Our 16 Favorite Florida Charities in 2024

Last Updated on April 12, 2024

The Team at Authentic Florida loves giving back by sharing information on many charities and non-profit organizations doing great work throughout the Sunshine State.

We narrowed this list to 16 of our favorite Florida charities, all of which help our beloved state’s citizens, wildlife, and ecosystems.

We know many other Florida charities and non-profit organizations are doing fantastic work as well, so please know how difficult it was for us to select only fifteen.

Best Florida Charities in 2024

Give Kids the World

Give Kids The World Village is an 89-acre, whimsical nonprofit resort in Kissimmee, Florida. This charity partners with other organizations to offer memory-making vacations to critically ill children who visit Central Florida.

They set up visits to local theme parks while offering a safe living environment for various medical needs. The village has welcomed more than 180,000 families from around the world.

A visit to Give Kids the World is a magical one that gives children one last chance at a magical vacation while fighting critical illness.

TIPS:

• Hosting a fundraiser with a group is a great way to support Give Kids the World.
• Volunteers are a huge part of what Give Kids the World does. You can volunteer in a variety of positions.
• Give Kids the World hosts a variety of events to help support the incredible work they do.

Give Kids the World Address: 210 S Bass Rd, Kissimmee, FL 34746

Learn more about Give Kids the World.

After volunteering, check out the 22 Best Things to Do in Kissimmee, FL.

One Heart for Women and Children

One Heart for Women and Children is a nonprofit organization in Central Florida that focuses on providing essential needs to individuals who are homeless or are in times of transition. 

Whenever there is a community demand, you can count on the One Heart Team to provide a helping hand.

100% of donations benefit the organization, which has become primarily a food pantry based on current community needs. They also do outreach services and run a terrific thrift store. 

TIPS:

• Donation drop-off: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm and Saturday from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm. 
• Food pantry hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm.
• For a list of items needed, check out their Food Pantry page.
• Thrift store hours: Saturday from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm.
• For a list of items accepted at the Thrift Shop, visit their Thrift Store page.
• There are many ways to support this charity: donate, volunteer, give goods, make an impact, play golf

One Heart for Women and Children Address: 2040 N Rio Grande Ave, Orlando, FL 32804

Learn more about One Heart for Women and Children and ways to help.

Get to know Orlando neighborhoods like a local. Check out 7 Ways to Experience Orlando Like a Local

Bears Who Care

Bears Who Care brings comfort and engages the imaginations of ill and disadvantaged children during times of need by distributing teddy bears and books.

These items inspire the children and create happy memories for years to come.

Bears Who Care hosts a yearly charity run – the OktoBEARfest 5K Fun Run and Walk. Although it takes place in Winter Garden, you can also do it virtually from anywhere.

This year’s event is on October 22nd in Winter Garden. Several soap stars will be participating in the walk this year.

TIPS:

• One of the best ways to get involved is to join the OktoBearFest 5k event.
• If you donate $25, you will receive your own teddy bear and provide bears for three children.
• There are a variety of ways to volunteer including hosting a build-a-bear party.

Bears Who Care OktoBEARfest Address: Orlando Health Horizon West, 17000 Porter Road, Winter Garden, FL 34787

Learn more about Bears Who Care and register for OktoBearFest.

Just in case the 5K inspires you, here’s An Authentic Florida Irish Pub Road Trip.

Save the Manatee Club

Save the Manatee Club was founded in 1981 by Bob Graham (a former Florida Governor and U.S. Senator) and singer/songwriter Jimmy Buffett.

The Club was started with the mission to protect manatees and their habitat.

Today, Save the Manatee Club is the world’s leading manatee conservation organization.

TIPS:

• Adopt a manatee to help contribute to the cause and get a small gift in the mail.
• Save the Manatees has free resources and printable items to help you support manatee protection.
• Volunteer opportunities include festivals, fieldwork, manatee ambassador positions, and more.

Save the Manatee Club Address: 317 Wekiva Springs Rd, Longwood, FL 32779

Learn more about the Save the Manatee Club.

Discover where you can observe Florida manatees: Great Places To See Florida Manatees.

