Traditions.
They play such an important role in our holiday celebrations (although, to be honest, there may be some traditions each of us would happily retire).
But ever since I began NICABM, there’s one holiday tradition that always brings me a deep sense of joy.
During this season, I take time to reflect on our charitable giving for the year.
In 2025, NICABM gave away $450,000 to organizations making an impact locally, in the US, and around the world.
When we’re picking out organizations, we don’t just give to the biggest names. We try to find the organizations doing great work that aligns with our values and makes the most of every dollar we give.
The World – $172,800
The Citizens Foundation – $35,000
Building and running gender-equal schools in Pakistan
Save the Children – $25,000
Dedicated to ensuring every child has a healthy start, the chance to learn, and protection from harm
Innovations for Poverty Action – $20,000
Runs randomized controlled trials to assess interventions to reduce poverty
Evidence Action – $20,000
Scales evidence-based programs to reduce the burden of poverty
Amnesty International – $15,000
Helps fight abuses of human rights worldwide
ANERA – $10,000
Helps refugees in Palestine, Lebanon, and Jordan
Doctors Without Borders – $10,000
Provides medical humanitarian assistance to those who need it most
Partners in Health – $10,000
Provides high-quality healthcare in some of the world’s poorest places
CouldYou? Cup – $5,000
Provides menstrual cups for students in Africa
GiveDirectly – $5,000
Allows donors to send money directly to those in need with no strings attached. All funds went to recipients in Africa.
Camfed – $5,000
Provides educational opportunities for girls in rural areas of Africa
Human Rights Watch – $5,000
Conducts research and advocates for human rights
World Wildlife Fund – $2,500
Fights for wilderness preservation
Village Impact – $2,000
Provides educational opportunities for children in rural Kenya
Friends of Ecole Agape – $2,000
Supports the only free girl’s school in Haiti
The Baa Foundation – $1,000
Provides free health care and education in developing areas of India
ANERA (in memory of Henry Krisch) – $300
Helps refugees in Palestine, Lebanon, and Jordan
The United States – $130,550
Equal Justice Initiative – $15,000
Provides legal support to individuals who are wrongly convicted and unfairly sentenced
The Innocence Project – $15,000
Works to free the innocent and prevent wrongful convictions
Human Rights Campaign – $10,000
Fights for LGBTQ+ rights
Legal Outreach – $10,000
Prepares youth from under-resourced NYC communities for higher education, professional careers, and community leadership
New City Kids – $10,000
Offers after-school programs for low-income youth
OXFAM – $10,000
Fights inequality to end poverty and injustice
PBS Foundation – $10,000
Uses media programming to educate, inspire, and entertain
Thurgood Marshall College Fund – $10,000
Supports students at HBCUs and PBIs
Covenant House – $5,000
Provides services for youth who are homeless or survivors of trafficking
Exodus Transitional Community – $5,000
Provides support for those formerly incarcerated
HIAS – $5,000
Provides vital services to refugees and asylum seekers around the world
The Bowery Mission – $5,000
Serves homeless and hungry New Yorkers
Undue Medical Debt – $5,000
Buys medical debt from collections agencies and forgives it
Salvation Army – $3,000
Meets human needs without discrimination
Mass Eye and Ear Foundation – $2,000
Provides advanced training on retinal care and eye surgeries for doctors from developing countries
Alzheimer’s Association – $1,000
Provides Alzheimer’s care, support, and research
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention – $1,000
Aims to save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide
ASPCA – $1,000
Fights to prevent cruelty to animals
Barre Center for Buddhist Studies – $1,000
Offers the integration, study, and practice of Buddhism
Insight Meditation Community of Washington, DC – $1,000
Offers meditation programs and sangha gatherings
Michigan State University – $1,000
Supports development at MSU
NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)– $1,000
Dedicated to improving lives of those affected by mental illness
Provincetown Art Association and Museum – $1,000
Supports local art and artists
Sierra Club -$1,000
Fights for environmental and social justice
Taylor University – $1,000
Supports development at Taylor
Wikimedia Foundation – $300
Hosts Wikipedia, the free online encyclopedia, created, edited, and verified by volunteers around the world
Local – $146,650
Community Foundation of Eastern CT (Scholarship) – $20,300
Provides a 4-year scholarship for a student from Windham, CT
Covenant Soup Kitchen – $20,000
Provides food and access to basic services in the Windham community
Eastern CT State University Scholarships – $15,000
Scholarships for first-generation college students in need
Manchester Community College Foundation – $15,000
Provides financial support to students and resources to bolster college programs
Connecticut Public Broadcasting Network – $10,000
Uses media programming to inform, educate, and inspire
Joshua’s Tract Conservation and Trust – $10,000
Protects more than 5,000 acres of land in Northeastern Connecticut
UConn Foundation – $8,250
The Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts
Vision to Learn (East Hartford) – $6,000
Provides vision screenings, eye exams, and glasses at no cost to kids in low-income communities
Center for Medicare Advocacy – $5,000
Advances access to comprehensive Medicare coverage
Community Foundation of Eastern CT (Windham Area Women and Girls Fund) – $5,000
Serves women and girls by funding programs for economic security, education, well-being, and safety
Holy Family Home & Shelter – $5,000
Compassionately supports families and individuals experiencing homelessness
Mansfield Downtown Partnership – $5,000
Provides economic development services and oversees the redevelopment of Downtown Storrs
Windham No Freeze Hospitality Center – $5,000
Assists people experiencing or at risk of homelessness
Project Imo – $5,000
Develops and funds programs that emphasize youth leadership and career development through hands-on education
Windham Area Interfaith Ministry – $5,000
Provides basic needs and support to area residents with insufficient income
Mansfield Holiday Fund – $1,500
Provides assistance to community families for the holidays
Access Community Action Agency – $1,000
Serves low-income individuals and families
Benton Art Museum – $1,000
Works toward the collection, preservation, and research of art
New England Public Media– $1,000
Provides programming that nurtures community, civility, and curiosity
Our Companions Animal Rescue – $1,000
Advocates for animals in need
Storrs Congregational Church Food Pantry – $1,000
Serves area individuals facing hunger
Town of Mansfield – Farm to Families Fund – $300
Connects asset-limited families to fresh, locally sourced food
Total (World, USA, Local) $450,000
Now I’d like to hear from you. What inspires you to give? I’m always eager to hear how you give back to your community, whether that’s with time, money, or resources. So please, leave a comment below to share the important work you do.
Heart-felt inspiration usually moves us to share our abundance with others. However, giving is an everyday action that may or may not link to financial gifts. As clinicians, our very work is an act of service–a gift to our clients. I like to think of my work that way–to be very focused and attentive while with my client to meet their needs in the best way possible.
All for One and One for All! Thank you for the vital services and supports for the journey.
Thank you all so much for your support, education and and just helping me to feel that I am part of a community , even if we have never met in person. I could not do the work that I am doing with out you and I can tell you without hesitation that with your help, many of my clients are feeling better about who they are, how their life is going and passing that along to others. Trauma survivors are some of the most generous, compassionate and persistent people I have ever met. I know they feel better about themselves and their lives- Thank you all again so very much. Candace Stewart
I just donated vehicles to NPR and the Veterans. Feels so good to give. Thank you for giving so much NICABM. It’s quite impressive.
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