The season of gifting + giving is upon us. Just in time for year end giving, #GivingTuesday — the global campaign that encourages generosity + kindness — is next Tues., Nov. 30. This also happens to be the start of Smiley Pete + the Blue Grass Community Foundation’s Good Giving Challenge which runs through Mon., Dec 6.

Each day is sponsored by various funds that are willing to match big dollars for our support. On #GivingTuesday alone — two separate donors will be giving up to $125,000 in matched donations. This is our chance to make an impact on the lives of our fellow Lexingtonians. We’re sharing with you 30 local groups to consider for your year-end giving.

For kids

Bluegrass Ambucs — This group is dedicated to providing adapted bicycles to children with special needs in the Central Kentucky area.
CASA of Lexington — Standing for Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children, CASA pairs volunteers with abused + neglected children to speak up for them and their best interests.

For animals

Lexington Humane Society — Anyone else find themselves often scrolling through pages of pups and daydreaming? LHS is all about ending pet homelessness + neglect through education and adoption programs.

For hunger

GleanKY — GleanKY redistributes excess fresh produce from grocery stores + farms to surrounding community shelters, food pantries, and schools.
God’s Pantry — God’s Pantry Food Bank supports 50 counties and 450+ food pantries and meal programs in central and eastern Kentucky. In FY 2021 they have supplied 41.8 million pounds of food

25 more to consider

Friends of the Kentucky Theatre — working to restore + enhance Lexington’s historic downtown independent cinema
Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Bluegrass — Helps keep families together during children's medical treatment.
Refuge For Women — Specializes in long-term care for women who have escaped human trafficking or sexual exploitation.
Food Chain Lex — It aims to cultivate more active participation in the local food system through educational programming.
DSACK — The group celebrates + supports the Down syndrome community, while educating others about the joys and challenges of Down syndrome.
Mission108 — Passionate about educating + creating awareness about human trafficking, they also fund a safe home in India.
Lexington Public Library — It aims to connect people, inspire ideas, and transform lives.
Girls on the Run Central Kentucky — Inspiring girls to be joyful, healthy, and confident using experience-based curriculum which integrates running.
Lexington Children's Theatre — Dedicated to the intellectual and cultural enrichment of young people
Makenna Foundation
Bluegrass Bully Rescue — A dog rescue specializing in bully breeds.
Fayette Alliance —Dedicated to achieving sustainable, equitable growth in Lexington-Fayette County
International Book Project — Its goal is to promote education + literacy through the developing world by sending 300,000 books annually.
The Nest Lexington — The Nest aims to transform the lives of those facing adversity through education, counseling, advocacy, and support.
LexArts — The group aims to enrich the lives of individuals + the community through art.
Voices of Hope — Promotes life-long recovery from addiction through support services, advocacy, research, and education
Thoroughbred Charities of America — TCA raises + distributes funds to approved charitable organizations assisting with Thoroughbred rehabilitation
NAMI Lexington —It provides support, education, and advocacy for persons, their family, and providers affected by mental illnesses.
Surgery on Sunday — The nonprofit provides necessary outpatient surgeries at no cost to income-eligible, uninsured, or underinsured individuals who do not qualify for federal or state assistance.
Bluegrass Youth Ballet — Uses dance to help with the development of healthy, well-rounded individuals.
Old Friends Equine — A 263-acre farm that houses and protects rescued and retired horses.
iTN Bluegrass — Provides transportation for seniors and the visually impaired
Lexington Philharmonic — Aims to educate current and future audiences + enrich the lives of Lexington's diverse citizenry through music
YMCA of Central Kentucky — To address critical community needs + implement programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all.
Lighthouse Ministries — Its mission is to feed the hungry, help the hurting and direct the lost
Box2Box — Aims to develop and encourage local youth through sports, positive experiences, and leadership development.

Reader-nominated organizations

Refuge Clinic — This organization gives free medical, dental, and mental health care to people in Lexington + Nicholasville who are 200% under the poverty line.