My sweet friend Maria Berglund founded In Kind Boxes to provide high-quality “clean” products to a postpartum mom in need through a “buy one, give one” model: When you purchase a box, another is donated to a new mama in need. What I really love about In Kind Boxes is that half the items inside (like a swaddle, gentle body wash, and healthcare kit) are for Baby, and the other half are for Mama (cozy tea, organic lip balm, and vegan nipple butter). In Episode 175 of my podcast (linked here through Apple Podcasts, but you can also find it on any other podcast app or at nonprofitjenni.com/podcast!), Maria explains that she decided to fill half the box with gifts for the new mom — not just the newbown — because it’s equally important for new mothers in need to feel loved and supported. I love In Kind Boxes so much that they are now my go-to gift for my loved ones when they have babies!

I interviewed Cara Finger, the founder of My Bag My Story, in Episode 171 of my podcast (linked here through Apple Podcasts, but you can also find it on any other podcast app or at nonprofitjenni.com/podcast!) It’s common knowledge that the foster care system creates major trauma for children removed from their homes, which only amplifies the trauma related to the circumstances that caused them to be placed in foster care. But Cara unveiled yet another issue these kids experience: As they’re removed from their homes, they suffer not just fear and confusion, but also the indignity of being handed a garbage bag and being told to pack up their things as they prepare to leave. My Bag My Story is a “buy one, give one” store: When you purchase a high-quality, fashionable bag, another one is given to a foster child so they won’t have to carry their belongings in a trash bag.

I chatted with some of the inspiring team members of Made by DWC in Episode 172 of my podcast (linked here through Apple Podcasts, but you can also find it on any other podcast app or at nonprofitjenni.com/podcast!) This Los Angeles-based business, owned by the Downtown Women’s Center, empowers women who have previously or are currently experiencing homelessness by offering these women jobs that not only help them earn an income, but also train them to learn valuable job skills and build up their resumes. Made by DWC sells home goods, luxury bath products, journals, and other fun gifts. Plus, they also run a Resale Boutique where you can purchase gently used vintage and designer clothing, shoes, and accessories!

I get to interview so many cool people on my podcast, but I especially had a ball featuring Free Wheelchair Mission in Episode 173 (linked here through Apple Podcasts, but you can also find it on any other podcast app or at nonprofitjenni.com/podcast!) So far, Free Wheelchair Mission has provided free 1.3 million wheelchairs to people in need in 94 different developing countries…and in their store, you can buy a gift that fully funds the another wheelchair gift! Each physical or digital greeting card, personalized tribute card, and handmade Dignity Bracelet sells for $96 — the exact amount needed to build and deliver a free wheelchair to someone in need. You can also find founder Dr. Don Schoendorfer’s book “Miracle Wheels” about how he learned about the mobility needs of people with disabilities in developing countries and his journey to build this incredible organization.

My friend Jami Ryba is a sales associate for One Hope Winery, which just so happens to be one of the only woman-owned wineries in the world! When you shop using Jami’s One Hope Winery page, you can choose your favorite nonprofit to receive 10% of your purchase total, at no additional cost to you! Plus, I love the wide product selection One Hope Winery offers. Not only do they have a ton of fabulous wines to choose from; they also offer gorgeous “Shimmer Sparkling Wines”, which each come in a glitter-covered bottle etched with special-occasion messages like “Thankful For You!” and “Happily Ever After”. Also, if you don’t want your gift of wine to be lonely, you can add it to a themed gift set, such a Birthday Gift Set or Deluxe Celebration Gift Set.

I can almost guarantee you’ve never had a hot sauce as kooky or delicious as a FTW Hot Sauce! My friend and fellow Fort Collins resident, Nick Armstrong, developed five completely unique flavor mixes including Bluciferberry Habanero Hot Sauce, Sweet Success Raspberry Adobo Hot Sauce, Ghosted Tomatillo Lime Ghost Pepper Hot Sauce, Firefly Me To The Moon Chipotle Maple Whiskey Hot Sauce, and The (Carrot)Cake Is A Lie Habanero Carrot Ginger Hot Sauce — all perfect for the adventurous foodie in your life! If you’re like me and get decision paralysis, you can get FTW’s 5 Flavor Sample Party Pack so your gift recipient can try all five. No matter what you choose, you can feel good about your decision knowing Nick donates part of his sales to local nonprofits serving great causes.

Mwebaza Foundation has a very cool model for empowering Ugandans communities. The foundation helps Ugandans build social enterprises that support not only the business owners, but also local schools, reducing or eliminating students’ fees. In Episode 227 of my podcast (linked here through Apple Podcasts, but you can also find it on any other podcast app or at nonprofitjenni.com/podcast!), Mwebaza Foundations’s Executive Director, Devaki Douillard, told me about two ways you can use holiday shopping dollars to support this community-driven work: You can either purchase a gift like a stuffed animal, dog bandana, or Mwebaza swag to give to a loved one, or you can purchase a tribute gift like an egg laying chicken, goat, or bee box that helps a Ugandan social enterprise owner build their business. (If you purchase a tribute gift, you’ll get a certificate to stuff into your loved one’s stocking!)

You know what tastes better than a cookie? A cookie that funds research for more effective, less toxic treatments for pediatric cancer — the #1 killer of children in the USA. Gretchen Witt, co-founder and Executive Director of Cookies for Kids Cancer, joined me in Episode 225 of my podcast (linked here through Apple Podcasts, but you can also find it on any other podcast app or at nonprofitjenni.com/podcast!) to share the emotional story behind the organization’s work, plus all the different ways you can support their mission. If you love gifting delicious treats during the holiday season (or you’re like me and want to take the easy way out when you attend this year’s Cookie Swap Party), you can purchase scrumptious cookies from this incredible nonprofit. You even have the option of signing a loved one up for the Cookie of the Month Club to keep that holiday feeling going!