The PKD Foundation is the only organization in the U.S. solely dedicated to finding treatments and a cure for polycystic kidney disease (PKD) and to improving the lives of those it affects. Since 1982, we have proudly funded more than 1,300 research projects and leveraged $1.5B in research funds.
This one is on the personal side – as have very dear friend with the disease.
For more information: PKD Foundation
The Orangutan Project was established in 1998 by founder and world-renowned orangutan expert, Leif Cocks, as a result of his 35+ year career working with orangutans – including establishing the most successful breeding colony of orangutans in the world. The Orangutan Project was formed with a key mission; to ensure that Critical Endangered wild orangutan species would be protected against extinction, and would continue to live in secure populations for generations to come.
Today, The Orangutan Project is a dynamic, fast-growing and successful not-for-profit project that supports a wide range of critical projects that address the holistic problem facing remaining fragmented orangutan populations – including fighting deforestation and habitat loss at the highest level.
The projects funded by The Orangutan Project not only include direct orangutan conservation, such as orangutan rescue, rehabilitation and release programs, but also forest habitat protection and regeneration, education, research and local community partnerships. Tying funding into direct outcomes for the species has enabled The Orangutan Project to partner with the majority of orangutan conservation projects operating on the ground today in Borneo and Sumatra.
For More Information: The Orangutan Project
The Vindolanda Charitable Trust was founded in the spring of 1970, with seven Trustees. Three of the whom were members of the Archibald family: Brigadier Brian Archibald, Daphne Archibald and Elizabeth Archibald and three were of the Birley family, Professor Eric Birley, Anthony Birley and Robin Birley. Charles Bosanquet, Vice Chancellor of Newcastle University was the seventh member.
The aims of the Trust, which have remained to this day, were for the archaeological research of the site, making the structures and artefacts available to the interested public, especially educational groups, and engage with people from all walks of life.
The Trust’s assets in 1970 were the 13 acre ‘camp field’, a small garden shed to store tools, a variety of picks and wheelbarrows and the princely sum of £21 in the bank. The formal Vindolanda Trust Excavations, under the direction of Robin Birley during a snow laden Easter, started on the 3rd century military bath house. The student excavators from Alnwick Teacher Training College, were transported each day from their basic accommodation in Haydon Bridge. The Trust had no other facilities, no museum, toilets, car park, electricity, water, telephone and when it rained, no shelter from the elements. By early 1971 it became clear that the aims of the Trust could only be realised with a full- time approach to the work in hand. Robin Birley resigned both his senior lecturing post at Alnwick and his position as a Trustee and became the first Director of the Trust.
These were challenging times that required dedication, passion and nerve but from those humble beginnings the Trust started to grow and the research with it. In 1971 the Trustees also purchased the fort at Magna, Carvoran (next to what is now the Roman Army Museum), 7 miles to the west of Vindolanda to preserve it for future archaeological research. Each year more and more visitors came to Vindolanda to see the new and exciting work taking place so that by 1972 the Charity had enough resources to take on a few full-time members of staff and build two basic Nissen sheds, one to shelter the excavators and the second to act as a small visitor reception and museum. These were later replaced by a temporary classroom generously loaned by Gateshead education Authority.
In 1973 the first of the famous Vindolanda writing tablets were found by Robin Birley and his team as well as many thousands of well-preserved wooden and leather artefacts and the Trust built up enough resources to purchase the once Hedley and Birley nearby family home, Chesterholm cottage, and turn it into a museum. The keys to the house were presented to the Trust on the 28th of October 1974 and by the spring of 1975 the museum was open to the public.
Excavations, education courses and incredible discoveries continued at the site throughout the 1970’s and into the 1980’s and the Trust continued to put every resource it made back into the core objectives of understanding and promoting the history and archaeology of the site. In 1978, some 115,000 people visited Vindolanda making it one of the most popular destinations on Hadrian’s Wall. The Trust became a major employer in the area, taking part in the manpower services scheme, growing its staff from 1 in 1971 to 48 by 2019. From 1969-2019, some 9700 volunteer places have been taken up on the excavations and through that period two generations of Roman archaeologists and specialists have learnt and honed their trade at the site. The Trust has been grateful over many years for the assistance of other Charities and Trusts to help achieve its goals and develop the facilities at the site. These have included the Northern Rock Foundation, the Sir James Knott Trust, One North East, the European Union, Heritage Lottery Fund, The Arts Council for England (ACE) and the English Tourist Board.
In 2009 the Vindolanda Trust was awarded a major grant by One North East (the former Regional Development Agency) and the Heritage Lottery fund to redisplay both the museum at Vindolanda and the Roman Army Museum and to convert the old coach house down the museum drive in to an archaeological study centre. This development transformed those spaces to create the modern 21st century museums at Vindolanda and the Roman Army Museum that the Designated Museum Collections of National importance deserve. Throughout its history the Trust has been deeply grateful for the dedicated work of its staff, board members, patrons, specialists and volunteers in promoting access to the History and Archaeology of the site to all.
It is estimated that there are several hundred years to go before the site of Vindolanda and Magna at the Roman Army Museum are fully explored, and all their secrets will be revealed.
