15 Ways To Give Back This Holiday Season

No one needs another gift card to disappear into the wallet abyss or a sweater that will never fit. Charitable donations are great gifts for those who have everything, or do it just because it makes you feel great and helps out those in need...win-win!

1. The Salvation Army

Salvation Army / Via salvationarmyusa.org

This organization has history dating back to the late 1800's and continues to provide help and assistance to families and veterans within your community, international aid, and disaster relief. Find out more about the good they're doing in the world here or learn how you can help here.

2. Action Against Hunger

Action Against Hunger / Via actionagainsthunger.org.uk

One million children die every year from malnutrition and another 17 million suffer from severe malnutrition. Action against hunger provides aid to over 45 different countries around the world by treating and preventing malnutrition and strengthening public healthcare systems. Learn more here or take action here.

3. American Refugee Committee

Global Impact / Via charity.org

ARC works with refugee communities in 11 countries, providing opportunities and knowledge to displaced people while helping them to survive conflict and crisis and ultimately gain health, security, and self-sufficiency. Learn about who and how they're helping here and learn what you can do here.

4. charity: water

charity: water / Via charitywater.org

Over 600 million people around the world do not have access to clean water. This non-profit works to provide clean and safe drinking water to people in developing nations. Learn more about their work here or do your part here.

5. Doctors Without Borders

Doctors Without Borders / Via doctorswithoutborders.org

Over 60 countries are aided by this charity that battles maternal and child mortality, preventable diseases with vaccines and routine health interventions, war zone injuries, and lack of access to medications...just to name a few. Learn more about how they're changing the world here and how you can help here.

6. Virunga National Park

Virunga National Park / Via telegraph.co.uk

If you've been living under a rock for the past year and somehow managed to not see this heart-wrenching Netflix documentary, stop what you're doing and watch it NOW. Learn more about the tireless efforts to protect endangered gorillas, elephants and other species inhabiting the national park here and how your donation helps here.

7. Kindred Image

The Drop Box / Via thedropboxfilm.com

Another charity gaining awareness thanks to its Netflix Documentary, The Drop Box is a beautifully tragic story of how many babies are orphaned in South Korea, sometimes in circumstances which they can't survive, and how a local pastor decided to help give them a fighting chance. Learn more about how children are being helped here and get involved here.

8. The Trevor Project

The Trevor Project / Via thetrevorproject.org

Through its accredited free and confidential crisis intervention services, The Trevor Project helps to save young lives by providing the largest safe social networking community for LGBTQ youth and suicide prevention. Learn about how they're helping here and what you can do here.

9. Mental Health America

Mental Health America of Greater Houston / Via mhahouston.org

This community-based nonprofit helps to address the needs of those living with mental illness and overall mental health of Americans by providing prevention services, integrated care and treatment, and promoting mental health as a critical part of overall wellness. Find out more here and learn about how you can help here.

10. Meals on Wheels

The Telegraph / Via telegraph.co.uk

More than 5,000 independently-run local programs across America provide meals, companionship, and awareness for the safety of seniors in the community. There's a wide range of ways to help, from donating your time to raising awareness to making a charitable contribution. Learn about how they're helping here and do your part here.

11. Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund

EJ Hersom/Deparment of Defense / Via ausa.org

Military personnel that have been severely injured and their families are provided services to help improve their medical care and aid their ability to return to a healthy, productive life. Learn more about their efforts here and how you can help here.

12. Global Fund for Women

Global Fund for Women / Via globalfundforwomen.org

The belief that women all over the world should be able to vote, own property, hold political office, receive wages equal to those of their male counterparts, and live free from violence is at the heart of this organization. They invest in the organizations and movements of strong women, while changing laws and policies to provide better opportunities for women and girls globally. Learn more here and show your support here.

13. Global Green USA

Global Green / Via globalgreen.org

Global Green works to educate individuals and communities about climate change and how they can make their lifestyles more sustainable, build more environmentally conscious communities and cities, and promote a shift toward a more ecologically responsible future. Learn more here and help the fight for our planet here.

14. American Foundation for Children with AIDS

American Foundation for Children with AIDS / Via afcaids.org

This nonprofit provides much needed support and treatment to children infected or affected by HIV/AIDS. They work in communities that are in greatest need of assistance in Kenya, Uganda, Zimbabwe, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Find out more here or get involved here.

15. Cancer Research Institute

Cancer Research Institute / Via Facebook: CancerResearchInstituteInc

This cancer research nonprofit helps to develop immune-based treatments to cancer. They fund innovative research while partnering with other institutes to create a powerful impact in the quest to cure cancer. Learn more here and support their cause here.