✨Who are we supporting this New Year's Eve?

When we asked you for your suggestions for organizations that deserve Lowdowners’ donations and support, you didn’t hold back! We’re so grateful to see how generous and mindful this community is—whenever we ask for your help and ideas, you jump right in. It makes us, and our work, feel that much more connected to the America beyond our devices and screens.

This was a big year for the Hightower Lowdown: Last winter, we made the difficult decision to stop publishing our print version and transition to a digital-only publication—and that was a scary leap. We weren't sure what would happen, but... you caught us! So many of you have come onboard as paid subscribers here that we’ve been able to keep at it, not only publishing Hightower’s insights and calls to action more frequently than ever, but also gathering your thoughts and sharing what this community cares about. 

Now at the year's end, we want to show our gratitude by spreading some of this community's love around. Here are our recommendations for where we’re sending some of our own end-of-year contributions as well as the suggestions you shared with us. 

And, of course, there's this: Reader support is truly what keeps the Lowdown in the fight. If you aren't a paying subscriber yet, we hope you'll consider upgrading here.

Happy New Year, Lowdowners!

Our team’s suggestions

Hightower: I especially respect the feisty environmental justice movement—grassroots people like Sharon Lavigne, who founded RISE St. James in Louisiana’s shameful “Cancer Alley.” These groups are the underdoggiest of the underdogs. Usually very low-income people of color considered “nobodies” by the local/state/national power structure, their communities are routinely targeted as the sites for massive petrochemical plants, toxic waste dumps, corporate hog factories, etc. Lavigne’s group in St. James Parish began with just a few agitated locals who convened in the garage of her modest home—and they went on to beat back a monstrous, $1.25 billion carcinogenic factory that Formosa Plastics planned to put next door to them. They continue to fight giant contaminators in their community, also helping other enviro justice groups around the country, probably including gutsy efforts in your area. Please seek them out… and help them out.

Laura: RAICES (Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services) provides help for undocumented people (including children) fleeing unimaginable conditions and coming to the US for safety. From things as simple as providing backpacks with supplies and providing temporary shelter, to providing legal services to help immigrants through the complicated US legal system, RAICES embodies the of Emma Lazarus' words on our Statue of Liberty: "Give us your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to be free." In Texas, everywhere you go, you are likely to encounter someone who didn't enter "legally." These folks cook in our restaurants, clean in the buildings we visit, work dangerous jobs that other people won't work. Many are children. They are good people who are looking for a better life, and do not deserve to be made out to be villains by right-wing blow-hards.

Jay: I am convinced that investments in local groups who are organizing among young folks, communities of color, and rural voters are critical for 2024. Movement Voter Fund focuses their research on finding and supporting those that are building relationships and trust based on community concerns, many of which aren't about elections. But when elections come around, those relationships provide a solid basis for asks about turnout, social sharing, etc. Their results are impressive, but here's the rub: That kind of relationship building takes time, so early funding is critical.

Deanna: The past few years’ increased attacks on trans and queer folks has been alarming and infuriating—to see how right-wingers use issues of bodily autonomy and individual identity as a wedge issue and a scaremongering scapegoat makes my brain melt with rage. I’m supporting the Transgender Law Center because they not only provide legal support to people in need, but also a myriad of other programs, training and advocacy.

Your suggestions

Have we got a smorgasbord of amazing and worthy organizations for you! We did our best to group similar efforts together to make perusing these (hopefully) a little easier.

Local organizations doing local work

Edith likes the Atlanta Community Food Bank, which “supplies food for many group pantries as well as individuals.” Felicia is also a food bank supporter: “I support the Houston Food Bank. I volunteered there almost every week for about two years and loved it.” Carolyn and Jo also mentioned local food banks, so we found a food bank finder you can use to locate one near you. Dana and Diane both suggested directly giving to people in need as you see them in public. Clinton & Suzanne support a homeless food ministry in Stone Mountain, GA, and a refugee clothes closet located in their church.

Housing was a popular choice, too: Suzanne and Don support True North Housing Alliance in Chico, CA; Annette likes Joshua's House in Sacramento, CA, providing comfort care to terminally ill homeless people; Martha shared a new non-profit in La Crosse, Wisconsin called Karuna. Mary Sue is helping people prevent homelessness: “My organization is the Riverton Help Center, Riverton, WY. We assist folks who having a hard time financially w utilities and rent.”

Environment and animals were on people’s minds. Jerry says, “Openlands out of Chicago is a land trust for the much greater Chicago area that not only conserves land but has programs to spread a love of the natural world for all ages.” Robert likes the Washington Trails Association, “where we hand dig non-motorized hiking trails in National and state parks, National and state forests, and land owned by conservation groups.” Stephen says, “I am supporting a feisty local group fighting the two biggest carrot growers in the world who are over-pumping the groundwater of our valley. Sign the petition at StandWithCuyama.com.” And Peaceful likes Tucson Cold Wet Noses: “They foster care place older dogs, some with medical issues, from different county facilities so that the dogs can live out their lives with love instead of being put down.”

