Cause For A Card / Non-Profits Supported

Here Comes the Card donates 50% of its member fees to select charitable organizations, each chosen for its dedicated commitment and proven ability to utilize funds efficiently and effectively. From helping children in need to tackling healthcare and environmental issues, find your cause for a card.

Here Comes the Card reviews and updates the non-profit selections periodically. If you have a charity you would like us to consider, please let us know.

Africare works to improve the quality of life in Africa. Only through strong communities will Africa be able to feed its people, appropriately exploit its natural resources, and educate, care for and protect its children. Operating in partnership with African communities since 1970, Africare’s mission is to achieve healthy and productive societies—and a peaceful life for all who call Africa home.

America’s children are overweight. By empowering kids to make healthy lifestyle choices, the Alliance for a Healthier Generation hopes to change that and stop the nationwide increase of obesity among children by 2010. Its focus is on outreach to homes, schools, restaurants, doctor’s offices, and the community—all places of influence in children’s lives.

If you have a relative or friend suffering from a critical illness, you’ve experienced the benefits and importance that hospice care provides. The goal of the American Hospice Foundation is to improve access to quality hospice care through public education, professional training, and advocacy on behalf of critically ill patients and their families.

The American Red Cross mobilizes volunteers focused on helping others. Through more than 800 locally supported chapters, more than 15 million people each year gain the skills they need to prepare for and respond to emergencies in their homes, communities and world. Last year alone, the non-profit organized volunteers and aid to help victims in more 72,000 disasters.

A world where all people can experience power of live performance, where art and ideas circulate without censorship and where communities from all cultural backgrounds can interact—those ideals are at the core of the Association of Performing Arts Presenters'' mission. The non-profit’s focus is bringing performing artists and audiences together in every place and way imaginable. The organization promotes creative thinking, professional development, resource sharing, and advocacy in support of individuals who create and disseminate the performing arts.

Best Buddies is determined to end social isolation for people with intellectual disabilities by establishing meaningful one-on-one friendships with non-disabled peers. These friendships help increase self-esteem, confidence and the abilities of people with and without intellectual disabilities. The group’s outreach includes work middle schools, high schools and colleges, community groups, and corporate employers focusing on the emotional, functional and natural needs and abilities of people with intellectual disabilities. Best Buddies has volunteers in 50 states and to date has touched the lives of more than 500,000 individuals.

As the oldest, largest and most effective youth mentoring organization in the United States, Big Brothers Big Sisters has provided one-to-one youth service for more than a century. The group helps to develop positive relationships that have a direct and lasting impact on the lives of young people. Big Brothers Big Sisters mentors children, ages 6 through 18, in communities across the country. The Big Brothers Big Sisters mission is to help children reach their potential through professionally supported, one-to-one relationships with mentors that have a measurable impact on youth.

The mission of Boundless Playgrounds is simple: For every child, a place to play. That means for every child of every ability in every community—no exceptions. Boundless Playgrounds helps communities create extraordinary playgrounds where all children, with and without disabilities, can develop essential skills for life as they learn together through play. A cornerstone of the organization’s work is rooted in the belief that play is a way for children to develop self esteem and other essential life skills.

Brother's Brother Foundation (BBF) helps bridge the divide that often exists between available resources and people in need. Founded in 1958, BFF promotes international health and education through the efficient and effective distribution of donated medical, educational, agricultural and other resources. To date, the non-profit has helped distribute more than $1.5 billion in services and provisions to people in need in more than 120 countries around the world.

A leading humanitarian organization fighting global poverty, CARE works alongside poor women because, with the proper resources, women have the power to help whole families and entire communities escape poverty. CARE's community-based efforts are focused on improving basic education, preventing the spread of HIV, increasing access to clean water and sanitation, expanding economic opportunity and protecting natural resources. CARE also delivers emergency aid to survivors of war and natural disasters, and helps people rebuild their lives.

Providing programs and services that make the lives of disabled veterans and their families better is the sole purpose of the Disabled American Veterans Charitable Service Trust. To date, the organization has helped more than 1.2 million veterans and their families. The group provides free assistance to veterans to obtain benefits and services. The organization receives no government funds and, since its start, has been fully funded by membership dues and public contributions.

Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) delivers emergency aid to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, natural or man-made disasters, or exclusion from health care in more than 70 countries. The group’s support during a crisis is based solely on an independent assessment of people's needs, not on political, economic, or religious interests. MSF backs its direct medical care with a commitment to speaking out against the causes of suffering and the obstacles to providing effective assistance. MSF volunteers raise the concerns of their patients with governments, the United Nations, other international bodies, the general public, and the media.

