Charitable Giving Releases Endorphins By Writer and Contributor NJ Jaeger
Our area has many outstanding nonprofits doing remarkable work. This list is localized and by no means exhaustive. Think of it as a friendly tool in your giving calendar. Giving can stimulate your brain's mesolimbic pathway or reward center from the release of endorphins, serotonin and dopamine that boost self-esteem, elevate happiness and counter depression. Serotonin regulates your mood, while dopamine gives you a sense of enjoyment. Giving helps you feel more socially connected.
LEGAL RESOURCE ON CALIFORNIA NONPROFITS: https://oag.ca.gov/charities
The Attorney General's Guide for Charities has been revised and there is a live webinar discussing the Guide. The video and additional resources are available on the Guide for Charities page. The video is also available on the California Department of Justice's YouTube Channel. On the sire you are able to review other Registry Publications and Resources.
Shifting donor behavior across the nation shows individual giving slightly down in favor of fewer giving larger gifts. At this moment in history an individual choices for the essential contributions that mobilize activities in support of the common good are more indispensable than ever — it’s easy to be informed. Surf over to Charity Navigator at the top of this story and type in the name of the nonprofit you are assessing to see their rating.
FINANCIAL WORTHINESS RESOURCE: Charity Navigator https://www.charitynavigator.org/
GIVING USA 2024: Lilly Family School of Philanthropy: Indiana University Indianapolis
“Americans increased their giving over the previous year despite the elevated cost of living and headlines warning of a possible recession in 2023,” said Josh Birkholz, Chair of Giving USA Foundation. “We’re not yet back to the highs of pandemic-era giving, but there are some signs of stability.”
“Volunteerism can do as much for you as for others.” Retired RN
“Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.” Muhammad Ali
“Volunteering is the ultimate exercise in democracy. You vote in elections once a year, but when you volunteer, you vote every day about the kind of community you want to live in.” Unknown Author
VOLUNTEER VALUE
Volunteers are the key to social welfare efforts in our localities and across our nation. Volunteers spend millions of hours every year providing help to feed the hungry, clean up after disasters, protect our natural environment, and rescue animals in distress. A good measurement of the critical role volunteers play in America is the American Red Cross who relies on volunteers for 90% of its workforce.
LOCAL CHARITABLE GIVING LIST
DISASTER RESOURCES
Salvation Army https://torrancecorps.org/torrance/
HOUSING & ReSTORE RESOURCE
Habitat for Humanity https://www.habitat.org/ , https://www.habitatla.org/restore/
FOOD RESOURCE
Los Angeles Regional Food Bank https://www.lafoodbank.org/
ANIMAL WELFARE
South Bay Wildlife Rehab https://www.sbwr.org
International Bird Rescue (San Pedro) https://www.birdrescue.org/
Pet Protectors League (#1 Peninsula Cat Rescue) https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/330007456
Friends of Cabrillo Marine Aquarium https://www.friendsofcabrilloaquarium.org
SPCLA (Adopt Cats & Dogs) https://spcala.com/
SENIOR RESOURCES
The Circle of Palos Verdes Art Centerhttps://www.thecirclepvac.org/
Peninsula Seniors (Community Building) https://www.pvseniors.org/
H.E.L.P (Abuse Protection) https://www.help4srs.org
YOUTH RESOURCES
Boys and Girls Club LA Harborhttps://bgclaharbor.org
Switzer Learning Center (Neurodivergent) https://switzercenter.org/
Family Promise of the South Bay (Homeless) https://www.familypromiseosb.org
Special Children's Leaguehttps://www.sclsouthbay.org/
Vistas for Children Charity Organization (Special Needs) https://vistasforchildren.org
Freedom 4U (Mental Health) www.freedomcommunity.com
