Reporting In – Giving Back in 2024

When I began NICABM, I made it a cornerstone of our organization that we would give back to those who are in need.

It’s a lesson that my parents instilled in me from a young age when they taught me to tithe at least 10% of my allowance each week.

And now, every holiday season, I take great joy in looking back and reflecting on our charitable giving for the year.

In 2024, NICABM gave away $441,210 to organizations making an impact locally, in the US, and around the world.

When we’re picking out organizations, we don’t just give to the biggest names. We try to find the organizations doing great work that aligns with our values and makes the most of every dollar we give.

The World – $190,110

The Citizens Foundation – $31,610
Building and running gender-equal schools in Pakistan

Save the Children – $25,000
Delivering health care in conflict zones and aid to areas impacted by hurricanes

Innovations for Poverty Action – $20,000
Runs randomized controlled trials to assess interventions to reduce poverty

Evidence Action – $20,000
Scales evidence-based programs to reduce the burden of poverty

Amnesty International – $15,000
Helps fight abuses of human rights worldwide

CouldYou? Cup – $15,000
Provides menstrual cups for girls in Africa

GiveDirectly – $15,000
Allows donors to send money directly to those in need with no strings attached. All funds went to recipients in Africa. 

Partners in Health – $10,000
Provides high-quality healthcare in some of the world’s poorest places

Doctors Without Borders – $10,000
Provides medical humanitarian assistance to those who need it most

American Near East Refugee Aid – $10,000
Helps refugees in Palestine and Lebanon

Camfed – $5,000
Provides educational opportunities for girls in rural areas of Africa

Human Rights Watch – $5,000
Conducts research and advocates for human rights

World Wildlife Fund – $2,500
Fights for wilderness preservation

The Baa Foundation – $2,000
Provides free health care and education in developing areas of India

Village Impact – $2,000
Provides educational opportunities for children in rural Kenya

Friends of Ecole Agape – $2,000
Supports the only free girl’s school in Haiti 

 

The United States – $134,300

Equal Justice Initiative – $15,000
Provides legal support to individuals who are illegally convicted and unfairly sentenced

Thurgood Marshall College Fund – $10,000
Supports students at HBCUs and PBIs

Hebrew Immigration and Refugee Service (HAIS) – $10,000
Provides vital services to refugees and asylum seekers around the world

Global Refuge – $10,000
Dedicated to serving immigrants, asylum seekers and refugees in the United States

Legal Outreach – $10,000
Provides social and academic support to underserved youth in New York

New City Kids – $10,000
Offers after-school programs for low-income youth

The Innocence Project – $10,000
Works to free the innocent and prevent wrongful convictions

OXFAM – $10,000
Fights inequality to end poverty and injustice

Human Rights Campaign – $10,000
Fights for LGBTQ+ rights

Exodus Transitional Community – $5,000
Provides support for those in transition from incarceration

Covenant House – $5,000
Provides services for youth who are homeless or survivors of trafficking

The Bowery Mission – $5,000
Serves homeless and hungry New Yorkers

Undue Medical Debt – $5,000
Buys medical debt from collections agencies and forgives it

PBS Foundation – $5,000
Uses media programming to educate, inspire, and entertain

Salvation Army – $3,000
Meets human needs without discrimination

Insight Meditation Community of Washington, DC – $1,000
Offers meditation programs and sangha gatherings

Barre Center for Buddhist Studies – $1,000
Offers the integration, study, and practice of Buddhism

Sierra Club -$1,000
Fights for environmental and social justice

Provincetown Art Association and Museum – $1,000
Supports local art and artists

Mass Eye and Ear Foundation – $1,000
Provides advanced training on retinal care and eye surgeries for doctors from developing countries

NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)– $1,000
Dedicated to improving lives of those affected by mental illness

Taylor University – $1,000
Supports development at Taylor

Michigan State University – $1,000
Supports development at MSU

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention – $1,000
Aims to save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide

Alzheimer’s Association – $1,000
Provides Alzheimer’s care, support, and research

ASPCA – $1,000
Fights to prevent cruelty to animals

Wikimedia Foundation – $300
Hosts Wikipedia, the free online encyclopedia, created, edited, and verified by volunteers around the world

 

Local – $116,800

Covenant Soup Kitchen – $30,000
Provides food and access to basic services in the Windham community

Eastern CT State University Scholarships – $15,000
Scholarships for first-generation college students in need

Integrated Refugee and Immigrant Services of CT – $12,000
Offers immigration legal services to refugees

Windham No Freeze Shelter – $10,000
Offers services to assist people experiencing or at risk of homelessness

Joshua’s Tract Conservation and Trust – $10,000
Protects more than 5,000 acres of land in Northeastern Connecticut

Connecticut Public Broadcasting Network – $6,000
Uses media programming to inform, educate, and inspire

UConn Foundation – $5,000
The Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts

Mansfield Downtown Partnership – $5,000
Provides economic development services and oversees the redevelopment of Downtown Storrs

Windham Area Interfaith Ministry – $5,000
Provides basic needs and support to area residents with insufficient income

Holy Family Home & Shelter – $5,000
Compassionately supports families and individuals experiencing homelessness

Center for Medicare Advocacy – $5,000
Advances access to comprehensive Medicare coverage

Willington Dollars for Scholars – $2,000
Offers financial assistance to students pursuing secondary education

Mansfield Holiday Fund – $1,500
Provides assistance to community families for the holidays

New England Public Media– $1,000
Provides programming that nurtures community, civility, and curiosity

Access Community Action Agency – $1,000
Serves low-income individuals and families

Storrs Congregational Church Food Pantry – $1,000
Serves area individuals facing hunger

Benton Art Museum – $1,000
Works toward the collection, preservation, and research of art

Our Companions Animal Rescue – $1,000
Advocates for animals in need

Town of Mansfield – Farm to Families Fund – $300
Connects asset-limited families to fresh, locally sourced food

 

 

Now I’d like to hear from you. What inspires you to give? I’m always eager to hear how you give back to your community, whether that’s with time, money, or resources. So please, leave a comment below to share the important work you do.