The Covid-19 pandemic has generated widespread suffering around the globe. In the U.S. alone, tens of thousands have died and more than 22 million people have lost their jobs. The situation has generated urgent material needs for families across the country. In communities across the country, people are stepping up to meet those needs directly by donating food, making masks for essential workers, and donating to money to help workers who have been laid off.

At the same time, the crisis demonstrates that government – at the federal and local level – is the only actor capable of meeting people’s needs at scale of society as a whole. Local charities and voluntary giving can be part of the solution, but without continued, large-scale government action, we simply cannot confront the public health and economic crisis we now face. But the criminal actions of the Trump Administration and Republicans in Congress is leading to tens of thousands of preventable deaths and directing resources toward wealthy corporations instead of everyday people, healthcare providers, and local governments all of who desperately need resources.

Here’s the truth: Unless we defeat Donald Trump and the Republicans in November, the situation is going to get much worse for tens of millions of people in this country, especially in communities who are already most vulnerable. If like my family, you’re fortunate enough to have kept your job and have access to healthcare, consider making a donation to grassroots organizations who are working to defeat Trump and Republicans in November and are doing the long-term work required to build a society that ensures every human being has what they need to thrive.

For the last decade, I’ve been fortunate enough to work with grassroots organizations in states across the country. Many of these organizations are well-known in the states and towns where they work, but little known in comparison to the large progressive organizations whose email lists you may already be on. By donating directly to these organizations, you can send money to folks who are on the frontlines of their communities, talking to their friends and neighbors every day. And unlike political candidates, you can rest assured that win or lose in November, they’ll continue working in those communities after the election ends.

Okay, with that intro, here’s the list of organizations that I’d recommend folks make a donation to.*

Key Local Organizations in Presidential Swing States

Trump won Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania with razor thin margins in 2016. This year, they are again likely to be three of the most important states for determining the outcome of the presidential election. Here are key organizations to support in each state:

• Citizen Action Wisconsin is a statewide organization with more than 42,000 individual members and a presence in all major districts. Learn more and donate here.

• We the People Michigan is a multi-racial grassroots organization, with chapters in several different corners of the state, advocating for a member-created people’s agenda. Learn more and donate here.

• Michigan United is another multi-racial grassroots organization with chapters in different corners of Michigan. Learn more and donate here.

• Pennsylvania Stands Up is a multi-racial organization with 9 chapters in some of the most consequential districts in 2020. Learn more and donate here.

Florida, Arizona and North Carolina are three other states that are also widely agreed to be crucial swing states in 2020. Arizona and North Carolina also have notable Senate races. Here are key organizations to support in those states:

• New Florida Majority organizes marginalized communities to build an inclusive, equitable and just democracy for all. Read an Op-ed in the New York Times from their director and donate here.

• Living United for Change in Arizona (LUCHA) does incredible organizing work with the Latino community in Arizona. Read an Op-ed in the New York Times from their directors and donate here.

• Down Home North Carolina is an organization that primarily organizes working people in small towns. Learn more and donate here.

Finally, there are two states that Clinton won in 2016 by a razor thin margin and which remain important in 2020: Maine and Minnesota. We may also be able to replace Maine Senator Susan Collin with a Democrat and Minnesota includes several toss-up House seats.

• Maine People’s Alliance is one of the most powerful people’s organizations in the country, with a huge per capita membership among Mainers. Their main website is currently undergoing maintenance, but check out their progressive news site and give them a donation here.

• Faith in Minnesota does incredible work organizing faith communities to get involved in community issues and politics. Learn more and donate here.

• Take Action Minnesota is another fantastic, multi-racial organization working in multiple locations in the state of Minnesota. Learn more and donate here.

Key Constituency Organizations and Networks to Support

In addition to these local organizations, consider supporting national organizations that work with key constituencies either online or through networks of local organizations.

• Native Organizers Alliance will be supporting organizing in a number of the states above where the Native vote will play a key role in determining the outcome of the presidential election and key Senate races. Native Americans have consistently been subject to some of the most intense voter disenfranchisement efforts in the country, and NOA has been at the forefront of organizing tribal nations to exercise their democratic rights. Learn more and donate here.

• People’s Action is a national community organizing network that will be supporting many of the local organizations above with training, technical support, and other resources, particularly when it comes to reaching voters in small towns and rural communities. Learn more and donate here.

• Justice is Global is a coalition of organizations working to build popular support for rewriting the rules of the global economy to create a world that works for everyone. In the US, they work with a number of the organization’s listed above to provide training and enable local organizations to think about the global dimensions of their work. Learn more and donate here.

• Mijente is a network of radical Latinx and Chicanx organizers working to #FueraTrump in 2020. Learn more and donate here.

• Color of Change is a 21st century civil rights organization, doing key work to engage and mobilize black voters. Learn more and donate here.

• Supermajority is an organizing effort dedicated to mobilizing women of all races to reach out to other women. Learn more and donate here.

It’s going to take all of us

The 2020 election is going to be a big one. The wellbeing of millions of people in this country is on the line. And, as we’ve seen through Trump’s threat to cut WHO funding, because of the outsized role the US plays in world politics, what happens here will impact the lives of many others around the globe, too.

If you have resources, please consider making a donation of your stimulus funds – or more! – to one of the organizations listed above or another organization that is working to shape the outcome of the 2020 election. If all of us work together, we work towards build a government that directs resources and support to those who need them most now, as we build toward a future where everyone can thrive.

* Please note: This list is in no way exhaustive. It’s based upon my personal experience working with these groups and there are certainly other worthy organizations that are not listed here.

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