Earth Day 2026 is a chance to do more than celebrate—it’s a chance to get involved and support trusted environmental charities making a difference.
For more than 55 years, Earth Day has brought people together in support of environmental protection.
Launched by U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson after the 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill, it began as a nationwide teach-in and helped build momentum for major environmental actions, including the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency and landmark laws like the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act.
Earth Day 2026’s theme, “Our Power, Our Planet,” highlights that environmental progress isn’t driven by any single administration or election, but by the everyday actions of communities, educators, workers, innovators, and families.
People support environmental causes for many reasons, from a love of nature to concerns about sustainability, health, and justice. If you are looking to get involved this Earth Day, here’s a map of Earth Day Events around the country.
You can also check with local community centers, churches, and schools, which often host their own activities and projects.
Here are a few tips to keep in mind when supporting environmental charities.
Join a Small Share with Big Potential: According to Giving USA’s Annual Report on Philanthropy for 2024, Environmental and Animal causes account for just 3% of all charitable giving. But momentum is building, with donations increasing 7.7% between 2023 and 2024. This Earth Day, you can build on that momentum.
Find the Right Environmental Cause for You: Environmental charities address a wide range of issues, including conservation and wildlife protection, climate change, and environmental justice. As you consider giving, think about which issues matter most to you. Explore our Environmental Charities Cause page to understand the five major categories of environmental organizations to help you find the best fit.
Understand What Your Donation Supports: Do you know what your donation supports? Look for environmental charities that share clear information about their mission, program accomplishments, governance, and finances through their websites, annual reports, and newsletters. These resources can help you understand how your contribution is used and the impact it makes.
Choose Charities You Can Trust: Trust matters when deciding where to give. Look for charities that meet the 20 BBB Standards for Charity Accountability, which evaluate key accountability areas, such as governance, effectiveness assessment, financial responsibility, and accuracy of communication materials, here.
This Earth Day, every action counts. Whether you give, volunteer, or spread awareness, your support can help protect the environment, and the people and animals who depend on it, while creating lasting change.
To help you get started, we have highlighted a list of nationally-soliciting BBB Accredited environmental charities below. These organizations meet all 20 BBB Standards for Charity Accountability.
They reflect a range of missions, from conservation and wildlife protection to climate, parks, and community-based environmental work. Click any of the charity names below to learn more about their programs and to see their full report.
Looking for more options? Explore our full Environmental Charities or Animal Charities cause pages to find additional organizations aligned with your values.
We are always working with charities to publish or update reports for donors. Visit Give.org to check out any charity before giving. Our recently evaluated charities include:
Finally, remember to let us know by going to give.org/charity-inquiry if you are interested in seeing a report on a charity not on the list and we will do our best to produce one.
