Disclaimer: This post is reflective of our company while under the name Pledgeling and the listed information may be outdated. Please refer to our main company website on Pledge for current information and resources.
March not only allows us to celebrate a new season it also allows us to recognize and honor a variety of important causes as both individuals and communities. We invite you to consider making donations to the following list of organizations that are highlighted this month based on a calendar of traditional cause themes and days of special recognition.
You will also notice each cause’s alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which is a global framework that was adopted by the United Nations in 2015 to address the world’s most pressing causes.
Looking for more inspiration? Be sure to follow our social media accounts (@Pledgeling) where we provide more content about the events, campaigns, and partners who are joining us in the #PledgeToDoGood.
Here is your monthly guide of causes and nonprofits that you can easily support through Pledgeling as a way to honor these special dates. Our platform and products make it easy to donate to any cause of your choice. Happy Giving!
Women’s History Month
SDG Alignment: #5 Gender Equality
Women’s History Month is an annual declared celebration to highlight the contributions of women throughout history and in contemporary society, which coincides with March 8th’s International Women’s Day. It began back in 1981 when Congress gave authority to the President to declare the week beginning on March 7th “Women’s History Week,” eventually designating the entire month in 1987. During this month, we are encouraged to not only learn from female voices of past and present, but we also can support various organizations that help promote equality among genders and promote female empowerment, such as:
March 3rd: World Wildlife Day
SDG Alignment: #14 Life Below Water, #15 Life on Land
On World Wildlife Day, the goal is to celebrate the special place of wild plants and animals in their many varied and beautiful forms as a component of the world’s biological diversity. The day is also about raising awareness of the multitude of benefits of wildlife to people, particularly to those communities who live in closest proximity to it, and discuss the threats they are facing. There is an urgent need for governments, civil society, private sector actors, and individuals to add their voices and take actions to help conserve wildlife and ensure its continued use is sustainable. Help support the causes that help conserve biodiversity, such as:
March 8th: International Women’s Day
SDG Alignment: #5 Gender Equality
International Women’s Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women’s equality. IWD has occurred for well over a century, with the first gathering occurring in 1911 supported by over a million people. While not sponsored by a specific organization, this day is a perfect opportunity to support organizations that promote gender equality and female empowerment, such as:
- Global Fund for Women
- Women’s Empowerment International
- Set Up Women’s Network
- UN Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund
March 18th: Global Recycling Day
SDG Alignment: #11 Sustainable Cities and Communities, #12 Responsible Consumption and Production
Global Recycling Day was created in 2018 to help recognise and celebrate the importance that recycling plays in preserving our precious primary resources and securing the future of our planet. It is a day for the world to come together and put the planet first. The mission of Global Recycling Day, as set out by the Global Recycling Foundation, is to tell world leaders that recycling is simply too important not to be a global issue, and that a common approach to recycling is urgently needed. Help support the organizations that promote recycling and sustainability like those seen below:
March 21: International Day for Elimination of Racial Discrimination (#EndRacismDay)
SDG Alignment: #10 Reduced Inequalities
Although one day cannot be enough to address the racial inequalities that face both our nation and the world today, the International Day for Elimination of Racial Discrimination, otherwise known as End Racism Day, was established by the United Nations to celebrate human unity and the diversity of human race. It’s an opportunity to recognize prejudice, stereotypes, and discrimination in our society and how many of our own prejudices have allowed us to exclude or discriminate against a group of people without even realizing it. By recognizing this day, we can reaffirm our commitment to eliminating all forms of racism and help build communities and societies where all citizens can live with dignity, respect, and peace. Here are a few organizations that help support that mission:
- Trayvon Martin Foundation
- United Negro College Foundation
- National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)
March 21: International Day of Forests
SDG Cause Alignment: #7 Affordable and Clean Energy, #13 Climate Action
The International Day of Forests was established by the UN General Assembly in 2012. This day was designed to celebrate and raise awareness of the importance of all types of forests. On each International Day of Forests, countries are encouraged to undertake local, national and international efforts to organize activities involving forests and trees, such as tree planting campaigns. You can also participate by joining the conversation online using #IntlForestDay and supporting one of the following organizations that help support forest preservation:
- American Forests
- Save the Redwoods League
- Trees for the Future, Inc.
- National Forest Foundation
- One Tree Planted
March 22: World Water Day
SDG Cause Alignment: #1 No Poverty, #3 Good Health and Well-being, #6 Clean Water and Sanitation
Established in 1993, World Water Day is an annual United Nations Observance focusing on the importance of freshwater. It raises awareness of the 2.2 billion people living without access to safe water, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goal set by the UN to establish water and sanitation for all by the year 2030. To observe this day, many people and organizations host World Water Day events and participate in the global public campaign, which this year focuses on how people value water for all its uses. You can also support this day by donating to an organization that supports this idea and its main mission to provide clean water for all, like these below:
March 27: Earth Hour
SDG Cause Alignment: #7 Affordable and Clean Energy, #13 Climate Action, #11 Sustainable Cities and Communities, #12 Responsible Consumption and Production
Started by World Wildlife Fund and partners as a symbolic lights-out event in Sydney in 2007, Earth Hour is now one of the world's largest grassroots movements for the environment. Held every year on the last Saturday of March, Earth Hour engages millions of people in more than 180 countries and territories, switching off their lights to show support for our planet. Earth Hour goes far beyond the symbolic action of switching off though and has become a catalyst for positive environmental impact, driving major legislative changes by harnessing the power of the people and collective action. To help participate, you can support these key organizations working to help save our planet:
Lastly, we want to continue recognizing how Racial Justice and COVID-19 remain important causes to support throughout the year:
- For a more comprehensive list of 20+ organizations fighting for racial and social justice, please visit this link.
- For a more comprehensive list of 20+ organizations fighting against COVID-19, please visit our COVID-19 Relief Efforts Blog Post.
Thank you for being part of the #PledgeToDoGood!