Benable — create shareable lists of things you recommend!
E.g., products you love, local businesses, travel recs - you can add anything to a Benable list!
Giving Back: Impacting WNC and Beyond
22
items Each of these organizations offers a unique way to give back, whether it's through direct action, financial support, or mindful purchasing. I encourage you to explore them further and see how you can be part of making a positive change.
Sections
3
Giving Back Close to Home (WNC)
Reaching Beyond (National & Global Impact)
Purchases that Give Back
Giving Back Close to Home (WNC)
From the Blue Ridge to the banks of the French Broad, these are the causes, makers, and missions that keep Western North Carolina’s heart beating strong. Supporting them means investing in our neighbors, our wild spaces, and the community roots that ...
Volunteers play a crucial role in maintaining and enhancing the hiking trails across Western North Carolina, encompassing federal, state, and local pathways. Their contributions are diverse and vital to the preservation and accessibility of these nat...
Conserving Carolina is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving land and water resources in Western North Carolina and upstate South Carolina. On their website, you can find information about their mission, ongoing conservation projects, volu...
Conserving Carolina is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving land and water resources in Western North Carolina and upstate South Carolina. On their website, you can find information about their mission, ongoing conservation projects, volu...
Conserving Carolina | Land Trust Serving Western NC and ...
A key role is played by volunteers in maintaining the Blue Ridge Parkway’s 369 miles of trails. Through partnerships, dedicated trail volunteers help ensure these trails remain sustainable and accessible for generations to come.
Trail Maintenance - Blue Ridge Parkway (U.S. National Park Service)
There are still ways to help western North Carolina recover from the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene. You can donate to the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund or support local businesses by visiting and shopping in affected areas. Every littl...
Disaster Relief Fund FAQs | nc.gov
Looking to make an impact in Western North Carolina? The Community Foundation, established in 1978, helps build lasting charitable funds to support the region. They focus on key areas like Cultural Resources, Education, Human Services, and Natural Re...
The Community Foundation
South Arts is dedicated to enriching communities across the Southeastern U.S. through the power of the arts. By supporting artists and organizations, they foster creativity, preserve cultural traditions, and bring people together. Learn more about th...
South Arts
Appalachian Wildlife Refuge gives injured and orphaned animals a second chance at life by providing care and treatment, helping them recover and return to the wild where they belong. You can help make this possible!
Appalachian Wildlife Refuge
Check out The White Squirrel Institute and learn all about the famous white squirrels of Brevard, NC! You can even help save them by donating or adopting one—how cool is that?
Adopt a white squirrel and support the White Squirrel Institute
The Appalachia Service Project (ASP) is a reputable nonprofit that has been helping low-income families in central Appalachia since 1969 by providing home repairs. With a long history of positive community impact, ASP relies on volunteers and donatio...
Appalachia Service Project | Mission Trips in Appalachia
Americans Helping Americans (AHA) is a nonprofit organization founded in 1997, dedicated to supporting economically disadvantaged communities, particularly in Appalachia, where median household incomes are much lower than the national average. AHA ad...
Helping Appalachia Since 1986 | Americans Helping Americans
Support your local Habitat for Humanity by volunteering, donating, or visiting one of their ReStores! Whether you're helping build homes, donating items, or shopping for affordable goods, every action contributes to providing safe and affordable hous...
Find your local Habitat | Habitat for Humanity
If you’re looking for a way to support something truly impactful in your community, I highly recommend supporting your local PBS. Public Broadcasting Service stations, like UNC-TV in North Carolina, are more than just TV—they’re a vital part of our c...
PBS stations operate under a public service mission, meaning they’re focused on providing content that serves the public good, not on making a profit. This commitment means that we get thoughtful, educational, and unbiased programming that informs an...
When it comes to North Carolina, here’s why I support my local UNC-TV
1. Range of Local Programming: UNC-TV does an amazing job of covering local stories. From North Carolina Now to NC Weekend, these programs dive deep into what makes our state unique, covering everything from local events to important community issu...
2. Broadcasts Across All 100 Counties: Whether you live in Raleigh, Charlotte, Asheville, or a small town in the mountains, UNC-TV is there for you. They broadcast to every corner of North Carolina, ensuring that everyone has access to quality prog...
3. A Crucial Educational Resource: For families, students, and communities, UNC-TV is a lifeline. They provide educational content that’s especially important in rural or underserved areas, where access to other educational resources might be limit...
4. Celebrating North Carolina’s History and Culture: UNC-TV is committed to showcasing our state’s rich history and diverse cultural heritage. They give us an inside look at the people, events, and traditions that shaped North Carolina, from the mo...
5. Supporting Local Artists and Musicians: UNC-TV regularly highlights North Carolina’s talented artists, musicians, and cultural figures. By supporting this station, you’re helping to shine a light on the incredible creativity and diversity that t...