Your Journey Home (Mental Health) https://www.yourjourneyhome.org
Grades of Green (Environmental Education) https://gradesofgreen.org
OneWorldAnchor (Environmental Education) https://www.oneworldanchor.org
ARTS RESOURCES
Grand Vision Foundation (Performing Arts) https://grandvision.org
VOTER RESOURCES
League of Women Voters of PV and San Pedro https://lwvpalosverdes.org
COMMUNITY SERVICE RESOURCES
The Lions Club of Palos Verdes Peninsula http://www.palosverdes.com/lions/
Assistance League San Pedro-South Bay https://www.assistanceleague.org/san-pedro-south-bay
Sandpipers (College Financial Assistance) https://www.sandpipers.org/philanthropy
National Charity League (Palos Verdes Chapter) https://www.nationalcharityleague.org/chapter/palosverdes/
Beach Cities Toy Drive https://www.facebook.com/beachcitiestoydrive
Hermosa Friends Foundationhttps://hermosafriendsfoundation.org
Redondo Beach Rotary Clubhttps://www.redondobeachrotary.org
Womens Clubs of Hermosa Beach https://womansclubofhermosabeach.org
Womens Club of Redondo Beach https://www.redondowoman.org
Volunteer Center South Bayhttps://volcenter.org/
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Palos Verdes July 4 Celebration Committee https://pvjuly4.org/
NATURE EDUCATION RESOURCES
Friends of Madrona Marsh https://www.friendsofmadronamarsh.com
South Coast Botanic Garden https://southcoastbotanicgarden.org/hours-admission/
South Bay Park Land Conservancy https://www.southbayparks.org
Palos Verdes Land Conservancy https://www.pvplc.org
MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES
International Surf Therapy https://intlsurftherapy.org
COMMUNITY MEDICAL RESOURCES
Beacon House Association of San Pedro www.beaconhouseassociation.com
South Bay Childrens Health Center https://www.sbchc.com/
Venice Family Clinic https://venicefamilyclinic.org
HOSPICE RESOURCE
Caring Househttps://www.yourcaringhouse.org/
SUBSTANCE ABUSE RESOURCES
Strides in Recover https://www.stridesinrecovery.org
CANCER SUPPORT RESOURCES
Cancer Support Community Redondo Beach
https://www.cancersupportcommunity.org/location/cancer-support-community-south-bay
Walk with Sally (Childrens Cancer Support) https://walkwithsally.org
Jester and Pharley Fund https://thejester.org/
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RESOURCES
Rainbow Services Ltd. (Domestic Violence) www.rainbowservicesdv.org
TRANSITIONAL SHELTER
Communitys Child Inc. (Homeless & Pregnant) https://www.communityschild.org/
SCHOOLS
Hermosa Beach Education Foundation https://hbef.org
Peninsula Education Foundation http://www.pvpef.org/
Redondo Beach Education Foundation rbef.org
LIBRARIES
Peninsula Friends of the Library https://www.pvldfriends.org
Friends of the Torrance Library https://www.friendsofthetorrancelibrary.org
Friends of Redondo Beach https://www.redondobeachlibraryfriends.com
HISTORY RESOURCES
Palos Verdes Historical Society https://palosverdeshistoricalsociety.org/
Torrance Historical Society http://www.torrancehistoricalsociety.org/aboutus/
HOMELESS POLICY RESOURCES
MB Safe (Homeless Services) https://www.mbsafe.org
JOB RESOURCES
South Bay Workforce Investment Board https://www.sbwib.org
Publisher Note - There are many worthy causes that deserve your support and this is in no way an exhaustive list. We have not included the vast number of community, religious or municipal charities in the Los Angeles area. To research your charitable giving you may find services such as Charity Navigator helpful in providing a snapshot of financial health and management fees.
NJ is a storyteller who has written in many voices for clients in health, education, entertainment, food, sport and politics. Her firm managed publicity for documentary films, book authors and the U.S. Championships. NJ received the Lynn Weaver Award from the Entertainment Professional Publicists Society for her lifelong commitment to philanthropy and community volunteerism.