And we’ve got some creativity in the mix from Charlotte: “I support a small nonprofit in Lubbock, Texas called the East Lubbock Art House. It is community art center that promotes healing and empowerment through the arts in a high poverty area in Lubbock. It provides a benefit to the community on a shoestring.”

War and Peace

Lots of you have the raging wars around the world on your minds. Shira is supporting American Friends Service Committee, while Steve shouted out Jewish Voices for Peace. Ed recommends Community Peacemaker Teams.

In Israel/Palestine: Kenard recommends the Palestinian Children’s Relief Fund; Dickie is supporting Middle East Children's Alliance; and Rand calls out the United Palestinian Appeal.

In Ukraine: Patrick likes United24, Bonnie recommends United Help Ukraine; and Michael supports Razom for Ukraine.

Civic and political organizing

Several of you want people to vote, and to be able to vote—imagine that! Peter says, “The Voter Participation Center is a nonprofit that helps traditionally underrepresented people register to vote and to cast their ballots, focusing on young people, people of color, and unmarried women, particularly in the battleground states.” Linda says, “Postcards to Voters is a highly effective way to give of yourself and democracy.”

Ken’s got an electoral suggestion: “I support The Lincoln Project. They are a group of former Republican political strategists that have left the Republican Party due to their anti democratic actions. They produce commercials and articles exposing and denouncing the actions of the MAGA crowd and promoting Democrats who are challenging them in local, state and federal elections.”

From the world of organizing, we have: Linda with Appalachian Voices, Chandlee with Friends Committee on National Legislation, Randall with Common Cause, Nancy with Southern Poverty Law Center, Andy with Resist, and Tom with Faithful America.

Two candidates made your lists: Ellen likes Marianne Williamson, and Dustin supports Senator Tammy Baldwin.

Environmental action

Jack, Lawrence and Elizabeth all love EarthJustice—as Jack says, “Because, more than ever, the Earth needs a good lawyer.” Kirk likes the Center for Biological Diversity; Terry supports Heifer International. Patrick has been supporting Greenpeace for 25 years!

Conservation is on your minds: Gonzo is proud to support the Sempervirens Fund; Maria like Homegrown National Park, who we included in our post about rewilding here; Scott supports Sustainable Harvest International; Charles supports Buffalo Field International.

On the advocacy front, Diana likes Oil Change International, Patricia supports Friends of the Boundary Waters, Matthew is a huge fan of Green America, and Katherine likes the Pesticide Action Network.

Human rights, dignity and connection

On a lot of people’s minds: reproductive health and rights. Hank, Stephen and Jeff all support Planned Parenthood; Don is supporting The Brigid Alliance, who is “critical to helping arrange and pay for whatever it takes to get someone to their appointment.” Nancy likes the Fistula Foundation, who “brings life-restoring surgeries to women in (mostly) Africa and SE Asia who have no knowledge of, or access to, post-birth care, who suffer from injuries incurred during difficult births.”

Of course, Lowdowners love food and clean water! Martha supports Meals on Wheels; Kathy likes World Central Kitchen; Larry shouted out WhyHunger; and Esther supports Friendly Water for the World.

Many people suggested social welfare and dignity organizations: Robert used to help Habitat for Humanity build houses and still supports them; Stu likes the Human Kindness Foundation; Grace and her husband support Empower Missouri; Robert loves the Special Olympics. Plus, Tim, Colleen, George and Betsy support Doctors Without Borders, and Beverly likes Direct Relief, “a humanitarian organization that provides free medications, equipment and supplies to underserved healthcare facilities around the world.”

In the department of racial & indigenous justice, immigration reform and support, and nonviolent activism, we’ve got: Charlotte with Equal Justice Initiative; Bill with Showing Up for Racial Justice; Milton & Anne with Fellowship of Reconciliation USA; Aryaykalaki with Quixote Center, “a Catholic group in the spirit of Dorothy Day;” Lynda with Sisters United.

Lowdowners are civil rights people, too: Evan, James and Cynthia support the ACLU; Merlin suggests the Military Religious Freedom Foundation; and Barbara likes Innocence Project.

And won’t someone think of the children! Bob does with UNICEF; Loren suggests one of their favorites, Rosenberg Fund for Children. “When activists are threatened--and jailed--their offspring are usually ignored--and often have a terrible time not only dealing with the trauma of their parents gone, but having anything like summer camp or special needs equipment, etc. This Fund is for them.”

Independent media, anti-nukes and slowing population growth!

Rounding out this harvest of good, we’ve got Ginny supporting independent media and particularly Mother Jones; Aaron likes KPFA out of Berkeley, CA; Marilyn suggests PCI-Media, which “creates radio and video content for youth, women, and families in countries with low rates of education and high rates of teen birth.” Dick supports Population Connection, and Gil’s favorite is Nukewatch in Wisconsin.

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Whew! Well done, Lowdowners! And again: happy new year from all of us.