From Eliza French. Follow her on Twitter @elizaenbref; email her at eliza[AT]borderstan.com.

‘Tis the season of giving, and many of us choose this time to donate our time or money. If you live in Borderstan, you don’t have to go far to find non-profits that serve those in need all-year round. The holidays are a good time to give to the causes that are closest to your heart. We have compiled a list of non-profits in the neighborhood to make it easy for you to embrace the spirit of giving.

You can go to last year’s list for a full description of the non-profits that we highlighted in 2011.

We know we didn’t mention every organization worthy of your donations. If you know of a local non-profit doing great work, let us know about it in the comments section.

New to Our List this Year

Education

• 826 DC  (3233 14th Street NW Washington, DC 20010) – 826 DC is the local outpost of 826 National, a non-profit co-founded by author Dave Eggers that helps students build writing skills through after-school tutoring, classroom partnerships and workshops. You can make a donation online here. The non-profit also houses a whimsical storefront, “The Museum of Unnatural History.” Advance tickets ($60) are currently on sale for “Baby It’s Cold Outside,” 826DC’s benefit event on December 12 at 8 pm.
• Urban Alliance (2030 Q Street NW, Washington DC, 20009) – Urban Alliance operates in Washington, DC, Baltimore and Chicago. Through partnerships with businesses and corporations the Alliance matches selected high school seniors with paid internships, mentors and job training. After their senior year, participating students intern full-time and attend professional development classes. The Alliance aims to prepare its students for a successful career and a lifetime of self-sufficiency.

Homelessness

• Thrive DC (1525 Newton Street NW Suite G1 Washington, DC 20010) – Thrive DC works to end homelessness by providing services and programs that help the homeless and at-risk to achieve more stable lives. This includes basic items like personal care items and meals, and more complex support like job training and computer access.

Health

• Mary’s Center (2330 Ontario Road NW, Washington, DC, 20009) – Mary’s Center is a Federally Qualified Health Center that provides health care, education and social services to help mothers and their families get healthy and overcome financial and cultural disadvantages. Fees for medical services are based on a sliding fee scale, but all educational and social serves are free. The center accepts monetary and in-kind donations, like children’s clothes and toys. You can also volunteer to distribute guest as the organization’s Participant Holiday Party on December 27.
• Smith Center for Healing and the Arts (1632 U Street NW, Washington, DC 20009) – The Smith Center for Healing and the Arts, which also operates the Joan Hisaoka Healing Arts Gallery, provides resources for cancer patients. The Smith Center takes an integrative approach to healing, offering programs, classes and workshops on how art, nutrition, exercise and other elements contribute toward a patient’s wellbeing.

Organizations on Our 2011 List

Hunger and Homelessness

• Bread for the City (Northewest Center, 1525 7th Street NW, Washington, DC 20001)
• Central Union Mission (1350 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20009)
• Charlie’s Place (1830 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009)
• Martha’s Table (2114 14th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009)
• N Street Village (1333 N Street NW, Washington, DC 20005)

Education

• Garrison Elementary School (1200 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20009)
• John  W. Ross Elementary School (1730 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20009)
• School for Friends (2201 P Street NW, Washington, DC 20037)

HIV/AIDS

• Whitman Walker Health (1701 14th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009)

LGBT

• The DC Center for the LGBT Community (1318 U Street NW, Washington, DC 20009)
• Trevor Project, DC Ambassadors Committee

The Arts

• Mid City Artists
• The Phillips Collection (1600 21st Street, NW, Washington, DC 20009)

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