Sea Turtle Conservancy

The Sea Turtle Conservancy was founded in 1959 to save sea turtles from eminent extinction through rigorous science-based conservation.

The organization carries out worldwide programs to conserve and recover sea turtle populations.

This is accomplished via research, education, advocacy, and protection of the natural habitats upon which they depend.

TIPS:

• The Sea Turtle Conservancy hosts a variety of events including the Tour De Turtles in Vero Beach to help educate people about sea turtles.
• You can track active sea turtles through the Sea Turtle Conservancy Website.
• Adopt a Turtle is a great way to help contribute to the efforts while getting some fun mementos for yourself.

Sea Turtle Conservancy Address: 4581 NW 6th St suite a, Gainesville, FL 32609

Learn more about the Sea Turtle Conservancy.

Get the 4-1-1 on Florida’s Sea Turtle Season: The 2023 Florida Sea Turtle Season is Back.

Florida Wildlife Federation

Florida Wildlife Federation’s mission is to conserve Florida’s wildlife, habitats, and natural resources through education, advocacy, and science-based stewardship.

They believe we must protect, restore, and connect our remaining wildlife habitats in a rapidly developing state and address ongoing climate change.

Moreover, we must safeguard water quality and quantity as clean water is critically important to both humans and wildlife.

TIPS:

• Becoming a member will allow you to attend events, receive promotional items, and get conservation alerts.
• Florida Wildlife Federation has an annual photo contest featuring nature and wildlife photography.
• Keep an eye on their Facebook page to see the events and expos they will be a part of.

Florida Wildlife Federation Address: 2545 Blairstone Pines Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32301

Learn more about the Florida Wildlife Federation.

Clean the World

Clean the World distributes recycled soap and hygiene products from more than 8,000+ hotel and resort partners to children and families in countries with a high death rate due to hygiene-related illnesses.

Clean the World accomplishes its mission by collecting and recycling discarded soap and plastic amenity bottles from participating hospitality partners.

TIPS:

• Groups can host Clean the World Hygiene Kit events and you can find all details on the Clean the World Website.
• Clean the World goes into crisis situations and brings in hygiene items to help people stay clean and safe from infectious diseases.
• If you have been wondering why this organization is so important, learn more about the importance of WASH.

Clean the World Address: 2544 E Landstreet Rd Suite 600. Orlando FL 32824

Learn more about Clean the World.

Center for Great Apes

The Center for Great Apes’ mission is to provide a permanent sanctuary for orangutans and chimpanzees who have been rescued.

Many are retired from the entertainment industry, research, the exotic pet trade, or other situations where great apes need rescue and lifetime care.

The Center provides care with dignity in a safe, healthy, and enriching environment for all sanctuary residents.

TIPS:

• This facility is not open to the public. To visit you would have to be a hero-level member and then you can do a membership tour.
• If you are looking for another way to show your support, you can adopt an ape.
• You can intern for 3 months at the center.

Center for Great Apes Address: 5843 Van Simmons Rd, Wauchula, FL 33873

Learn more about the Center for Great Apes in Wauchula, Florida, at Center for Great Apes.

If you love monkeys and apes, don’t miss the 5 Places to See Monkeys in Florida.

Reef Relief

Reef Relief is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to improving and protecting our coral reef ecosystem. They partner with schools, advocate with the government, run an environmental center, and so much more to protect the reefs.

This Florida charity focuses on rigorous science to educate the public & advocate for policymakers to achieve the conservation, protection, and restoration of coral reefs.

TIPS:

• Become a member to donate to the cause and be a part of community engagement and supporter events.
• Take part in beach clean-ups and reef-cleaning events by checking out the events on the Reef Relief website.
• Have your children take part in Coral Camp every spring break.
• Reef Relief also has free educational materials for classroom usage.

Learn more about Reef Relief.

Reef Relief Address: 631 Greene Street, Key West, FL 33040

The Nature Conservancy in Florida

The mission of The Nature Conservancy is to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends. Since 1961, they’ve been working in Florida to do just that.

The Nature Conservancy helps protect over 1.2 million acres of vulnerable lands and waters in Florida.

