Rec. #861: Give Money to Electric Literature

Electric Literature is "a nonprofit digital publisher with the mission to make literature more exciting, relevant, and inclusive."

It began as a quarterly journal in 2009, became a nonprofit in 2014, and has truly blossomed under the editor-in-chief reign of Jess Zimmerman (which began in 2017).

See the Electric Literature website for info on how to support its work.

For an example, see Rec. #616.

Rec. #857: Give Money to Fair Fight

Fair Fight's mission is to "promote fair elections in Georgia and around the country, encourage voter participation in elections, and educate voters about elections and their voting rights."

You can donate directly to the "Fair Fight 2020" effort here. 

Rec. #849: Give Money to RAICES

The Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services (RAICES) provides free and low-cost legal services to underserved immigrant children, families, and refugees.

Learn more: Rec. #577 and Rec. #702

 

Friday Flashback: Rec. #756: Women & Children First

Chicago Series

What the organization does: Chicago's Women & Children First is one of the largest feminist bookstores in the country. The store's mission is to promote the writing of women and other marginalized voices and to offer a place where everyone can find books reflecting their lives and interests in an atmosphere in which they are respected, valued, and well-served.

Where to learn more: https://www.womenandchildrenfirst.com/wcf-history-and-purpose

How to help: https://crossroadsfund.org/content/womens-voices-fund


Find more independent local bookstores at IndieBound.org.

Rec. #816: The Art Institute of Chicago

Chicago Series

What: The Art Institute of Chicago is one of the largest museums in the United States, and one of the best art museums in the world. The collection includes iconic works from Seurat and Hopper, but perhaps you know the museum best from Ferris Bueller's Day Off.

And let's not forget the gorgeous and huge Modern Wing, which is celebrating its ten anniversary this year, or the visitor-favorite Thorne Miniature Rooms, which Wes Anderson praised during an interview with Terry Gross (very on-brand for all parties involved).

How to get it: Be sure to see if you qualify for free admission. If you can't get there in person, you can also explore the collection via Google Arts & Culture.

Rec. #788: Strand Tote Bags

What: Of course, the Strand is a major NYC bookseller, with its taglined "18 miles of books." You may not have realized, though, that it's also a great place to purchase bags for carrying your new books (or whatever).

The bags come in all sorts of shapes, sizes, and designs. Crucially for me, many of the totes now have zippered main pockets and interior pockets, making them ideal for travel. 

Comparable to: Tempted by Baggu? Do this instead and support an independent bookseller.

How to get it: If you're in NYC, la-di-da, good for you, go in person. If you're not, you can also browse and buy on the Strand website.

While you're there, you might also check out their current petition.

List #70: All of the Organizations I've Highlighted This Month

Amnesty International: Rec. #712

The Bail Project: Rec. #724

Center for Reproductive Rights: Rec. #728

Donors Choose: Rec. #734

EMILY's List: Rec. #732

Feeding America: Rec. #742

Guardian US: Rec. #714

International Rescue Committee (IRC): Rec. #744

Kids in Need of Defense (KIND): Rec. #722

Midwest Access Coalition (MAC): Rec. #704

Muslim Justice League (MJL): Rec. #752

NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund (LDF): Rec. #746

National Domestic Workers Alliance: Rec. #716

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Rec. #750

Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC): Rec. #754

Navajo Water Project: Rec. #740

The Partnership for Civil Justice Fund (PCJF): Rec. #708

The Public Theater: Rec. #710

Rape, Abuse & Invest National Network (RAINN): Rec. #730

Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services (RAICES): Rec. #702

Reproaction: Rec. #748

Save the Internet: Rec. #726

Survived & Punished (S&P): Rec. #758

Trans Lifeline: Rec. #718

The Trevor Project: Rec. #738

We Need Diverse Books (WNDB): Rec. #706

Women & Children First: Rec. #756

Women for Women International: Rec. #720

Women's Refugee Commission: Rec. #736

Rec. #758: Survived & Punished (S&P)

What the organization does: S&P is a national project to end the criminalization of survivors of domestic and sexual violence.

Where to learn more: 

https://survivedandpunished.org/about/ 

https://survivedandpunished.org/projects/

How to help: 

https://survivedandpunished.org/donate/

https://survivedandpunished.org/resources/

 

Rec. #756: Women & Children First

Or another independent bookstore of your choosing!!

