9 Charitable Cleveland Organizations Worth Supporting

The Sanctuary for Senior Dogs

The Sanctuary for Senior Dogs matches rescued senior dogs with loving homes, ideally where they can mutually benefit senior citizens. Those who do not get adopted are provided with a home in the sanctuary with quality care for life. The sanctuary welcomes contributions of dog care supplies, storage materials, services like pet fostering and grant writing, and monetary donations. The Sanctuary for Senior Dogs has been one of the top-rated organizations by Great Nonprofits for two consecutive years. For more information, visit http://www.sanctuaryforseniordogs.org/. [Photo via The Sanctuary for Senior Dogs, Facebook]

Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless

NEOCH partners with other organizations to alleviate homelessness in the Cleveland area through staffing services, publication of a street newspaper, encouraging homeless people to engage with social issues by voting, and hosting educational and advocacy events. NEOCH works to find solutions that will break the cycle of poverty rather than just the standard of providing basic necessities to those in need. Annual reports from the past 11 years are available on the NEOCH website. For more information, visit http://www.neoch.org/ [Photo via Facebook, Cleveland Homeless]

Girls with Sole

Liz Ferro, a survivor of child sexual abuse who found hope, confidence, and healing through fitness founded Girls With Sole to empower girls who are at-risk or have experienced abuse. Each girl receives free running shoes, sports bras, water bottles, a fitness journal, entry into at least two 5k races per year and a free copy of Finish Line Feeling, Ferro’s personal memoir. The confidence and physical strength that participating girls gain often translates into academic success and personal satisfaction. Girls With Sole relies on donations, sponsorships, and grants to serve nearly 1,000 girls in Northeast Ohio. For more information, visit http://www.girlswithsole.org. [Photo via Girls with Sole, Facebook]

Love Haiti Fund

Love Haiti works to provide Haitians with the health and education that will allow the country to become increasingly self-sufficient. The fund therefore pays the medical expenses of struggling patients and sends children to school year after year. Founder Jeremiah Burris said, “We want to send as many kids as we can to school and stimulate Haiti in a way that is sustainable. By creating education and jobs, we will help the nation grow so it can help itself." $50 will sponsor the education of one Haitian student for the entire school year. This includes a uniform, books, and lunch—which is often the children’s only meal of the day. For more information, visit http://www.lovehaitifund.com/. [Photo via Love Haiti Fund, Facebook]

Prayers from Maria

A Bay Village family who lost their six-year-old daughter Maria to glioma, a cancerous brain tumor, started the foundation to increase awareness, prevention and research a cure for childhood glioma. Despite the 85-97% mortality rate of childhood glioma, few funds are available to combat the deadly tumors. Volunteers at Prayers for Maria work hard to minimize costs while maximizing profits—even the supplies to put on fundraising events are donated. For more information, visit http://prayersfrommaria.org. [Photo via Prayers from Maria, Facebook]

Youth Challenge Sports

Youth Challenge Sports is a program that enables children with physical disabilities to participate in adaptive recreational activities alongside teen volunteers. All programs and transportation are funded through donations and sponsorships so the families of participants are not faced with expensive fees in exchange for the child’s opportunity. The YC website outlines what various monetary donations can provide. $25 covers the cost of one session for one participant; $75 fills the gas tank of a 13-passenger van that provides free transportation to the kids; $1,500 sponsors a participant for one whole year. YC also welcomes physical donations needed for operations, such as toilet paper, copy paper, and sporting equipment. Copies of YC’s financial statement is available upon request. For more information, visit http://youthchallengesports.com/ [Photo courtesy of Youth Challenge, Facebook]

Return to Gold

Rehabilitation and recreational therapy are provided to adults and children who are champions of a range of impairments such as stroke, amputation, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and cerebral palsy. More than 200 participants enjoy free programing and regain independence in a loved sport. The program operates from season-long hole sponsorships and a number of charity golf outings. For more information, visit http://www.returntogolf.org. [Photo via Return to Golf, Facebook]

Hospice of the Western Reserve
Although Hospice is best known for its outstanding end-of-life care, the organization also offers support groups, grief resources and bereavement services. Aside from donations and volunteers, Hospice also has a wish list of craft supplies, musical instruments, electronics, and cooking materials to support activities geared at enriching the final stretch of life. An archive of stories that exemplify how donations can improve patients’ quality of living is available online. For more information, visit http://www.hospicewr.org/. [Photo via Facebook, Hospice of the Western Reserve]

Flashstarts

Flashstarts connects entrepreneurs, investors, sponsors, mentors, and interns to encourage startup culture in Cleveland. The organization emphasizes that investing local ensures job creation, economic advancement, and community innovation. Taking part in inspiring new businesses plays a part in revitalizing Cleveland to its fullest potential. For more information, visit http://invest.flashstarts.com/. [Photo via Flashstarts, Facebook]