Today is #GivingTuesday and the perfect day for you to support local, national, or international causes with your time, money, voice, or other resources.

Here are 4 Birmingham-based organizations I hope you will consider supporting today and beyond.

GirlSpring

GirlSpring, Inc. is a nonprofit organization that seeks to empower girls through a web-based platform and community events. Serving girls ages 13 to 18, GirlSpring manages a website that offers resources on the tough issues girls face every day and gives them a platform to share their writing. GirlSpring also hosts public programs such as films, lectures, and seminars that address issues relevant to teen girls. The founder of GirlSpring, Jane Comer, believes that girls are this world’s greatest resource and when we invest in them we invest in our future. GirlSpring’s executive director Kristen Greenwood is hosting a Facebook Fundraiser for the organization, which you can contribute to here. You can also make donations directly to GirlSpring here.

GirlSpring is always looking for strong female role models to speak to the girls involved in the program and volunteer at events. If you are interested in volunteering, please email info@girlspring.com with “volunteer inquiry” as the subject line and share what type of volunteering you are interested in. Be sure to also include a brief bio or resume.

The Women’s Fund of Greater Birmingham

Every year I raise money for the Women’s Fund of Greater Birmingham for the organization’s annual fundraiser, Smart Party. But you can make a donation to this life-changing organization any time of the year.

The Women’s Fund is a grantmaking organization that awards funds to local organizations that help move women and their children beyond poverty and toward financial security. This includes funding work training programs at community colleges like Jefferson State, daycare programs at Head Start, and much more. The Women’s Fund is also involved in advocacy, working to change policies that affect women most, such as those related to child care safety and health care. Additionally, The Women’s Fund works with local and regional companies to encourage those companies to develop family-friendly workplace policies.

Make your donation to The Women’s Fund of Greater Birmingham here.

Desert Island Supply Co. (DISCO)

The Desert Island Supply Co. (better known as DISCO) is a nonprofit creative writing program for students in Birmingham. Based in the city’s Woodlawn neighborhood, DISCO offers free after-school workshops plus in-school programs in area schools. The DISCO space in Woodlawn also serves as a hub for creative community projects and events, including See Jane Write events.

There are many ways you can contribute to DISCO. You can become a supporting patron on Patreon for as little as $1/month. You can make a one-time or recurring tax-deductible donation to support DISCO programming or, if you’re old school, you can mail a check. Learn more here. You can also apply to be a volunteer here.

The Alabama School of Fine Arts (ASFA)

The Alabama School of Fine Arts (ASFA) is not just the school where I teach. It’s also the high school I attended and it’s a school that changed my life. ASFA is a magical place that celebrates diversity and embraces and empowers the artsy kid, the nerdy kid, the kind of kid that has trouble fitting in. ASFA is the place that taught me to love myself, quirks and all.

ASFA is the only tuition-free magnet school for the arts and sciences that serves the entire state, providing core academics and specialty instruction to grades 7-12. ASFA is also a great resource to the Birmingham community. Whether you’re looking to attend a play, a concert, a dance performance, a poetry reading, or an art exhibit, ASFA has you covered. ASFA also hosts summer camps.

Your donation can help a student attend a summer program, purchase a musical instrument or art supplies, underwrite a theatre production or add technology to our classrooms. Learn more on how you can give here.

While you’re in a giving mood, I’d love for you to help out See Jane Write, too, but it won’t cost you a penny.  For two years in a row See Jane Write has been selected as one of the best websites for writers by The Write Life and it’s all because of your support. I’d love to keep the streak going for 2019. To nominate See Jane Write simply click here and share why See Jane Write is your favorite writing website. Thanks in advance for your support.