What the organization does: Women & Children First, in Chicago, is one of the largest feminist bookstores in the country. The store's mission is to promote the writing of women and other marginalized voices and to offer a place where everyone can find books reflecting their lives and interests in an atmosphere in which they are respected, valued, and well-served.

Where to learn more: https://www.womenandchildrenfirst.com/wcf-history-and-purpose

How to help: https://crossroadsfund.org/content/womens-voices-fund


Find more independent local bookstores at IndieBound.org.

Rec. #754: Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)

What the organization does: NRDC is a nonprofit environmental advocacy group.

Where to learn more:

https://www.nrdc.org/work

https://www.nrdc.org/about

How to help:

https://www.nrdc.org/get-involved

https://act.nrdc.org/donate/one-time-gift

 

Rec. #752: Muslim Justice League (MJL)

What the organization does: MJL educates, organizes, and advocates to protect human and civil rights that are violated or threatened under national security pretexts.

Where to learn more:

https://www.muslimjusticeleague.org/our-work/

https://www.muslimjusticeleague.org/our-people/

How to help: https://www.muslimjusticeleague.org/support/ 

Rec. #750: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

What the organization does: The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a United States-based suicide prevention network of 161 crisis centers that provides a 24/7, toll-free hotline available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.

Where to learn more: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/about/

How to help: 
https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/participate/
https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/donate/

Rec. #748: Reproaction

What the organization does: Reproaction works to increase access to abortion and advance reproductive rights.

Where to learn more: https://reproaction.org/about/

How to help:
https://reproaction.org/take-action/
https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/reproaction
https://reproaction.org/resources/

Rec. #746: NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund (LDF)

What the organization does: LDF is a nonprofit legal organization fighting for racial justice through litigation, advocacy, and public education.

Where to learn more: 

https://www.naacpldf.org/about-us/

https://www.naacpldf.org/our-impact/

How to help: https://www.naacpldf.org/support/

Rec. #744: International Rescue Committee (IRC)

What the organization does: The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises and offers emergency aid and long-term assistance to refugees and those displaced by war, persecution, or natural disaster.

Where to learn more: 

https://www.rescue.org/who-we-are

https://www.rescue.org/where-we-work

https://www.rescue.org/what-we-do

How to help: https://www.rescue.org/how-to-help

Rec. #742: Feeding America

What the organization does: Feeding America is a nationwide network of more than 200 food banks that feed more than 46 million people through food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, and other community-based agencies.

Where to learn more:
https://www.feedingamerica.org/our-work
https://www.feedingamerica.org/about-us

How to help:
https://www.feedingamerica.org/take-action
https://www.feedingamerica.org/ways-to-give
https://www.feedingamerica.org/find-your-local-foodbank

Rec. #740: Navajo Water Project

What the organization does: The Navajo Water Project is a program of the DigDeep Right to Water Project, a nonprofit that plans locally-led water projects that bring clean, running water to American communities in need.

Where to learn more: 

https://www.navajowaterproject.org/project-specifics/

https://digdeep.org/

http://uswateralliance.org/organization/navajo-water-project

How to help: https://www.navajowaterproject.org/give/

Rec. #738: The Trevor Project

What the organization does: The Trevor Project is a national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ) young people under 25.

Where to learn more: https://www.thetrevorproject.org/about/

How to help: 

https://give.thetrevorproject.org/give/63307/#!/donation/checkout

https://www.thetrevorproject.org/get-involved/

Rec. #736: Women's Refugee Commission

What the organization does: The Women's Refugee Commission improves the lives and protects the rights of women, children and youth displaced by conflict and crisis.

Where to learn more:
https://www.womensrefugeecommission.org/
https://www.womensrefugeecommission.org/about
https://www.womensrefugeecommission.org/issues

How to help: https://www.womensrefugeecommission.org/donate-now

Rec. #734: Donors Choose

What the organization does: Donors Choose connects teachers in high-need communities with donors who want to help.

Where to learn more: https://www.donorschoose.org/about

How to help: 

https://help.donorschoose.org/hc/en-us/sections/200334308-Ways-to-donate

https://www.donorschoose.org/donors/search.html