How do you select an environmental cause to support?

1 Identify your passion

The first step is to identify what you are passionate about when it comes to the environment. Do you care more about wildlife conservation, climate change, clean energy, or environmental justice? What are the problems that you want to solve or prevent? What are the solutions that you want to promote or support? Think about what motivates you, what inspires you, and what makes you angry or hopeful. Write down your thoughts and feelings, and try to narrow down your focus to one or two main issues that you care deeply about.

2 Research the causes

The next step is to research the causes that address your passion. You can use online platforms, such as Charity Navigator, GuideStar, or Giving Compass, to find and compare environmental nonprofits based on their mission, impact, transparency, and ratings. You can also look for local, national, or global initiatives that are working on the same or similar issues as you. You can read their websites, blogs, newsletters, or annual reports to learn more about their goals, strategies, achievements, and challenges. You can also follow them on social media, sign up for their email lists, or attend their events to get a sense of their culture and values.

3 Evaluate the impact

The third step is to evaluate the impact of the causes that you have researched. You want to support a cause that is effective, efficient, and ethical in its work. To assess their impact, consider criteria such as how clear and specific their objectives and indicators are, how they measure and report their outcomes and outputs, how they use their resources and funds, how they involve and empower their beneficiaries and stakeholders, how they address the root causes and systemic issues of the problem, and how they adapt and innovate to changing needs and contexts. With this information, you can determine if there is evidence of their results, accountability, and sustainability.

4 Align your values

The fourth step is to align your values with the cause that you want to support. You want to choose a cause that resonates with your beliefs, principles, and preferences. Consider questions like how the cause relates to your experience, reflects your moral and ethical standards, matches your philanthropic style, fits your budget, time, and skills, and offers opportunities for learning, growth, and fulfillment. This will help you feel connected, engaged, and inspired by the cause and its vision.

5 Commit to action

The final step is to commit to action and support the cause that you have selected. You can support the cause in various ways, such as donating money, volunteering time, raising awareness, advocating for change, or joining a community. You can also support the cause in different levels, such as one-time, regular, or long-term. You can also support the cause in different modes, such as online, offline, or hybrid. The important thing is to take action and make a difference for the environment and yourself.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?