The role animals play in our lives is remarkable, especially for handicapped individuals. Dogs for the Deaf rescues and professionally trains dogs to assist people and enhance their lives. The group maintains a lifelong commitment to all dogs rescued and individuals they serve. Hearing Dogs are chosen from animal shelters—saving many from euthanization. By using shelter dogs, we are able to rescue dogs that would otherwise face euthanization. Once trained, these adopted dogs are placed in loving homes where they provide valuable, often life-saving benefits.

Mother Earth deserves everyone’s respect. That’s what the founders of Earth Day have advocated since the early 1970s. Earth Day Network (EDN) is a driving for environmental awareness around the world. Through the network, activists connect, interact, and impact their communities, and create positive change in local, national, and global policies. The group reaches over 15,000 organizations in 174 countries, while the domestic program keeps over 5,000 groups and over 100,000 educators coordinating millions of community development and environmental protection activities throughout the year. Earth Day is the only event celebrated simultaneously around the globe by people of all backgrounds, faiths and nationalities. More than a half billion people participate in our campaigns every year.

In 15 years, the Elton John AIDS Foundation has raised over $125 million to support programs focused on individuals living with or at risk for HIV/AIDS. The non-profit’s reach is worldwide, including programs in more than 55 countries worldwide, providing community-based prevention education programs, harm reduction programs, and direct services to persons living with HIV/AIDS, especially populations with special needs.

Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research Foundation is dedicated to finding the cause—and cure—of Alzheimer’s. The non-profit organization’s efforts also include finding ways to improve the care available to Alzheimer’s patients, their families and caregivers.

Providing a place where men, women, and children with cancer can gather to build social and emotional support is the focus of Gilda's Club. The clubs, which also bring together friends and family members of cancer patients, are designed to complement a patient’s medical treatment. Each club offers support and networking groups, lectures, workshops and social events in a nonresidential, home-like setting. Funding for the organization is provided by private individuals, corporations, and foundations.

Dedicated to inspiring all girls to be strong, smart, and bold, Girls Incorporated is a national nonprofit youth organization with roots dating back to 1864. The non-profit provides educational programs to millions of American girls in high-risk, underserved areas.

Guide Dogs for the Blind provides enhanced mobility to individuals with impaired or total loss of vision. Each of the guide dog’s unique skills are developed and nurtured by dedicated volunteers and a professional staff. The trained dogs are then matched to a vision impaired person. Matching and training are provided at no cost to the individual or family.

The Institute for One World Health develops safe, effective and affordable new medicines for people in developing countries who are suffering from infectious diseases. The group serves as a positive agent for change by saving lives, improving health, and fulfilling the promise of medicine for those most in need.

The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International’s (JDRF) mission is to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through focused and intense research. Since its founding 35+ years ago, the group has raised more than $900 million and committed those funds to research initiatives aimed at eradicating Type I juvenile diabetes. In FY2005, JDRF invested more than $98 million into research efforts. Type 1 diabetes strikes children suddenly and requires multiple injections of insulin daily or, in some cases, a continuous infusion of insulin through a pump.

Locks of Love provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children suffering from long-term medical hair loss resulting from a range of medical issues. The group uses donated hair to create the highest quality hair prosthetics for young girls and boys. Most of the children helped by Locks of Love have lost their hair due to a medical condition called alopecia areata, which has no known cause or cure. The wigs help restore the children’s self-esteem and confidence.

For 30+ years,Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) has been on a mission to end drunk driving. As part of its outreach, this grassroots organization’s work includes Power Camps, adult awareness, student programs, law enforcement programs, court monitoring, and a video resource guide.

Make a Wish helps make dreams come true. The Foundation was founded in 1980 after a little boy realized his heartfelt wish to become a police officer. Since then, more than 144,000 children with life-threatening medical conditions have dreamt big and experienced the magical feeling of their dreams coming true.

Ensuring that people in need—especially the elderly—have ready access to nutritional meals is the goal of the Meals On Wheels Association of America Association of America (MOWAA). One of the oldest and largest organizations in the United States providing meal services to people in need, MOWAA works toward the social, physical, nutritional, and economic betterment of vulnerable Americans. Its driving mission is to ensure that no adult in the United States goes hungry.

The positive effects of music in the lives of young people are well documented; yet, across the nation, thousands of school and community music programs have been discontinued or severely cut due to budget cuts. Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation has an inspiring goal—to share the gift of music with millions. The Foundation supports music education in the schools through the donation and repair of musical instruments to under-served schools, community music programs and individual students nationwide.

The National Alliance to End Homelessness is a leading advocate on the issue of homelessness. The group analyzes policy and develops pragmatic, cost-effective solutions that depend on public, private, and nonprofit sector collaboration. Providing data and research to policymakers and elected officials nationwide, the Alliance helps inform policy debates and educate the public and opinion leaders nationwide about ways to reduce homelessness rates in communities large and small.

