Funds in Human Rights

Four organizations honoring the legacy of MLK through action and education.

November is Native American Heritage Month (NAHM), also known as American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month. It is a time to celebrate the rich and diverse ancestry, cultures, traditions, and histories of America's Indigenous people. According to the National Congress of American Indians, NAHM is also “an opportunity to educate our workforce, raise awareness about the uniqueness of Native people, and the myriad of ways in which tribal citizens have conquered challenges to maintain voice and dignity and to remain an influencing presence in a rapidly evolving nation.” Through a single donation to the Native American Heritage Month Fund, you will support Indigenous-led nonprofits focused on building Indigenous power, protecting and restoring land and culture, and strengthening and supporting healthy Native communities. The composition of nonprofits in this fund is subject to change. Fund photo by Getty Images.

World Refugee Day, recognized annually on June 20, was established by the United Nations to celebrate and honor refugees around the world. According to the UN, every minute, 20 people leave everything behind to escape war, persecution or terror. More than 80 million people around the world have fled their homes, which is just the beginning of a long and difficult journey, often involving refugee camps, abrupt relocations, family separation, and unnavigable bureaucratic processes. Through a single donation to the Fund, you can support multiple organizations working for and on behalf of refugees around the world. Join us in shining a light on the rights, needs and dreams of refugees so that everyone can not only survive, but also thrive. The composition of nonprofits in this fund is subject to change. Hashtags: #WithRefugees #WorldRefugeeDay2021 #RefugeesWelcome *Fun fact: The first-ever Refugee Team competed at the 2016 Olympics in Rio. The team was comprised of athletes from Ethiopia, South Sudan, The Democratic Republic of Congo, and Syria.*

On June 19, 1865 -- a full two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued -- news of the end of slavery finally reached Texas. Since then, Juneteenth, also known as Jubilee Day, Liberation Day, and Emancipation Day, has become a time to recognize and celebrate the culture, contributions, and achievements of African Americans. Early celebrations often served a dual purpose as political rallies to give voting instructions to newly freed enslaved peoples. However, in the early 20th century, economic and political forces led to a decline in Juneteenth celebrations due to state laws and amendments being passed that disenfranchised Black people and excluded them from voting, such as the Jim Crow laws. The Civil Rights Movement re-invigorated the holiday. In 2020, in the midst of several high-profile deaths of Black men at the hands of police, Juneteenth started to become more widely known and its significance particularly important. Systemic racism continues to plague the United States, and the struggle for true Black liberation continues to this day. Join us in supporting organizations that continue to work on dismantling white supremacy and eliminating systemic racism. The Juneteenth Fund is composed of nonprofits with missions that address these complex, pervasive relics of oppression through education, policy, advocacy, and access to quality healthcare and other direct services. The composition of nonprofits in this fund is subject to change.

In the summer of 1969, police raided a gay bar in New York City; the riots that ensued were a major turning point for the fight for gay rights in the United States. Since June 1970, LGBTQ+ folks, along with activists, advocates, and allies have continued to gather together in June to march with Pride. While there are still many obstacles the LGBTQ+ community faces, significant progress has been made over the past few decades. The Pride Fund supports organizations that promote the safety and advance the wellbeing of the LGBTQ+ community through advocacy, direct services, health accessibility, education, legal representation, and public policy changes. Through a single donation to the Fund, you can support multiple organizations' initiatives working to ensure acceptance, equity, and justice for all. The composition of nonprofits in this fund is subject to change.

May is Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month, a time to recognize and celebrate Asians and Pacific Islanders in the United States. May was chosen to commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese to the U.S. on May 7, 1843, and to mark the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869 which had been primarily constructed by Chinese immigrants. Bright Funds has established the AAPI Heritage Month Fund, composed of highly-rated Asian American nonprofits focused on civil rights, housing rights, legal representation, education, and cultural preservation and expression, all to amplify the community’s voice. Through a single donation to the Fund you will support a group of nonprofits that are working to eliminate discrimination and lift the voices of the AAPI community. The composition of nonprofits in this fund is subject to change.

International Women's Day (IWD), observed annually on March 8, is a worldwide celebration of women’s achievements. It offers an opportunity to reflect on progress made, to call for change, and to honor acts of courage and determination by women who have helped in moving the needle toward gender parity within their countries and communities. We encourage you to give to this campaign, or to search on Bright Funds for a nonprofit that is helping to create a more just, equitable world. The composition of nonprofits in this fund is subject to change.

The Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, led by The Reverend Martin Luther King Jr., was a pivotal time in our nation’s history and has had far-reaching repercussions. Modern movements for racial justice and equality, like the Black Lives Matter movement, are extensions of the work that he started. MLK Day, celebrated nationally on January 18, is a day of service that celebrates the Civil Rights leader’s mission, life, and legacy. The holiday, often referred to as “a day on, not a day off,” is dedicated to volunteerism, encouraging people everywhere to reflect and take action in their communities. The call to action on this day is intended to empower individuals, strengthen communities, bridge barriers, create solutions for some of our most pressing social problems, and move us closer to Dr. King’s vision of a “Beloved Community.” Dr. King led the charge to demand the most basic of human rights -- civil rights -- and there are plenty of opportunities to contribute. This Fund is comprised of nonprofit organizations that are fighting for social justice in the U.S. and around the world. We encourage you to give to this campaign, or to search on Bright Funds for a nonprofit that is doing the work to fight racism and intolerance in order to create a more just, equitable world. The composition of nonprofits in this fund is subject to change.

PEC provides pro-bono legal assistance to at-risk Afghan refugees and their families with filling Humanitarian Parole applications. The $575 application processing fee per person, adult or child, quickly becomes exorbitant with multiple family members.

Freeset USA partners with social enterprises who offer dignified employment to individuals in India. We also partner with community-based organizations that offer social services in the form of trauma counselling, child care, literacy and financial education. We are focused on assisting women who are vulnerable or have escaped human trafficking, and seek like-minded partners in helping us carry out our mission of ending modern day slavery.

Last month the first (and only) LGBT community center in Sofia, Bulgaria was trashed by a group of far-right extremists led by presidential candidate Boyan Rasate (who, by the way, was also behind the Molotov cocktail attack on the first Sofia Pride parade almost 15 years ago). They also punched a lady in the face, who works at Bilitis, one of the organizations behind the community center. This happened in the middle of a community event led by two trans women to discuss the very recent Constitutional Court decision that gender can only mean biological sex, which may have pretty bad legal implications for trans folks who want to have their gender marker updated. In order for the damage to be repaired, and the center to become again The Safe Space for the Sofia LGBTQ+ and allies we would need you help and support. Donations are welcome, yet not the most important thing. The LGBTQ+ community and the open allies in my country need advocacy, acceptance, inclusion and equal access to civil rights, educational and professional opportunities. You can be our voice and our representatives. Thank you.

A meaningful way to make a difference this year is by donating to one of the many LGBTQ+ charities that address issues facing the queer and trans communities.

At checkout indicate you'd like the funds to go to the #TF4WOMEN PROGRAMMES. Techfugees is an impact-driven global organization nurturing a sustainable ecosystem of tech solutions supporting the inclusion of displaced people. Techfugees exist to empower displaced persons whilst supporting tech innovations designed by, with, and for them.

Join MAL Proud in raising funds for these nonprofits that are making a difference in the everyday lives of LGBTQ+ community members locally and across the United States through advocacy and empowerment.

DiveIN will be hosting a trivia focused on intersectionality in the LGBTQ+ community Friday, 11/19/21 at 1:00 pm ET. The winning team will choose which organization from here will receive a donation match from Namely (up to $500). Leading up to and during the event, we're also promoting these 3 causes. Take a look and donate at your convenience! Thanks for your time and support team.

Narika’s mission is to promote women’s independence, economic empowerment and well-being by helping domestic violence survivors with advocacy, support and education. Narika was founded in 1992 in the Bay Area to address domestic violence and abuse, especially in low-income, immigrant and AAPI communities. Narika addresses the unmet needs of survivors by providing advocacy, support and referrals within a culturally responsive and linguistically diverse model. All of Narika’s services, including case management, job training & financial literacy training, wellness programs, support groups, and our food justice program, are free and confidential. This year, Narika is projected to serve our highest number of clients ever as the long-lasting impacts of the pandemic persist in our communities. Narika plans to start its own transitional home facility in 2022, a much-needed resource for our survivors. For more details please visit www.narika.org

Black History Month was launched in the 1980s in the UK in London and was largely the result of local community activism challenging racism in general in British society and the Eurocentric version of history that dominated the state school system. The month chosen was October to coincide with the start of the new academic year. A deliberate decision to help maximise engagement in the minds of black British children and also instil in them a sense of identity and pride. Black History Month is an opportunity to reflect on the diverse histories of those of African and Caribbean descent, taking note of the achievements and contributions to the social, political, economic and cultural development of the UK. Black history is an integral part of British history which ought to be remembered all year around however, we embrace this period as it serves as a platform to continue our own education and provides an opportunity to learn more about the various Black communities across the UK. Join us in supporting and celebrating this important month by making a charitable contribution to Lucid's UK Black History Month Campaign!

