- Poverty affects hundreds of millions of people worldwide, but charitable organizations are making measurable progress through housing, education, healthcare, food assistance, and economic empowerment.
- This guide highlights 12 nonprofits working to reduce poverty in the United States and around the world.
- You can support poverty-fighting charities by volunteering, donating essential items, or making digital gifts with cryptocurrency, stock, donor-advised funds (DAFs), or card.
- Digital giving makes it easier than ever to support organizations addressing poverty and help expand their long-term impact.
Poverty affects hundreds of millions of people around the world, limiting access to essentials like food, housing, healthcare, education, and economic opportunity. While progress has been made over the past several decades, millions of individuals and families continue to face significant challenges every day.
Fortunately, nonprofits around the world are working to address poverty through a variety of approaches, from providing emergency assistance and affordable housing to expanding educational opportunities and advocating for long-term systemic change.
Whether you’re looking to support a local organization or contribute to a global humanitarian effort, this guide highlights 12 nonprofits making a meaningful difference in the fight against poverty.
Progress Has Been Made, but the Fight Against Poverty Continues
While global poverty has declined significantly over the past several decades, hundreds of millions of people around the world still face barriers to essentials like food, safe housing, healthcare, education, and economic opportunity.
Poverty is a complex challenge shaped by factors such as economic instability, conflict, natural disasters, and public health crises. That’s why nonprofits continue to play a critical role in helping individuals and families build more stable, resilient futures.
Whether you’re recognizing World Poverty Day, Poverty in America Awareness Month, or simply looking for a meaningful way to give back, your support can help organizations expand their impact and improve lives.
From building affordable housing and providing emergency relief to expanding access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunity, the nonprofits below are addressing poverty in different ways, but they all share one common goal: helping people build brighter, more stable futures.
Meet 12 nonprofits helping reduce poverty in the United States and around the world.
1. Habitat for Humanity International
Founded in 1976, Habitat for Humanity builds affordable housing and advocates for dignified living conditions globally. By partnering with communities, they empower families to achieve strength, stability, and self-reliance.
Year Founded: 1976
2. CARE
CARE, established in 1945, fights global poverty and provides humanitarian aid. Through community-based efforts, they address the root causes of poverty, aiming to create lasting change and a world of equality.
Year Founded: 1945
Like CARE, Unlock the Power of Digital Fundraising
Explore CARE’s exceptional journey in digital fundraising with The Giving Block. As a leading humanitarian nonprofit, CARE has successfully expanded its fundraising strategy by accepting cryptocurrency and embracing innovative digital giving opportunities.
Interested in how nonprofits are adapting to today’s donors? Learn more about Modern Fundraising.
3. Bay Area Community Services, Inc.
Since 1953, Bay Area Community Services addresses homelessness, mental health, and substance use issues. Through innovative programs, they strive to create lasting solutions, promoting wellness and stability in the Bay Area community.
Year Founded: 1953
4. York Street Project
Founded in 1989, York Street Project empowers economically disadvantaged women and children. Through education, housing, and childcare programs, they break the cycle of poverty, fostering independence and resilience.
Year Founded: 1989
5. Lifting Hands International
Lifting Hands International, since 2016, offers aid to refugees and displaced populations. With a focus on dignity and empowerment, they provide essential services and support, striving to improve the lives of those affected by crises.
Year Founded: 2016
6. Project Hawaii
Project Hawaii, established in 1996, dedicates itself to homeless keiki (children) and their families. Through outreach and support programs, they provide essential resources, nurturing a path towards stability and a brighter future.
Year Founded: 1996
7. Entryway
Entryway, founded in 2012, focuses on preventing and addressing homelessness. Through outreach, education, and resource navigation, they work to ensure individuals have the support needed to secure stable housing.
Year Founded: 2012
8. Refuge for Women
Refuge for Women, since 2009, offers healing and hope to survivors of trafficking. Through long-term care and support, they empower women to overcome trauma, fostering a path towards restoration and independence.
Year Founded: 2009
9. Breakthrough
Breakthrough, founded in 1992, focuses on housing those in need. They provide transitional and permanent supportive housing for individuals and families experiencing homelessness in Chicago’s Garfield Park community.
Year Founded: 1992
10. Oxfam America
Oxfam America, founded in 1970, addresses global poverty and injustice. Through advocacy and partnerships, they work towards sustainable solutions, empowering communities to build a more equitable and resilient world.
Year Founded: 1970
Website: https://www.oxfamamerica.org/
11. The Life You Can Save
Founded in 2009, The Life You Can Save promotes effective giving to alleviate global poverty. They encourage individuals to make a significant impact by supporting evidence-based initiatives that save and improve lives.
Year Founded: 2009
12. Save the Children
Save the Children, established in 1919, is dedicated to protecting children globally. Through various programs, they ensure access to healthcare, education, and safety, striving to create a world where every child can thrive.
Year Founded: 1919
5 Ways to Support Poverty-Fighting Nonprofits
Supporting nonprofits that fight poverty goes beyond making a one-time donation. Whether you give your time, your expertise, or your financial resources, every contribution helps expand their impact and create lasting change.
Here are five meaningful ways to make an impact:
- Volunteer your time or professional skills.
- Donate appreciated stock.
- Donate cryptocurrency.
- Recommend a donor-advised fund (DAF) grant.
- Donate by card.
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
— Margaret Mead
Every act of generosity, no matter the size, helps create opportunities, strengthen communities, and move more people toward a brighter future.
Support a Poverty-Fighting Nonprofit Today
Whether you’re passionate about expanding access to housing, healthcare, education, food security, or economic opportunity, your generosity can help nonprofits create lasting change for individuals and families around the world.
The 12 organizations featured above are just a few of the many nonprofits working to reduce poverty. Explore The Giving Block’s Nonprofit Finder to discover even more vetted organizations addressing poverty and related causes, and support them with cryptocurrency, stock, donor-advised funds (DAFs), or card.