The mission of the National Parks Conservation Association is to protect and enhance the country’s National Park System as a way to ensure ready access for future generations. America's national parks have long been a touchstone of American’s shared history and culture. Protecting the natural beauty and wildlife is part of preserving our nation’s history.

NPR (National Public Radio) is an internationally acclaimed producer and distributor of noncommercial news, talk, and entertainment programming. Working in partnership with more than 800 independently operated, noncommercial public radio stations, NPR reaches a growing audience of 26 million. Each NPR Member Station serves local listeners with a distinct combination of national and local programming.

Oprah's Angel Network centers on the belief that every person has the power to make a difference in the lives of others. Since its start in 1998, the non-profit has made grants to organizations and operating projects in underserved communities that provide educational initiatives and assist people in fulfilling basic human needs and regaining dignity. The Network’s founder, Oprah Winfrey, makes an annual contribution equal to the group’s management/general administrative and fundraising expenses, allowing for 100% of each supporter’s donation to be used for programs serving those in need.

The Parkinson's Disease Foundation (PDF) is a leading, national force in the fight against Parkinson's disease, a debilitating illness that afflicts more than 1 million nationwide. The organization supports research, education and public advocacy in support of the scientific research community dedicated to Parkinson’s research, as well educational and support services designed to help patients and their families.

PATH’s mission is to improve the health of people around the world by advancing technologies, strengthening systems, and encouraging healthy behaviors. The international non-profit creates sustainable, culturally relevant solutions that help communities worldwide break longstanding cycles of poor health. PATH teams, including government ministries and some of the world’s largest health technology companies, collaborate to identify and deliver focused and culturally relevant solutions. The Seattle-based non-profit has 23 offices in 14 countries, and works in more than 100 countries.

The oldest and largest non-governmental literacy organization in the world, ProLiteracy Worldwide helps adults and their families acquire the literacy practices and skills needed to function more effectively in daily life. Building on outreach work by its founders in the Philippines that began 30+ years ago, ProLiteracy now reaches individuals in 62 developing countries and collaborates with more than 120 grassroots organizations.

With more than 75 million members worldwide, the Sierra Club is one of the world’s most vocal and active environmental groups. Inspired by nature, the group and its members work tirelessly together to protect communities and the earth. The Club advocates a responsible use of the earth's ecosystems and resources, with many of its programs focused on educating and enlisting volunteers to protect and restore the quality the great outdoors.

The bonds of sisterhood are strong. Nancy G. Brinker promised her dying sister, Susan G. Komen, that she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever. Over 25 years ago, that promise launched the global breast cancer movement and the formation of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. With nearly $1 billion raised and invested, Komen is the world's largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists fighting to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find the cures.

The mission of SPCA International is to raise global awareness about the abuse animals suffer. A cornerstone of the global non-profit’s outreach includes eradicating the euthanization of healthy animals. Instead of death, the SPCA is a strong advocate of pet adoption. SPCA International works both independently and in conjunction with local SPCA organizations around the world, reaching millions with its pro-animal initiatives.

Special Olympics provides year-round sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. With ready access to quality sports training and competitions, people with intellectual disabilities are able to better realize their full potential and develop meaningful new skills, as well as life-long friendships. Special Olympics is an experience that is energizing, healthy, skillful, welcoming and joyful—for all.

Teach For America's mission is to eliminate educational inequality by building a diverse, highly selective national corps of teachers. As part of the organization’s efforts, recent college graduates representing all academic majors and career interests commit to two-year teaching positions in urban and rural public schools in our nation's lowest-income communities. Many remain in education, becoming lifelong advocates and leaders in the effort to bring improved educational opportunities to all, regardless of geography or community income.

Trees, Water & People is committed to using renewable energy technologies to improve people's lives and protect their natural resources. From widespread adoption of environmentally friendly cook stoves throughout Latin America to the use of affordable, efficient solar heaters on Native American reservations across the United States, the group’s efforts are aimed at practical, sustainable solutions. The organization advocates that renewable energy represents an important way to protect the environment, ensure vital energy supplies, and make the world healthier and more sustainable for all children.

Providing those at risk for malnutrition with basic nutrients is the mission of Vitamin Relief. The group’s programs and collaborative efforts provide micronutrient supplements for those at risk for nutritional deficiencies. Its outreach also includes educational initiatives that promote nutritional supplementation programs for at-risk populations, as well as advanced research examining the efficacy of micronutrient supplements for individuals at risk for malnutrition.

Like animals and the environment, monuments need our help and protection. The World Monuments Fund (WMF) is dedicated to the preservation of endangered architectural and cultural sites around the world. Since 1965, the organization has helped prevent the loss of historic structures at more than 450 sites in over 80 countries, from China, Cambodia to Mexico, the United Kingdom to the United States.