, Photo via the Birmingham Children's Theatre'
Birmingham Children’s Theatre performance. Photo by Jacob Blankenship.

Virginia Samford Theatre

The historic Virginia Samford Theatre is your destination for great plays and musicals in Birmingham. The 2018-19 seasons marks over 90 years of theater entertainment. Your donation will continue to keep the history and excitement of the stage alive.

Birmingham, Alabama, Virginia Samford Theatre, Ain't Misbehavin
Ain’t Misbehavin’ performed at the Virginia Samford Theatre in Birmingham. Photo via Virginia Samford Theatre

Donate.

Moss Rock Festival

November marked Moss Rock Festival’s 13th Eco-Creative Festival in Birmingham. This one-of-a-kind outdoor fall festival welcomes 10,000 annually, allowing visitors to explore nature, art, crafts and more.

Donations from individuals like you are vital to Moss Rock Festival’s success while helping to keep the festival free to the public.

Birmingham, Moss Rock Festival
Moss Rock Festival in Hoover, AL. Photo via Moss Rock Festival

Donate.

More Places to Give

For more options on where to give, consider these:

Alabama Association of Regional Councils
Alabama Organ Center
Birmingham Commercial Realtors Association
Birmingham Museum of Art
Birmingham Originals
Birmingham Southern College
Crisis Center Birmingham
Economic Development Partnership of Alabama
Innovate Birmingham
Junior League of Birmingham
Lakeshore Foundation
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
Magic City Art Connection
Momentum
Neverthirst
Oak Mountain Presbyterian Church
Samford School of the Arts
Southern Environmental Center
Southern Makers
TechBirmingham
The YMCA of Greater Birmingham
UAB Sustainability
United Ability
Urban Land Institute
Workshops Inc.

Where will you donate this #GivingTuesday?

Want to know how your organization or business can work with Bham Now?  Contact us at hello at bhamnow.com to learn more.

Patience Itson
Patience Itson
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