If there’s one thing I’ve learned so far in my short time being a mother (4 months and counting) it’s that parenthood is just a series of good intentions followed by failures followed by improvising solutions that often turn out better than the original plan. This post is sort of like that. I failed to pull together a mother’s day gift guide round up like I wanted too but came up with last minute idea that I think is even better.

Being a mother is hard work and Mother’s Day is intended to celebrate and appreciate that. I know from first-hand experience that the holiday can be painful for some people that don’t get celebrated or appreciated or get to give that appreciation. There’s of course my infertility sisters that long to hold a baby in their arms (been there), those that have lost a child, those that have lost a mother or maybe have never known their mother, there’s also those that just miss their child or mother due to distance. And of course there’s also the single mothers and the mothers that feel depleted of energy and/or resources. And let’s not forget the women who long to be mothers some day but for whatever other reason it hasn’t worked out yet. 

I’m grateful and extremely thankful to be feeling happy about Mother’s Day this time around, but because I know what it’s like to dread this holiday a bit, it made me think of all those that might be feeling that way this year. So I feel like when I have an abundance of gratitude the only right thing to do is share it and I thought that making a donation to an organization that helps mother’s in need would be a great idea instead of a traditional gift. If you’re feeling the same (or maybe have just run out of time to get something else meaningful), I’ve complied a list of organizations that work to help mother’s for various reasons near and far. I’m sure you’re mother would love a donation in her name to help someone in need. Read on and let me know if you’re inspired to donate to any of them and why!

Infertility

• Resolve
  They provide needed support, education, and advocacy programs in local communities along with helping to influence policy changes for those affected by infertility. 
• Shine Fertility
  This organization provides mentorship, community and education for those going through infertility in the Chicagoland area.
• Bundled Blessing Fertility Foundation
  Providing grants to those faced with infertility to assist with treatment, adoption, and surrogacy costs.
• Baby Quest Foundation
  Provide grants to those who cannot afford the high costs of procedures such as IVF (in vitro fertilization), gestational surrogacy, egg and sperm donation, egg freezing, and embryo donation.
• Hope for Fertility
  They offer financial assistance towards infertility treatments or adoption.
• Cade Foundation
  They provide education on family planning as well as providing grants to help families with the costs of adoption and fertility treatment.

Safe Births

• Every Mother Counts
  Pregnancy and childbirth deaths occur every 2 minutes around the world and most of them are preventable. Donations go toward efforts for making pregnancy and childbirth safer for every mom including education and facilities women need to give birth safely.
• March of Dimes
  Donations fund critical research, programs and legislation to improve the lives of moms and babies.
• Global Midwife Education Foundation
  Their mission is to reduce maternal and infant mortality and morbidity in rural areas of the developing world. Donations help fund train midwives to provide childbirth assistance and newborn care for families and provide these birth attendants with necessary medical supplies.

Children & Babies

• Carry the Future
  Donations provide aid for refugee families in need including clean diapers, baby beds, newborn supplies, hygiene kits and more.
• Good + Foundation
  Donations help provide critical goods and services that work to lift families out of poverty, especially essential tools like cribs, car seats, strollers, diapers, etc.
• Circle of Health International
  Donations help mothers and babies around the world in crisis areas. 
• International Rescue Committee
  Their mission is to help people who’s lives have been shattered by conflict and disaster survive, recover and regain control of their future. Donate to send a pregnant refugee mother a newborn baby kit. 
• Texas Diaper Bank
  The Diaper Assistance Program focuses on providing families access to diapers, wipes, and other healthcare items in the San Antonio, TX area.
• National Diaper Bank Network
  1 in 3 American families reports experiencing diaper need. Donations help fund getting diapers to those who need them.
• Help A Mother Out
  Donations help increase access to diapers for families in need.

Single Mothers

• Single Parent Advocate
  Donations help educate, provide resources, give practical assistance, emotional encouragement and social networking for single parents.
• Win NYC
  Helps homeless women and children rebuild their lives. Donations go towards shelter and support along with providing comprehensive programs and services that enable homeless families to succeed in life and break the cycle of homelessness

Women

• National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
  Women (and often mothers) are disproportionately affected by domestic violence. Donations go toward providing support and services for survivors as well as efforts to influence public policy.
• Planned Parenthood
  Planned Parenthood delivers vital reproductive health care, sex education, and information to millions of women, men, and young people worldwide. Donations fund preventive, primary care and educational programs.
• Dress For Success
  The mission of Dress for Success is to empower women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire and the development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.
• Global Fund for Women
  Donations help support women-led groups who are demanding equal rights for women in their own communities.

Loss

• The Tears Foundation
  Helping bereaved families honor the life of their child through memorization assistance and ongoing bereavement support.
• Share Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support
  They provide resources for those affected by infant loss including bed-side companions, phone support, face-to-face support group meetings, resource packets, private online communities, memorial events, training for caregivers, and so much more. 
• Star Legacy Foundation
  Donations help families affected by still birth including providing education, supporting research, offering family support and raising awareness. 

Well that list got longer than I expected but there are so many fantastic organizations that need donations to help women and mothers in need. If you have any others to add to the list let me know!