We encourage you to give or volunteer for causes that are important to you, and if you are in need, seek assistance. While this is in no way a comprehensive listing, here are links to non-profit charitable organizations that operate in Chicago[1]. All are confirmed valid, legal charities. All provide direct services to Chicagoans unless otherwise noted. We also believe these agencies are goth and alternative lifestyle friendly. More Chicago charitable organizations will continually be added.
WISE GIVING | Animals | Civil Rights | Environmental | Food Assistance | GLBTQ | HIV/AIDS | Homeless | Immigration | Legal Assistance | Low Income | Substance Abuse Treatment | Theatre & Arts | Violence Recovery | Women | Youth | NATIONAL
WISE GIVING: Research before you give
A healthy dose of cynicism may save you from lost money, embarrassment and even physical danger. If you don't lose money to scam charities, you'll have more to give to real ones. These sites will guide you toward wise giving choices and away from scam artists. You can also find listings of charities and detailed information about their practices. Visit Charity Navigator, the Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance, and Charity Watch from the American Institute of Philanthropy (AIP).
Animals
"MFA is dedicated to promoting nonviolence towards all sentient beings through public education campaigns and demonstrations, undercover investigations, and open rescues."
A no-kill shelter for cats, dogs and rabbits. Donate, volunteer or adopt a pet.
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Civil Rights
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Environmental
Provides links to environmental organizations throughout Chicago.
Provides recycling, re-use and other environmental information.
Designated park advocacy organization, dedicated to preserving, protecting, and improving Chicago's parks and forest preserves for all citizens.
Regional organization provides information on recycling and re-use.
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Food Assistance
Not-for-profit organization with the mission of alleviating hunger in our community. Provides on-site food distribution, a home delivery service, free clothing, and case management. Needs food distribution volunteers, donations of food and money.
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GLBTQ
Creates a liaison between students, educators, parents to address issues experienced by GLBTQ youth. Contact for volunteer and sponsorship opportunities.
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HIV/AIDS
Collaborates with community organizations to develop and improve HIV/AIDS services; fund and coordinate prevention, care, and advocacy projects; and champion effective, compassionate HIV/AIDS policy. Accepts volunteers, donations, internships.
HIV/AIDS education, case management, prevention, housing and wellness assistance; free HIV testing; substance abuse prevention. Accepts volunteers and donations; services differ at each location.
Provides permanent, community-based housing, supportive services and basic life skills to individuals, families and children struggling with HIV and AIDS. Needs volunteers and donations.
Provides prevention education, advocacy and support for women at risk or living with HIV in the Chicago area.
The mission of Howard Brown Health Center is to promote the well-being of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons through the provision of health care and wellness programs, including clinical, educational, social service and research activities. To further this aim Howard Brown runs Brown Elephant Resale Shop to help raise funds for HIV/AIDS care, the Broadway Youth Center offering comprehensive services to all youth, 24 and under, as well as the TRIAD clinic.
Community organization provides education and information; addresses the health and social support needs of African American families who are at risk for negative health and life outcomes. Resource for housing, youth, mental health, HIV/AIDS education and prevention, communicable disease education, substance abuse prevention, counseling and more.
TPAN empowers people living with HIV through peer-led programming, support services, information dissemination, and advocacy. Also provides services to the broader community to increase HIV knowledge and sensitivity, and to reduce the risk of infection.
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Homeless
Provides permanent, community-based housing, supportive services and basic life skills to individuals, families and children struggling with HIV and AIDS. Needs volunteers and donations.
Serves women in Chicago who are homeless or formerly homeless. Food, shelter and supportive services are provided by dedicated volunteers and staff so that women can become empowered to take back and maintain control over their lives.
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Immigration
Provides assistance with health care and social service needs of immigrants, refugees, and the Asian American community in general in Chicago.
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Legal Assistance
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Low Income
Provides permanent, community-based housing, supportive services and basic life skills to individuals, families and children struggling with HIV and AIDS. Needs volunteers and donations.