In addition, they own and manage 40,000+ acres in Florida, including four preserves that are open to the public.

• Apalachicola Bluffs and Ravines Preserve
• Blowing Rocks Preserve, Jupiter Island, Hobe Sound
• Disney Wilderness Preserve
• Tiger Creek Preserve

TIPS:

• The Garden of Eden hiking trail is a 3.75-mile round-trip and is found in the Apalachicola Bluffs and Ravines Preserve.
• Blowing Rocks Preserve has trails, and beach access, and will charge a $2 per person admission fee.
• Disney Wilderness Preserve has 3 trails ranging in length from .5 mile to 2.5 mile loops.
• When visiting Tiger Creek Preserve make sure to only go on blazed trails.

Learn more about The Nature Conservancy in Florida.

The Nature Conservancy in Florida Address: 1035 S. Semoran Blvd. Suite 2-1021B Winter Park, FL 32792

Audubon Center for Birds of Prey

Located in the City of Maitland and the Town of Eatonville, this urban environmental Audubon Center focuses on the rescue, medical treatment, rehabilitation, and the release of Florida’s raptors.

Visitors can learn about the unique adaptations of raptors, the challenges they face and the many ways to get involved with helping birds of prey.

In addition, they focus on the essential habitats and resources they depend on. Don’t miss the annual Baby Owl Shower.

TIPS:

• Follow their Facebook Page for updates about events.
• Audubon Center for Birds of Prey offers volunteer opportunities for individuals and groups.
• Looking for a way to help? Adopt a raptor for yourself or as a gift.
• Another way to support the charity is to book the venue for your next event.

Audubon Center for Birds of Prey Address: 1101 Audubon Way, Maitland, FL 32751

Learn more about the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey.

Mystic Jungle Educational Facility

Mystic Jungle Educational Facility is located in Live Oak, Florida. Their focus is on conservation, preservation, and education for the public.

They focus on teaching about all species of exotic animals.

They put a spotlight on the Asian Leopard that is being eradicated at an alarming rate in India. The animals they currently house include lions, tigers, leopards, foxes, leopards, and lemurs.

Mystic Jungle creates lifetime homes for all the creatures that enter their doors.

TIPS:

• Tours start at 11:00 am, 1:00 pm, 2:30 pm, and 4:00 pm Saturdays only.
• Tours – $10.00 per guest with children 3 and under free.
• No Reservation is needed.
• Follow their Facebook Page for updates on events and activities.

For more information, visit the Mystic Jungle website.

Flamingo Clay Studios

Flamingo Clay Studios is located in Lake Worth Beach, Florida. They are focused on making the arts accessible to everyone.

Flamingo Clay Studios offers classes, community service opportunities, and a supportive environment for artists in Palm Beach County. You may pay a small fee for most of these classes.

All profits from classes go back into the charity. This helps them offer free art classes for teens they work with.

The studio is an artist cooperative that provides space for hundreds of Palm Beach County artists to create, display, and sell their work. You might even see an artist creating their works of art when visiting.

They are currently needed financial support to be able to stay at their current location. Please visit the Flamingo Clay Studio Building Fund website to help.

TIPS:

• Flamingo Clay Studio is open Wednesday through Monday from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. 
• Check out Flamingo Clay Studio’s Facebook page for the latest information on events and workshops.   
• Studio Membership is limited to 10 off-season and 14 during the season. (There is a waitlist if you are interested.)

For more information, visit the official Flamingo Clay Studio website. 

Flamingo Clay Studio Address: 15 S J St., Lake Worth Beach, FL 33460

Museum of Motherhood

The Museum of Motherhood registered as a 501c3 non-profit, inspires and informs lives through exhibitions, education, internships, and residencies online and at the MOM Art Annex in St. Petersburg, Florida.

In 2010, Joy Rose, aided by a team of academics and businesswomen, started the first-ever Museum of Motherhood on the Upper Eastside of Manhattan.

The 1920s bungalow in historic Kenwood (St. Pete) serves as an artist residency space for ongoing exhibitions on motherhood.

This is where students and researchers further their work about (m)others and families.

