Spooky Causes to Give to on Giving Tuesday — Spooky Little Halloween (2024)

(All my best ones do, really, like the time I wondered how many versions of "Monster Mash" exist...)

You may not know this, but I've spent roughly 13 years of my career working for a nonprofit. (Girl Scouts, to be exact.) A few years ago, I started wondering if Halloween nonprofits exist - the type of organizations that are out there doing good work and need donations to keep running.

All it took was a few Google searches to find some spooky causes, so I'm sharing them with you on Giving Tuesday in the hopes of one catching your eye. By the way, if you aren't familiar with Giving Tuesday, it's the Tuesday after Thanksgiving in the U.S. when you are encouraged to give back to some of your favorite organizations. Learn more.

Bat Conservation International

As Halloween lovers, we all adore our little batty friends. But they can face a lot of challenges, so I'm glad there's a nonprofit like Bat Conservation International that is working to prevent the extinction of bats and their habitats. LEARN MORE + DONATE

Black Cat Holistic Rescue

And as long as we're thinking about our familiars, here's a group for black cat lovers to check out. Did you know black cats are half as likely to be adopted from shelters as other cats? BCHR is a no-kill animal rescue that specializes in rescuing black cats from area shelters in Los Angeles. LEARN MORE + DONATE

Consider looking for similar rescues in your area to support. Search black cat rescue + your town/city to see if any are near you.

Cemetery Conservators for United Standards

As a lover of historic cemeteries, I've seen my fair share of immaculately-kept cemeteries...and those that need some serious TLC. Cemetery conservation and restoration is tedious, expensive work, so I'm glad nonprofits like this one exist. LEARN MORE + DONATE

Consider looking for local historic cemeteries in your area to support. Search historic cemetery + your town/city to see what is near you.

Costume Connections

Costumes Connections started very simply: founder Michelle Burns collected old costumes to donate to children who didn't have any. After it was shared on social media, she found herself overwhelmed with costume donations and able to bring a little Halloween magic to more children than ever before.

In June 2017, Costume Connections became a nonprofit, and donations to the organization are used towards purchasing new costumes and refreshing gently used costumes. LEARN MORE + DONATE

Don't Be a Monster

This bullying prevention program is one of my favorites to follow on social media! The organization hosts school assemblies where they teach children how to prevent bullying using their mascot, Frank. (Who looks a bit like Frankenstein!) They truly do some amazing work.

It's also one I have a personal connection to! I did a Q&A with DBAM, and in August 2020 we raised more than $1,000 together for Frank's Virtual Fun Run. We also donated $258 to the organization from the sale of my 2020 Quarantine-O-Ween Zine. LEARN MORE + DONATE

Spirit of Children

If you've ever shopped in a Spirit Halloween store, you've been asked to donate to Spirit of Children - and I hope you do! I always add a few dollars to my purchases because they help Spirit Halloween host parties for kiddos in hospitals. As of Nov. 2022, Spirit has 154 partner hospitals across the U.S. and Canada. The thing I like best about making a donation? It goes back to a hospital right in my area!

You don't have to wait for Spirit Halloween to pop up again though if this cause moves you - you can donate online all year. LEARN MORE + DONATE

Teal Pumpkin Project

If you've ever seen a teal pumpkin in a store during the Halloween season and thought, "That's weird...and cool," I'm betting you didn't know it's actually a movement to provide kiddos with allergies non-food treat options while trick-or-treating. Houses that provide these treats are encouraged to put a teal pumpkin by their front door so trick-or-treaters with allergies know the house is safe for them! The program is through FARE (Food Allergy Research & Education).

Check them out for more on how you can support food allergy research! LEARN MORE + DONATE

'Ween Dream

This organization also gives Halloween costumes to children in need. You can donate costumes, make a purchase off the organization's Amazon wish list or simply make a monetary donation so they can purchase new costumes for next Halloween! LEARN MORE + DONATE

Y'alloween

And finally, I had to share one local fave—Y'alloween. Like 'Ween Dream, Y'alloween accepts donations to purchase and collects costumes for children in need. But the cool thing about this nonprofit? It was started by a teen here in Houston! LEARN MORE + DONATE

What is your favorite spooky cause to give back to?

I'd love to learn about more nonprofits we can support together.

If you have a favorite cause you support as a Halloween lover, share it in the comments!