6. In-Depth, Unbiased News Coverage: In a world full of sensationalized headlines, UNC-TV stands out by providing in-depth, unbiased news coverage. Their programs offer a balanced perspective on both local and global events, helping us stay informe...
PBS stations operate under a public service mission, meaning they’re focused on providing content that serves the public good, not on making a profit. This commitment means that we get thoughtful, educational, and unbiased programming that informs an...
When it comes to North Carolina, here’s why I support my local UNC-TV
1. Range of Local Programming: UNC-TV does an amazing job of covering local stories. From North Carolina Now to NC Weekend, these programs dive deep into what makes our state unique, covering everything from local events to important community issu...
2. Broadcasts Across All 100 Counties: Whether you live in Raleigh, Charlotte, Asheville, or a small town in the mountains, UNC-TV is there for you. They broadcast to every corner of North Carolina, ensuring that everyone has access to quality prog...
3. A Crucial Educational Resource: For families, students, and communities, UNC-TV is a lifeline. They provide educational content that’s especially important in rural or underserved areas, where access to other educational resources might be limit...
4. Celebrating North Carolina’s History and Culture: UNC-TV is committed to showcasing our state’s rich history and diverse cultural heritage. They give us an inside look at the people, events, and traditions that shaped North Carolina, from the mo...
5. Supporting Local Artists and Musicians: UNC-TV regularly highlights North Carolina’s talented artists, musicians, and cultural figures. By supporting this station, you’re helping to shine a light on the incredible creativity and diversity that t...
6. In-Depth, Unbiased News Coverage: In a world full of sensationalized headlines, UNC-TV stands out by providing in-depth, unbiased news coverage. Their programs offer a balanced perspective on both local and global events, helping us stay informe...
PBS NC
Reaching Beyond (National & Global Impact)
Goodness doesn’t stop at the state line. These organizations and partnerships extend kindness far and wide — from global reforestation to pollinator protection and artisan collaborations that make giving feel personal again. Together, these efforts r...
National Park Foundation, NPF, has been supporting the National Park Service since 1967, helping preserve over 400 of America’s most iconic national parks. Explore, donate, and discover the amazing corporations who partner with NPF to protect these t...
The Official Charitable Partner of the National Park Service
Geocaching is a fun way to explore while helping the National Geodetic Survey (NGS) keep our geographic data accurate. By finding and reporting geodetic benchmarks or using precise coordinates for your caches, you’re contributing to a reliable system...
Geocaching & the National Geodetic Survey (NGS): What is geocaching?
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is dedicated to conserving nature and addressing the most urgent threats to Earth's biodiversity. Their mission focuses on preserving global biological diversity, ensuring sustainable use of natural resources, and promot...
WWF - Endangered Species Conservation | World Wildlife Fund
Want to protect the natural world? The Xerces Society is an international nonprofit dedicated to conserving invertebrates and their habitats. Their mission focuses on preserving these essential species to support a healthy ecosystem. Get involved and...
The Xerces Society - Help Us Make An Even Bigger Impact
GlobalGiving is a global nonprofit organization that connects donors with grassroots projects around the world. Their platform enables individuals and organizations to donate to a wide variety of causes, including education, healthcare, disaster reli...
GlobalGiving.org
The American Hiking Society (AHS) is a nonprofit organization committed to advocating for and preserving hiking trails across the United States. One of their standout programs, "Volunteer Vacations," offers week-long or weekend trips where participan...
Volunteer Vacations - American Hiking Society - Adventure Service Trips
If you're looking for a meaningful and enriching experience, consider Road Scholars. For over fifty years, they’ve been offering educational tours to nearly 100,000 older adults each year, creating opportunities for learning, adventure, and new frien...
Road Scholar: Educational Travel & Learning Adventures
Good360 takes giving to a new level by connecting businesses’ surplus goods with nonprofits that need them most. From clothing and school supplies to furniture and disaster relief essentials, they turn excess into opportunity — extending the life of ...
Good360: Goods for the Greater Good
Purchases that Give Back
Some companies weave generosity right into their business model — turning everyday purchases into meaningful impact. From cozy socks and outdoor blankets to shoes that help fund community projects, these brands make giving effortless. Each one suppor...
I love their products, and it feels great knowing my purchases are making a difference! With their One Purchased = One Donated program, every time you buy an item, a donation goes to a Giving Partner Organization that helps people in need. It's a sim...
Bombas 100 Million Items Donated: BeeBetter
Cozy comfort that gives back — in every sense. Rumpl’s Original Puffy Blanket is made for adventure, but it’s also made with purpose. With every purchase, the company donates 1% for the Planet, contributing over a million dollars to environmental cau...
Accessories & Gear | Rumpl
For years, TOMS has shown that simple choices — like what we wear — can spark real change. Once known for their one-for-one model, the company has evolved to make an even deeper impact, donating a full third of their profits to grassroots organizatio...
Fashionable Footwear for Every Step | TOMS