Find your cause
Look for the charities that speak to your values
About the causes
When it comes to charitable giving, there are many ways to make a difference. From supporting humanitarian causes to environmental conservation, choosing the right category ensures your contributions create a lasting impact. In this guide, we explore the most common charity categories to help you find a cause that aligns with your values.
Environmental & Conservation Charities
Environmental and conservation charities play a crucial role in preserving nature, combating climate change, and promoting sustainability. With increasing global awareness about environmental issues, supporting these nonprofits helps ensure a healthier planet for future generations.
As climate change becomes a pressing issue, environmental charities aim to protect the planet through conservation efforts, wildlife protection, and sustainable initiatives.
Homeless Shelters
Homelessness in British Columbia’s lower mainland has become a rising concern over the last three years. According to an annual report conducted by the Homelessness Services Association of B.C., over 4,821 people were identified as homeless of which 30% were identified as unsheltered in 2023. This statistic represents a 32% spike from the 2020 Homeless Count which also broke record numbers due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Alongside other compounding factors, such as the cost of inflation, housing, unemployment, mental health, and the opioid crisis, CharitiLink acknowledges these statistics are based on an estimation, as many homeless communities go undocumented every year. For that reason, we believe dedicating a portion of our platform to homeless shelters will raise awareness, volunteers and donations to help our local community.
Medical Research
Medical research charities play a vital role in advancing healthcare, finding cures, and improving the quality of life for people around the world. These organizations fund innovative studies, support clinical trials, and invest in life-saving technologies that would not be possible without community donations and philanthropy.
One inspiring example is the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation, which is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of children through groundbreaking research and care. Donations to the Foundation support cutting-edge pediatric studies, from cancer treatment innovations to advancements in brain and heart health. Every contribution helps bring researchers closer to new discoveries that can transform the lives of young patients and their families.
By supporting medical research charities like BC Children’s Hospital Foundation, you’re investing in hope, healing, and the future of healthcare. Whether it’s pediatric care, cancer research, or mental health innovations, these organizations are at the forefront of medical breakthroughs that impact lives locally and globally.
Food Banks
With the rising cost of living in the Lower Mainland, many individuals and families struggle with food insecurity due to factors such as unemployment, low wages, housing costs and unexpected emergencies. Sharing these concerns, CharitiLink acknowledges access to healthy and nutritious foods is a human right. Therefore, our website has a spot dedicated to food banks in the local community which aim to reduce hunger and the risk of malnutrition.
According to the 2021 Annual Income Survey conducted by Statistics Canada, 18% of Canadian families reported experiencing food insecurity in the past 12 months which is up from 16% in 2021.
Animal Shelters
According to the market research conducted by our founders, animal shelters are one of the largest causes which elicit the most engagement and public response. Animal shelters provide a safe haven for stray, abandoned, and abused animals, ensuring they are given proper care, medical attention, and protection from harm. They provide a crucial service by helping animals find loving and responsible homes. This helps reduce overpopulation, especially for pets like dogs and cats, so animals don’t remain in shelters indefinitely. Moreover, they play an important role in educating the public about responsible pet ownership, animal rights, and the importance of spaying and neutering. They help reduce the number of stray animals by promoting adoption and discouraging overbreeding. For March, our charity of the month is dedicated to the BC SPCA and their commitment to the welfare of animals.
