Give Til You're Green in 2015: 9 Environmental Non-Profits to Consider

You may not know it, but individual donations represent upwards of 70% of ALL charitable giving across the entire U.S. non-profit sector.

And non-profits are relying on individuals more and more.

Indeed, according to the Giving USA Foundation, a non-profit organization that analyzes and evaluates data on total charitable giving in the U.S. each year, charitable giving by individuals increased 4.4% between 2012 and 2013, to $335.17 billion, while corporate contributions declined slightly in 2013.

Una Osili, Ph.D., director of research at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, a research partner of Giving USA, noted, "Giving to education, health and environmental and animal welfare organizations, in particular, have shown robust giving patterns in recent years."

As a LEED professional, you're a USGBC supporter but you may also be looking for inspiring organizations to get involved with in 2015... If so, here are 9 of the top green building and environmental charities that you can provide a donation to! Each organization is ranked by Charity Navigator, an organization that helps individual donors (like you!) navigate charities by providing charity ratings with clear, objective, and reliable assessments of the financial health as well as the accountability and transparency of the charities' operations. Charities are rated from 1-4 stars, indicating "Poor" to "Exceptional".

Shelterbox

ShelterBox is an international, nonprofit organization that responds immediately, by providing humanitarian relief in the form of supplies that bring hope, independence and a sense of normalcy to the most vulnerable people. Since 2000, the organization has delivered boxes of aid and other supplies such as tents, water filters, stoves, blankets and other tools to help families survive and rebuild their lives in the aftermath of more than 200 disasters in over 90 countries worldwide.

Charity Navigator: 3 stars

Habitat for Humanity International

Founded in 1976, Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI) is an ecumenical Christian housing ministry. HFHI seeks to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world, and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action. Habitat invites people of all backgrounds, races and religions to build houses together in partnership with families in need. Habitat has built more than 300,000 houses around the world, providing more than 1.5 million people in more than 3,000 communities with safe, decent, affordable shelter.

Charity Navigator: 3 stars

Charity:Water

charity: water focuses on life's most basic need -- water. But to significantly cut down disease rates in the developing world, water is just the first step. Almost everywhere charity: water builds a freshwater well, we also require sanitation training. In some communities, we build latrines; at the very least, we promote simple hand-washing stations made with readily-available materials. Clean water can greatly alleviate the world's disease burden, but only with education and hygienic practice. charity: water is committed to using water as a gateway to sanitary living.

Charity Navigator: 4 stars

The Conservation Fund

The Conservation Fund combines a passion for conservation with an entrepreneurial spirit to protect your favorite places before they become just a memory. The Conservation Fund started in 1985 as a smart solution to an old problem: how to balance environmental and economic goals. Everything they do has environmental and economic value, from protecting recreation destinations and working forests to helping communities grow green space. Staffed by a team of individuals with expertise in the environment, real estate, business and community development, the Fund has protected nearly 7 million acres across America.

Charity Navigator: 3 stars

Wildlife Conservation Network

Founded in 2002, Wildlife Conservation Network (WCN) is dedicated to protecting endangered species and preserving their natural habitats. We support innovative strategies for people and wildlife to co-exist and thrive. We partner with independent, community-based conservationists around the world and provide them with the capital and tools they need to develop solutions for human-wildlife coexistence.

Charity Navigator: 4 stars

Rainforest Alliance

The Rainforest Alliance works to conserve biodiversity and ensure sustainable livelihoods by transforming land-use practices, business practices and consumer behavior. At the heart of the organization's approach is the understanding that the health of the land is inextricably connected to the wellbeing of those who depend on it for their livelihoods. The Rainforest Alliance provides training and certification to promote healthy ecosystems and communities in some of the world’s most vulnerable ecosystems.

Charity Navigator: 4 Stars

Earthjustice

EarthJustice is "driven by a passion for justice and a commitment to excellence" and "fights for the right of all to a healthy environment." Earthjustice uses the power of law and the strength of partnership to protect people’s health; to preserve magnificent places and wildlife; to advance clean energy; and to combat climate change. Earthjustice is the nation’s original and largest nonprofit environmental law organization and leverages its expertise and commitment to fight for justice and create lasting change.

Charity Navigator: 4 stars

Sustainable Conservation

Founded in 1993, Sustainable Conservation believes protecting the environment can also be good for business. The organization's climate, air, water and biodiversity initiatives promote practical solutions that produce tangible, lasting benefits for California. Sustainable Conservation's effectiveness lies in building strong partnerships with business, agriculture and government - and establishing models for environmental and economic sustainability that can be replicated across California and beyond. Sustainable Conservation advances the stewardship of natural resources using innovative, pragmatic strategies that actively engage businesses and private landowners in conservation.

Charity Navigator: 4 stars

The Sierra Club

The Sierra Club Foundation bridges the intersection of strategic philanthropy and grassroots advocacy. As a publicly supported charity, we partner with thousands of donors across the U.S. to invest in organizations that have an outsized impact on the health of the planet. To support our vision for a powerful, inclusive environmental movement focused on climate solutions, conservation, and movement building, we give special consideration to charitable programs that reinforce and advance these imperatives.

Charity Navigator: 4 stars