In It Together: Lifting Other Advocates Up This Giving Tuesday
For the past few years, Faunalytics has published a blog ahead of Giving Tuesday in which our team members personally choose nonprofit organizations to highlight, in an effort to uplift our fellow animal advocates. Our goal is twofold: to bring greater awareness to unsettling trends in charitable giving, and to facilitate connections between donors and the potentially overlooked organizations they might not yet know about.
This blog series has been inspired by research on inequity in philanthropy. After diving into reports on the topic, three of our organizational values (Stay True to the Data, Cultivate Compassion, and Collaborate for Shared Success), illuminated our path. We may not have the ability to fix such deeply rooted inequities ourselves, but that doesn’t mean we cannot try. Being guided by data and heart might not be mutually exclusive after all.
Nonprofit Organizations Need Your Support
It’s a tough time for nonprofit organizations. Charitable giving has declined when adjusted for inflation and fundraising during an election year can be particularly challenging. Furthermore, we know that animal causes in particular receive even less than other social sector areas – less than 3% of all charitable giving in the United States – and organizations that help farmed animals are particularly neglected.
It is therefore vital that anyone who believes in a future free from animal suffering actively supports the organizations working to make that vision a reality. Support comes in many forms, but for those who have the means, donating to the causes that are working to change attitudes, beliefs, behaviors, policies, and laws for animals is one of the best ways to make a difference.
The Considerations Of A Donor
When opening up one’s wallet to give back, it can be quite challenging to figure out just where to give. Not all organizations are created equal, and every donor has different goals in their giving. Some people give with their heart, and others are focused on the world’s most pressing problems, emphasizing how to be as effective as possible as a donor given that there is only so much to go around.
But there’s an aspect of charitable giving that isn’t often factored: inequity in philanthropy. We’ve covered this in our last two Giving Tuesday blogs on the topic. Research from Race To Lead and The Bridgespan Group has found that white-led nonprofits experience several advantages compared to leaders/fundraisers who identify as a person of color or LGBTQIA, with the latter groups much more likely to report a lack of relationships with funding sources as a challenge or frustration in their work.
Breaking Down Barriers
With this in mind, the Faunalytics team strives to provide connections between funders and other organizations working on animal protection issues, with a focus on those who might not get as much attention from the philanthropic community. As before, we aren’t suggesting these organizations based on a specific definition of effectiveness. We’re simply encouraging donors to consider all the data available, knowing that our movement needs more than just a few organizations to be successful. We all play a part in this quest to end animal suffering, and the more we lift each other up, the sooner we might get there.
We hope you’ll join us in supporting these groups (as well as those we highlighted in 2022 and 2023) this Giving Season. Should you wish to support Faunalytics’ own animal advocacy research, please click here.
ACTAsia
As the daughter of a teacher, I believe that education is one of the most important levers we can pull in our effort to make change. In addition to ACTAsia's education program, they're also focused on plant-forward initiatives and fur-free campaigns. Given the scale of animal suffering in China and Southeast Asia, it's vital to support organizations working hard in that region.
Companions and Animals for Reform and Equity
The work they do is important because they are seeking to fill a gap in animal welfare where marginalized communities are often underrepresented and underserved. Their research team goes into the field to speak directly with impacted communities so animal welfare solutions can be tailored to the needs of communities that are often overlooked.
Chilis on Wheels
Chilis on Wheels is a female-founded/led organization that feeds communities in need, seeking to dismantle systemic inequalities that prevent veganism from being attainable to poor and low-income communities. One of its coolest initiatives: they have a plant-based community fridge!
Global Advocates and Allies
With a holistic approach, they tackle essential issues such as pet advocacy, including raising awareness with landlords, providing financial assistance for pet care, and supporting individuals who have lost income by offering reemployment services. By supporting Global Advocates and Allies, you are helping create a more equitable world where both people and animals can thrive.
Animal Libre
I’m so inspired to see the work that Animal Libre is accomplishing through their Interdisciplinary Training Program. This program provides the foundation for professionals to apply knowledge about plant-based nutrition and respect for other animals in their practice. Taught by specialists from the region with extensive academic experience and training, the program represents a significant opportunity for learning and up-to-date mentoring.
Sociedade Vegetariana Brasileira
Not only is this organization excellent at promoting plant-based diets throughout Brazil, but they are a key organizing element of the movement in the Latin American continent. I'm inspired by their work every time I see a new program or event they've launched!
Spanky Project
The Spanky Project has been a lifeline for animals and their people in Cuba, empowering local communities to improve animal welfare through sustainable solutions. I've witnessed firsthand the powerful difference they make—not only in the lives of animals but also in strengthening communities. Supporting the Spanky Project means investing in compassionate care, community health, and hope for Cuba’s companion animals and their humans.
Te Protejo
Not only are they engaged in a cause area that's near and dear to my heart (and one that's somewhat neglected within current animal advocacy), but I've been fortunate enough to connect with the amazing advocates from this organization in person at conferences, and am consistently impressed with their energy and approach.
The Raven Corps.
As someone passionate about collective liberation, I'd like to shout out organizations that espouse this mission! The Raven Corps is one of these—they are a youth-led organization that empowers young activists to campaign against animal industries from a systemic lens that incorporates the harms to people and the planet as well.
Transforming Culture
Transforming Culture is a gem in the animal advocacy space that I think deserves more of our attention. They provide training and resources on conflict navigation and effective communication strategies, done through the lens of understanding white supremacy, dominant culture, and oppressive systems. I’ve personally met their founder, and he’s spoken passionately about the need to build cultures of trust within our organizations. This offering is truly unique in the movement, and I highly encourage supporting it!
To learn more about other ways that Faunalytics is working to address inequity in our organization and in the movement, please visit our Commitment to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility.
