Giving back is an amazing feeling! Especially this year, with so many people around the world struggling, Impact is proud to continue our tradition of making a donation in the name of every member of our staff. Each Impact team member has selected a nonprofit organization to receive their #GivingTuesday donation.

Here are our #GivingTuesday picks this year:

Heather: I am so excited this #GivingTuesday to donate to my little hometown library, Fletcher Memorial Library. Libraries are magical places filled with books and magazines that transport us to other worlds. This was even more important during the pandemic, when they shared resources curbside and distributed materials throughout the community. With their usual fundraising events cancelled, they have been reaching out for grants and private donations to fill in the loss. And on a personal note, I worked there from ages 13-20 as their children’s librarian.

Kathy: The District of Columbia has lost nearly 60,000 private sector jobs this year, and low-wage, Black and Brown workers have been hardest hit. I’m donating to The ONE DC Black Workers & Wellness Center. This member-led community and wellness space in Anacostia builds racial and economic justice through popular education, direct action, the incubation of economic alternatives to low-wage work, and artistic expression. In partnership with the Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs, the Center also provides low-wage workers with free legal advice on employment matters.

Jamie: I chose The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). They are the nation’s leading voice on mental health, working to educate, advocate, listen, and lead to improve the lives of people with mental illness and their loved ones. While 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. lives with a mental health condition, we know that in reality, 5 out of every 5 of us are likely affected by someone we know, live with, work with, or care about who is dealing with mental illness. Especially during such a challenging year, remember to be kind to yourself and others. We often don’t know what others are going through.

Jen: I was recently fortunate to tour the renovated Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library in downtown D.C. and was awed by how the space is redefining what a library means in today’s world. It’s truly a community center, with facilities that include everything from a tutoring and digital literacy center to an audio recording studio and 3D printing lab. Libraries are one of the last bastions of the brick-and-mortar “public square,” and the inclusivity and intentionality in the redesigned space makes it clear that it is genuinely for everyone. I am giving to the D.C. Public Library Foundation so that other library spaces can proceed on this path, and that these critical public spaces remain available long after the pandemic has ended.

Julie: Miriam’s Kitchen has been there for our D.C. neighbors experiencing homelessness throughout the COVID-19 crisis. Miriam’s is a literal lifeline, providing healthy meals and holistic case management services—while advocating for policies to eventually end the homelessness crisis in our community. And I can tell you firsthand that their kitchen is an incredibly fun place to volunteer!

Onyi: I chose St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital because they are dedicated to providing the best care for children battling cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing, or food. Helping children who are sick is deeply rewarding.

Meg: I am choosing Capital Area Food Bank for my Giving Tuesday donation. During this challenging year, people need help everywhere and with almost everything. But access to healthy food underlies so many of these needs. Capital Area Food Bank developed innovative ways to serve our D.C. community—following COVID-safe protocols all while facing an overwhelming increase in need of their services. I’m glad to do what I can to help.

Kim: The organization I selected is UNCF. Without their help, college would be out of the reach for many Black households. Both of my parents attended Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and I followed in their footsteps. The financial assistance we received made it possible to obtain a college degree which opened the door to meaningful careers. UNCF gives financial support to 37 historically Black colleges and universities, providing opportunity for many students to continue their education and earn a college degree.

Hannah: In honor of my pandemic puppy, I’ve chosen the Charlottesville Albemarle SPCA. They rescued my boy, Finley, from a North Carolina high-kill shelter and adopting him was the best decision I’ve made. He has been a source of joy, comfort, and entertainment during this especially difficult year.