The Sleep Out is an annual fundraiser for the Covenant House to raise critical lifesaving funds to give kids safe shelter and opportunity, and unite your community against youth homelessness The Sleep Out is not about pretending to be homeless. We Sleep Out to show our solidarity with those who are homeless and to let the world know about the ever-growing population of young people who face homelessness. There's more to Sleep Out than a night without a mattress. Sleep Out raises critical funds to help Covenant House provide 24/7 shelter, sanctuary, and support to youth overcoming homelessness. During the Sleep Out, participants are asked to give up their beds for one night. The evening begins with a program highlighting the journeys of youth who have been or are currently part of the Covenant House. Staff provides overview of the many programs and services that the Covenant House provides. Teams are celebrated for their fundraising milestones. At the end of the program, participants (otherwise known as "Sleepers") adjourn outside for the Sleep Out. Once outside, Sleepers use only a piece of cardboard and a sleeping bag for the night. In the morning, it's a time of reflection and shared community. Teams come together in the morning virtually to share their key take-aways and experiences. As a Sleeper, you are a fundraiser and advocate helping to keep the lights on and the doors open for young people seeking shelter. And your night of solidarity sends a powerful message to our youth that they are not alone.

November is Native American Heritage Month (NAHM), also known as American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month. It is a time to celebrate the rich and diverse ancestry, cultures, traditions, and histories of America's Indigenous people. According to the National Congress of American Indians, NAHM is also “an opportunity to educate our workforce, raise awareness about the uniqueness of Native people, and the myriad of ways in which tribal citizens have conquered challenges to maintain voice and dignity and to remain an influencing presence in a rapidly evolving nation.” Through a single tax-deductible donation to the 2021 Native American Heritage Month Fund, you will support Indigenous-led nonprofits focused on building Indigenous power, protecting and restoring land and culture, and strengthening and supporting healthy Native communities. Fund photo by Getty Images.

Together we are one and together we can bring light to the dark. The current Afghanistan crisis is highlighting the downward spiral of humanity. Many are being denied basic human rights that the world's developed nations take for granted. Innocent children, women, & families are being oppressed, terrorized, & killed by their own countries extremist groups without a way out.

Afghanistan needs your help in this time of desperate need. The recent devastating escalation of violence in Kabul and in the northeast regions has forced families to flee their homes in desperate search of safety. The fighting and devastation is spreading like wildfire forcing women, children and families to abandon their homes and possessions. Prior to the recent outbreak of hostilities, there were already more than four million internally displaced people in Afghanistan. The situation is grim and everyday more and more people, a majority of whom are women and children, are either internally displaced or are fleeing to neighboring countries and seeking refuge. The UN estimates that as many as half of the country’s population will be in need of urgent humanitarian aid, including food, housing and basic medical care.

This Fund is a combination of two funds created to help support those affected by the current Humanitarian Crisis in Afghanistan. Descriptions are taken directly from GlobalGiving and Bright Funds (source links below) and I have noted the organization that selected and vetted the nonprofits. SOURCES: Created by Bright Funds: https://vmware.brightfunds.org/funds/2021-afghanistan-emergency-aid-fund Afghanistan Humanitarian Relief Projects by GlobalGiving’s Vetted Partners: https://www.globalgiving.org/afghanistan-relief/

Violence is escalating in Afghanistan following the Taliban takeover of the presidential palace and seizing control over the country. Bright Funds established the 2021 Afghanistan Emergency Aid Fund to support organizations working to deliver aid to areas in conflict and support displaced people in Kabul. This fund is comprised of pre-vetted nonprofits providing emergency response in the region. Through a single tax deductible donation to the Fund, you can support multiple organizations’ initiatives. We have initially selected organizations that are on the ground assisting with immediate relief needs. The composition of nonprofits in this fund is subject to change as we learn more about the needs on the ground.

Cisco DevNet Create celebrates the empowering nature of all developers. We encourage each of you to take action with the DevNet Team to give back to promote diversity in STEM and the fight to end racism and discrimination through global education. Cisco DevNet Create provides a great opportunity to learn from others in the community on a wide range of topics in the software development, cloud infrastructure, and infrastructure automation space. Learn more about leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning concepts into your day-to-day projects. Watch your peers in the community share their challenges and solutions. DevNet Create will be occurring in the AMERICAS October 19-20, 2021, APJC and EMEAR October 20-21, 2021. Please visit DevNet Create 2021 and register for the event today! http://cs.co/create2021

Please help this amazing organization