TIPS:

• The MOM Art Annex in St. Pete conducts daily free tours for up to six people by advance registration.
• Most of the space features a permanent collection.
• The museum features Mother The Job and the Art of Motherhood worldwide.
• They accept donations and residencies by application only.
• Tours are by appointment only and can also be made online by writing [email protected] or by calling 207.504.3001.

The Museum of Motherhood address: 538 28th St. North St. Pete, Florida 33713 

For more information, visit: www.MOMmuseum.org

After visiting the Museum of Motherhood, check out the Top 5 Things to Do in St. Pete, FL.

Florida Springs Institute

The Florida Springs Council (FSC) is a nonprofit organization founded in 2016. They focus on protecting and restoring Florida’s beautiful and vital freshwater springs.

The Florida Springs Council originally started as a coalition of conservation organizations.

Before forming this coalition, smaller groups like Friends of Wekiva, Rainbow River Conservation, and Ichetucknee Alliance, and organizations like Save the Manatee Club and Sierra Club were all working to protect Florida’s springs individually.

These local groups and larger conservation groups decided to combine their efforts and joined together to form the Florida Springs Council.

TIPS:

• The council hosts and participates in many events throughout the year.
• The council does informal Q&As, guest lectures, charity bingo nights, and more.
• One of the biggest events of the year is Florida Springsfest.

• You can receive cool stickers and magnets as a thank-you for your support.
• In addition, shirts and hoodies for purchase support the fight against the Ginnie Springs bottling permit.
• You can become an Informed Member for free and receive news and updates on what the council is working on.
• You can become a Sustaining Member by making a monthly donation to support the mission. 

Florida Springs Council Address: PO Box 358191, Gainesville, FL 32635

For more information, visit the Florida Springs Council.

After spending the day at Springfest, check out 10 Awesome Things To Do in Gainesville.

Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation

Having transitioned from the Legacy Institute for Nature and Culture (LINC), the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation champions a collaborative campaign to permanently connect, protect, and restore the Florida Wildlife Corridor.

Florida Wildlife Corridor

The Florida Wildlife Corridor is a statewide network of connected lands and waters that supports wildlife and people.

The Florida Wildlife Corridor comprises nearly 18 million acres of contiguous wilderness and working lands crucial to the survival of many of Florida’s 131 imperiled animals.

The Florida Wildlife Corridor project was founded by Dr. Tom Hoctor, Director of the Center for Landscape & Conservation Planning at the University of Florida, and Carlton Ward Jr, a Conservation Photographer.

Annual Florida Wildlife Corridor Summit

The Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation holds a summit called Corridor Connect. This year’s theme is Ecology and Economy for a Better Florida.

The 2023 Corridor Connect Summit will be held on September 26 – 28 in Orlando.

You can view the Florida Wildlife Corridor videos on the PBS Website.

TIPS:

• To stay up-to-date on the Foundation’s initiatives as well as special events and activities, follow their Facebook page.
• You can find various resources and printables on the Florida Wildlife Corridor Resource Site.
• The Florida Wildlife Corridor uses film, photography, painting, drawing, mapping, storytelling, and expeditions to raise awareness.

Florida Wildlife Corridor Address: 2606 Fairfield Ave S. BLDG #7. St. Petersburg, FL 33712

For more information, visit the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation website.

NOTE: This is our go-to source to discover Florida charities in specific locations or focus on certain causes around the state: https://www.nonprofitlist.org/FloridaNonProfits.html

If you have a favorite charity in Florida that you like use to consider highlighting in 2023, please feel free to post about it in the comments below or email us at [email protected].

Looking for more places to learn about and support the greater good in Florida? Check out:

• 11 U.S. National Parks in Florida You’ll Love
• Exploring the Extraordinary Florida Everglades
• Cowboys Once Roamed: Kissimmee Prairie Preserve
• Tiger Creek Preserve: Part of Florida’s Ancient Islands
• Revisiting the Babcock Ranch
• Our 20 Favorite Florida Zoos & Gardens
• Types of Outdoor Adventure Trails in Florida
• 32 Florida Museums in the Time Travelers Network – 2023
• A Slice of Natural Beauty at St. Mark’s Wildlife Refuge