This Thursday marks the third annual incarnation of Give Miami Day, a 24-hour extravaganza of philanthropic giving designed to boost the coffers of our community's needy nonprofits.
Last year's big day raised a record $3.2 million, and they're hoping to up the ante this year.
If you're looking to lend a helping hand to a charitable cause, there are lots of organizations working to improve Miami in some of the areas the city needs it most. According to the Miami Foundation's (creators of Give Miami Day) recent report, the city could stand to improve in a host of areas. They filled us in on 16 nonprofits working to improve the 305 in those specific areas.
See also: Foundation Report: Miami Spends More on Housing, Transportation Than New York
Arts & Culture
Reading Queer: This unique organization promotes queer literary culture in South Florida by hosting an annual, week-long festival, creative writing workshops with nationally and locally recognized queer writers, a literary salon series, and a literary archive.
Saint Martha Concerts and Cultural Affairs: This group works to make music accessible to all by holding world-class concerts at movie ticket prices.
Civic Engagement
MCCJ: This organization works to promote understanding and respect among all cultures, religions and races, with the end goal of eliminating intolerance.
ReServe South Florida: This innovative concept is all about matching older professionals (55+) with organizations that need their expertise, helping to fill staffing gaps at affordable prices.
Economy
Farmworker Association of Florida: This group advocates for better living and working conditions (and justice, overall) for farmworker families and communities.
Suited for Success/Dress for Success: This nonprofit supports disadvantaged women and helps them towards economic independence with professional clothes, a network of support and career development tools.
Education
uAspire: This project partners with high schools, community organizations, and colleges to provide college affordability advice to help all young people find a path to post-secondary education.
Leadership Learning Center: This facility is dedicated to facilitating positive change in Little Havana by looking at the big picture when it comes to children's education -- fostering self-respect and self-esteem in kids through personal and academic achievement, involving parents and bridging connections to social services.
Environment & Public Space
Biscayne Nature Center: Located at the tip of Crandon Park, this facility is all about environmental education and preserving our majestic local ecosystem.
South Florida National Parks Trust: This trust helps to support South Florida's national parks (Everglades National Park, Biscayne National Park, Dry Tortugas National Park and Big Cypress National Preserve) in order to increase local quality of life.
Health & Safety
Women's Breast Health Initiative: This outreach effort is dedicated to educating women about the importance of breast and heart health while providing them with the resources to beat diseases affecting these areas.
Fresh Start Family Services Fresh Start serves as a single access point for families in need ofsupport and resources to help them achieve self-sufficiency.
Housing & Affordability
Riverside Christian Ministries: This organization helps guide men and women convicted of crimes into productive, positive lives by using a nondenominational, faith-based approach.
Opa-locka CDC: This group is all about improving Opa Locka by constructing and repairing homes, building parks and playgrounds, providing wellness programs, educating kids and engaging residents.
Transportation
Green Mobility Network: This eco-conscious network is a group of organizations that are working to make the 305 a safer (and more enjoyable) place to bike, run, and walk.
Rails-to-Trails Conservancy: This endeavor is collaborating to create a nationwide network of trails from former rail lines. They want to see 90 percent of Americans living within three miles of a trail system by 2020.
You can give to any of the above groups, or pick from dozens of others at givemiamiday.org starting at 12:10 a.m. on Thursday.
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