Ideal Bite

Trying to decide what to do with your tax refund?

05.18.2006

Submitted by idealbite on Thu, 05/18/2006 - 5:00pm.

The Bite:

Here’s a suggestion: regularly donate to organizations that have proven results in helping our favorite girl, Gaia. (Um, Heather would like everyone to know that Jen wrote that line).

The Benefits:

These organizations depend in large part on donations, and you can help make sure they’ll keep fighting the good fight.
Forbes magazine touts the “irrational act” of tithing as a great thing you can do for your own financial good. Why? It requires discipline that shows up in other parts of your life.
Tax-deductible. Get some of that money back next April.

Personally Speaking:

Jen filmed a TV pilot on armchair activists due to her work with 20/20 Vision, and she's still a huge fan (even though she still smarts a little at the fact that it wasn't her big break...).

Wanna Try:

Some of our favorites - share your own faves in the blog:

Environmental Defense - the most respected non-government organization for using the power of the market to effect change.
20/20 Vision - watchdog group supporting PowerShift (ending our dependence on oil).
Environmental Working Group - a small group with a booming effect in creating powerful planetary public policy.
Red Feather - providing green-built homes (with lower operating costs) for Native Americans.
Center for a New American Dream - leaders in educating on responsible consumption.
David Suzuki Foundation - our favorite Canadian charity for you Biters to the North.
Earth Justice - “because the Earth needs a good lawyer.”
Charity Navigator - evaluates charities for their efficiency and reach.