For More Information: Vindolanda
At the Monuments Men and Women Foundation, we honor the legacy of the men and women who served in the Monuments, Fine Arts and Archives section (also known as the Monuments Men and Women) and their unprecedented and heroic work protecting and safeguarding civilization’s most important artistic and cultural treasures from armed conflict. We build on these standards established during WWII to create awareness and improve results in cultural heritage preservation. Our commitment to preserving the past is driven by the belief that cultural heritage plays a vital role in shaping our present and future.
During its first decade of operations, the Foundation successfully raised worldwide awareness about the Monuments Men and Women through film, television, and books, honored their military service through the awarding of the Congressional Gold Medal – the highest civilian honor bestowed by the United States, and preserved their legacy through a partnership with the National World War II Museum making the Foundation’s incomparable archives and artifacts accessible to students and scholars around the world. In November 2023, the Museum opened its Liberation Pavilion, featuring a permanent exhibition in the world about the Monuments Men and Women, the first of its kind.
More Information: Monuments Foundation
I know I post about these guys usually twice a year, but they deserve the recognition for the work they do.
Information: World Central Kitchen
It’s a terrible disease on the person and their loved ones.
Please take a moment to donate to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Information: Alzheimer’s Association
The Vindolanda Charitable Trust was founded in the spring of 1970, with seven Trustees. Three of the whom were members of the Archibald family: Brigadier Brian Archibald, Daphne Archibald and Elizabeth Archibald and three were of the Birley family, Professor Eric Birley, Anthony Birley and Robin Birley. Charles Bosanquet, Vice Chancellor of Newcastle University was the seventh member.
The aims of the Trust, which have remained to this day, were for the archaeological research of the site, making the structures and artefacts available to the interested public, especially educational groups, and engage with people from all walks of life.
For More Information: Vindolanda Trust
This Foundation – The Mark Hughes Foundation (MHF) – is a Non-Profit, Health Promotion Charity that my wife Kirralee and I began in 2014, after I was diagnosed with brain cancer. We began the Foundation when we realised how underfunded brain cancer was in Australia in comparison to other cancers. The lack of funding meant very little research into treatments or cures for brain cancer and, as a result, not much has changed in the shocking brain cancer mortality rates over the past 30 years.
We had no idea when we started our Foundation and set about raising funds for some much needed research, the incredible amount of support we would receive from people everywhere.
In 2014 we kicked off our first simple fundraiser, Beanie for Brain Cancer Campaign. Since then we have grown from selling a few hundred beanies locally to joining forces with the National Rugby League to create an annual Beanie for Brain Cancer Round.
Our Beanie campaign is now a nationally recognised fundraiser which has seen almost 1 million beanies sold!
For More Information: Beanie for Brain Cancer
To day is Save the Eagles day so I figured this would be a good charity to showcase!
The National Eagle Center encapsulates a world in which the iconic power and presence of eagles are known, respected, advocated for, and protected.
Located in Wabasha, Minnesota, we’re home to several non-releasable Bald Eagles and a nesting place for hundreds of others who come for the winter.
Whether you wish to see these beautiful creatures up close, observe them in their prime habitat, incorporate our research into your own teachings, or donate to support our mission, we have a way for you to get involved.
For More Information: National Eagle Center
As we’re getting close to 2024 … which totally blows the mind!
Send me your favorite charities so can add them to next year listings.
This month is Breast Cancer Awareness. I know many on this group have been touched by the impact of Breast Cancer.
This month we’re showcasing Breast Cancer Research Foundation:
At BCRF, we believe in the power of proof. Just as science is built upon evidence, we expect our research to deliver results. We invest your donations in ideas that will turn into action. To us, progress means making discoveries in the lab that will have a meaningful impact on breast cancer patients today as well as tomorrow.
Since 1993—and because of your generosity—BCRF-supported investigators have been deeply involved in every major advance in breast cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment and survivorship. Your support has funded more than 17 million hours of research, bringing us all closer to prevention and cure.
Please make a donation – what they’ve accomplished in learning about cancer and how to treat it has been exceptional.
I’m dedicating this month’s charity donations to Janelle – who we last earlier this year to Breast Cancer.
For more information: Breast Cancer Research Foundation
I know I post this one a lot, but they are always there when people need them.
From Ukraine to Maui to Florida – they are there to help those who need a warm meal
The last original member, Richard Barancik, of the Monuments Men passed recently. Please consider donating this month in his memory.
These men and women have done so much to preserve history, art and culture. And they continue to fight for the preservation of historical monuments.
For More Information: Monuments Men Foundation
At the Gary Sinise Foundation, we serve our nation by honoring our defenders, veterans, first responders, their families, and those in need.
We do this by creating and supporting unique programs designed to entertain, educate, inspire, strengthen, and build communities.
For More Information: Gary Sinise Foundation
In honor of Pride Month
We make aging better for LGBTQ+ people nationwide. How? We show up and speak out for the issues that matter to us. We teach. We answer your calls. We connect—generations, each other, allies. We win. And together, we celebrate. Learn more about our mission and core values.
For More Information: SAGE