LUXE TREND 42
#GIVING AWAY-2017 EDITION
Nothing feels better than to give, and to give regularly. After a year of upheaval, brought about my weather events, displacement of populations, and many other calamities, it is almost essential to balance all our luxury coverage with a list of some of the best charities. There are many worthy organizations needing our help. This is the list of charities we compile every year just before the holidays. Consider this year’s list an inspirational appetizer to help you get in the giving mood, especially if you are done splurging on your favorite person: yourself..
Epic Foundation
While not strictly a philanthropic organization, Epic provides tools that enable a model of strategic giving for businesses and individuals.
Founded in 2014, Epic Foundation's goal is to motivate more philanthropists, corporations, and foundations to fund organizations fighting inequities faced by children and youth around the world. CEO and founder Alexandre Mars and his team are developing new tools that will enhance how donors select, monitor and experience their impact. Their vision is to disrupt the philanthropic industry by combining technology and partnerships with change-making leadership.
The organization is one hundred percent not-for-profit and open-source; Epic Foundation's board has pledged to cover all operating costs, enabling one hundred percent of donations to flow directly to social organizations supported by the foundation.
Direct Relief
This charity has an international focus providing medical assistance, disease prevention and treatment, and emergency preparedness and response. They have been directly involved in helping with recent weather-related disasters, including the recent fires in California and the hurricanes in Florida and Texas.
PetSmart Charities
PetSmart Charities wants to end animal homelessness, and they're doing it by investing in over 2,800 animal welfare charities all over North America. Their efforts have facilitated 1 out of every 10 pet adoptions in America- that's over 5 million pets. Visit their homepage for a slew of other truly impressive statistics.
International Rescue Committee
Over 65 million people around the world were displaced from their homes because of war, conflict or persecution in 2015, a level not seen since World War II.
The International Rescue Committee is a group highly rated by charity trackers and professionals that helps refugees at every juncture. The group has worked to set up a reception center on the Greek island of Lesbos, where many Syrians seeking refuge in Europe land after traversing the dangerous route — often on rubber dinghies — from Turkey.
Beyond food and shelter, it also provides health care and protection services for women and children, and programs to help develop long-term job skills. The group also helps resettle refugees in cities across the United States.
African Wildlife Foundation
There was a moment in 2017, when the Trump Administration considered allowing the hunting of African elephants and their importation as trophies in the USA. Thankfully, and after a very loud public outcry, the decision was reversed. The elephant though remains one of the most endangered species in the world.
The AWF, together with the people of Africa, works to ensure the wildlife and wild lands of Africa will endure forever. AWF is the leading international conservation organization focused solely on Africa. We believe that protecting Africa's wildlife and wild landscapes is the key to the future prosperity of Africa and its people. The AWF has received one of the highest grades on Charity Navigator.
Homes for our Troops
With a mission of Building Homes, Rebuilding Lives, Homes for our Troops builds and adapts homes for injured veterans. During Veterans Day, HFOT, has a celebrity auction that has attracted the likes of Cher and George Clooney who donate items for the charity.