Everyone knows people who are ardent in support of local organizations and causes. For those folks, ideal gifts can be donations in their names to those organizations or memberships/subscriptions to places they frequently visit. Here are some suggestions.
Local Aid Organizations
Homelessness, Communities
Insight Housing: Formerly known as Berkeley Food & Housing Project, this Charity Navigator four-star-rated nonprofit offers emergency and transitional housing, permanent supportive housing, vocational assistance and partners with other organizations to build housing, such as The Hope Center.
Homeless Action Center: Another CN four-star-rated nonprofit, HAC serves both Oakland and Berkeley, offering legal assistance with benefits advocacy, outreach and the Almost Home Housing Program, providing temporary, supportive, transitional housing. homelessactioncenter.org
Urban Tilth: Richmond’s Urban Tilth’s North Richmond Farm, Greenway Garden and Orchard for All provide organically grown food to food deserts with Free Farm Stands. UT also runs watershed conservation and restoration projects, and offers multiple programs for students to learn about growing food, including “After School at the Farm.” urbantilth.org
The Environment
Sierra Club, SF Bay Chapter: Many don’t realize how important Sierra Club lawyers are in fighting cases against big polluters. For example, SC lawyers were vital to the legal decision that will prohibit coal and petcoke from being exported through the Levin-Richmond Terminal, starting in 2026. Their aid is indispensable to grassroots community organizations. sierraclub.org/sfbay
San Francisco Baykeeper: Small but mighty, SF Baykeeper recently won a big decision against the Valero Oil Refinery and Amports shipping facility, who were dumping highly toxic petcoke into the bay at Benicia. SFB will watch them for three years as they upgrade and clean up, and as they pay $2.38 million to the Rose Foundation for grants to community groups restoring the bay. baykeeper.org
The Rose Foundation for Communities & the Environment: Speaking of the Rose Foundation, this Oakland-based nonprofit quietly supports groups advocating for justice, the environment and consumer rights by working with the legal community to channel restitution funds back into impacted communities. It is trustee for more than 600 such funds. rosefdn.org
East Bay Parks Foundation: Outdoorsy friends will get a lot of use from a membership in the EBPF, which includes many park perks. Memberships also support the remarkable parks system, which has saved, and continues to save, places and lands for generations to come. regionalparksfoundation.org
Animals
East Bay SPCA: When the pandemic ended, shelters were flooded with “returned” and dumped animals. With locations in Oakland and Dublin, and an Oakland spay/neuter clinic, the EBSPCA has worked for humane treatment of animals for 150 years, providing multiple services. Their policy on shelter euthanasia, used only on very ill or unadoptable animals, is stated clearly on their site.
Arts Memberships and Support
Oakland Museum of California: OMCA is a treasure of The Town, and continues to put on outstanding exhibitions, such as “Angela Davis—Seize the Time,” as well as maintaining its permanent collection. Its Friday Nights with OMCA have become go-to events. Membership includes unlimited admission for member and guest, as well as invites to previews and special events, and more. museumca.org
Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive: There’s always something extraordinary going on at BAMPFA, such as the current exhibit, “Making Their Mark: Works from the Shah Garg Collection,” on view through April 20, 2025. Membership provides unlimited gallery admission and discounted film tickets, among other benefits. bampfa.org
Richmond Art Center: Continuing to up its game, the RAC may be the best-kept secret that needs to be revealed. In addition to great shows, membership includes discounts for the RAC’s extensive array of art and craft classes. Coming up in January 2025: the newest version of Richmond artist Attaboy’s “Upcycled Garden.” richmondartcenter.org
Freight & Salvage: Like many performing arts organizations, the beloved Freight has been getting back on its feet post-pandemic. For fans, a donation in their name, or tickets to an upcoming show, like “An Evening with Rickie Lee Jones,” Jan. 29 and 30 is, well, just the ticket. thefreight.org
Oakland Symphony: Whether it’s a donation, tickets to a performance or a subscription to the next season, classical music buffs will be delighted by this choice of gift. Upcoming in March 2025, Forgiveness + Pictures at an Exhibition. oaklandsymphony.org
Berkeley Rep: The Rep is having an outstanding season. But theaters can never have too many supporters and subscribers. The continuing 2024-25 season includes Uncle Vanya with Downton Abbey’s Hugh Bonneville. berkeleyrep.org
Oakland Theater Project: Now recognized as one of the most innovative and provocative companies in the Bay Area, a donation to OTP supports the company as it rockets on its upward path. Next season’s subscriptions will be available in January. oaklandtheaterproject.org