Assists low-income individuals and families in Rogers Park to stabilize their lives and develop the social skills necessary to become effective community members.
Not-for-profit organization with the mission of alleviating hunger in our community. Provides on-site food distribution, a home delivery service, free clothing, and case management. Needs food distribution volunteers, donations of food and money.
Community organization provides education and information; addresses the health and social support needs of African American families who are at risk for negative health and life outcomes. Resource for housing, youth, mental health, HIV/AIDS education and prevention, communicable disease education, substance abuse prevention, counseling and more.
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Substance Abuse Treatment
Provides counseling experience and expertise to healing and helping men, women and children who are struggling with mental illness, substance addiction, emotional trauma and the aftermath of violence.
Substance abuse prevention, treatment and recovery programs.
Community organization provides education and information; addresses the health and social support needs of African American families who are at risk for negative health and life outcomes. Resource for housing, youth, mental health, HIV/AIDS education and prevention, communicable disease education, substance abuse prevention, counseling and more.
TASC works with state administrative bodies, public systems, and community-based agencies across Illinois to deliver comprehensive recovery management services to individuals with substance abuse and mental health disorders. TASC's services also address related issues such as criminal and delinquent behavior, under-employment, housing, and under-education.
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Theatre & Arts
Chicago's award-winning company dedicated to creating performances and programs that use the lenses of gender and sexuality to examine universal human concerns. Provides theatre education to youth through youth outreach program. Production proceeds are frequently donated to GLBTQ agencies in Chicago. Accepts donations.
Community-supported, non-commercial public service broadcasting institution, broadcasting throughout Chicago and surrounding regions at WBEZ 91.5 FM Chicago, WBEQ 90.7 FM Morris, and WBEW 89.5 FM Chesterton, Indiana. Eclectic and innovative programming. From news and public affairs to music and arts, the station’s distinctive selection of internationally, nationally, and locally produced programs reflects the diversity of the community it serves.
Various community and social development programs throughout Chicago: Arts programs, Child Welfare, Domestic Violence Initiative, Housing Resource Center, Senior Services, Small Business Development Unit, Policy and Advocacy, Human Relations Foundation, Hull House Foundation, National Training Center.
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Violence Recovery
Provides counseling experience and expertise to healing and helping men, women and children who are struggling with mental illness, substance addiction, emotional trauma and the aftermath of violence.
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Women
Provides prevention education, advocacy and support for women at risk or living with HIV in the Chicago area.
Serves women in Chicago who are homeless or formerly homeless. Food, shelter and supportive services are provided by dedicated volunteers and staff so that women can become empowered to take back and maintain control over their lives.
Various community and social development programs throughout Chicago: Arts programs, Child Welfare, Domestic Violence Initiative, Housing Resource Center, Senior Services, Small Business Development Unit, Policy and Advocacy, Human Relations Foundation, Hull House Foundation, National Training Center.
Open-minded family planning agency offers sexual and reproductive health care, including family planning, gynecological care, STI/STD testing and treatment, pregnancy testing, and abortion services.
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Youth
Global organization focused on the needs of children, particularly in disaster areas and areas with extreme low income.
Community organization provides education and information; addresses the health and social support needs of African American families who are at risk for negative health and life outcomes. Resource for housing, youth, mental health, HIV/AIDS education and prevention, communicable disease education, substance abuse prevention, counseling and more.
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National & Global organizations with local impact
National organization provides information on socially responsible companies, investments and green consumerism.
Provides recycling, re-use and other environmental information.
Online charitable giving organization raises funds for local, national, and global issues and disasters. Partners with local organizations in California, Illinois, Louisiana, and others to recruit volunteers and raise funds for various causes.
Company provides long distance phone, wireless, and credit card services the use of which provides donations to socially aware non-profits. Also provides activism, volunteer, and other information about socially responsible consumerism via Working for Change.
