Giving Tuesday at Ethos

Last Tuesday, December 1, 2020, $2.47 billion was donated to organizations and causes across the United States, “an amount that is more than all but one U.S. philanthropic foundation gave in a full year during 2019.”

How does Ethos Support Giving Tuesday?

Each year for Giving Tuesday, Ethos donates to the organization of each team members’ choice in their name. It brings us joy to give back to our communities in whatever way we can, and we are proud to have been a part of the Giving Tuesday contributions. Our team believes that awareness is a key factor, which is why we are happy to share more information about the organizations we donated to!

‍Alida Miranda-Wolff: Women Employed

I believe in closing the generational wealth gap that disproportionately impacts those who identify as women. Women Employed understands the importance of furthering equity for women and takes the policy-based, educational, and workforce development actions to make it happen. I believe most of all in the vision Women Employed holds for the future, one where "more of the jobs we hold are good jobs with family-supporting wages, decent benefits, and opportunities to advance. We’re represented on the ballot and in the boardroom. We all have strong protections against discrimination and abuse, and we can fulfill our responsibilities at work and at home."

‍Strother Gaines: The Trevor Project

Growing up Queer in rural Kentucky was super challenging for me. Having come from a conservative and religious background, I often felt that my life was destined to just be one denial of self after the other—that my situation could never improve and that I would either be ostracized and myself or accepted and living a lie. At the time, there were very few messages making it to the southeastern corner of Kentucky that affirmed the lives of Queer people in the larger world. The Trevor Project's motto is "It Gets Better,” and I truly believe that's something all Queer youth has to look forward to. I also think that a more accurate (but decidedly less catchy) motto is: "It gets better...if you survive." In a national study, 40% of transgender adults reported having made a suicide attempt. 92% of those were attempted before the age of 25. Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual youth are almost five times as likely to have attempted suicide than heterosexual youth. I personally understand and relate to these Queer youth, and I was intimately acquainted with suicidal ideation as a teen. The Trevor Project needs funds to help these Queer youth make it to the other side safely.

‍Lexi Brown: The Loveland Foundation

Being vocal about mental health is incredibly important to me as someone who didn’t know how to talk about living with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and panic disorder for quite a long time. There was a point when I didn’t have the resources to cope with the struggles that come along with this reality, but I was fortunate to have attended a college that provided free therapy and other mental health resources on campus, and I’m fortunate now to be able to afford therapy and medication. However, I recognize that this is a privilege and isn’t the case for everyone, especially within communities of color. The Loveland Foundation “is committed to showing up for communities of color in unique and powerful ways, with a particular focus on Black women and girls. Their resources and initiatives are collaborative, and they prioritize opportunity, access, validation, and healing.”

‍Luis Vargas: Little Village Environmental Justice Organization (LVEJO)

LVEJO is a nonprofit that focuses on accomplishing environmental justice in the immigrant, low-income, and working-class Little Village community in Chicago. I chose LVEJO because they are working to ensure that its community members' health and safety are top of mind for city officials and developers. Most recently, LVEJO worked to gain justice for community members affected by the overwhelming amount of dust during the old Crawford Power Plant demolition in April 2020. Little Village residents were not warned of the waste nor the dust cloud, and as a result, many became ill. As a product of Little Village, I care deeply that residents of my community receive the same amount of care and consideration for their health and safety as residents of more affluent neighborhoods. I hope the work LVEJO does inspires other underserved communities to organize and create their environmental justice organizations!‍

Pond-e Sadasivam: San Francisco Pretrial Diversion Project

My work in the criminal justice system has taught me the importance of organizations like the San Francisco Pretrial Diversion Project, which dedicates itself to facilitating positive and effective alternatives to fines, criminal prosecution, and detention. Our system continues to place marginalized groups at an extreme disadvantage, and I believe that more organizations like SF Pretrial must exist to ensure maximum rehabilitation of individuals.‍

Amalia Loiseau: Wright-Way Rescue

Wright-Way Rescue focuses on reducing the number of homeless pets in the Midwest area. Since 2003, Wright-Way has placed over 50,000 dogs and cats in loving homes. Every day, Wright-Way also takes in emergency cases from all over the country to try to help dogs and cats find the care that they need. I had the privilege of adopting my dog at Wright-Way and love that every animal is given a fighting chance. Wright-Way provides many essential services to pet owners through their veterinary medicine program, spay and neutering, and so much more! Before I knew I wanted to go into business, I always considered veterinary school because of my love for animals!However, we also understand that making a difference goes beyond monetary donations. As an alternative or in conjunction with donating money, remember you can:

• Volunteer your time.
• Participate in fundraising events.
• Get community members together to organize various activities or events.
• Serve on a community board.
• Publicly advocate for the causes most important to you.

Client Highlights

We also want to take this time to highlight our clients in the nonprofit sector and encourage you to learn more about the change they are making in their communities!

• The Chicago Community Trust is a “platform for change that connects philanthropy to impact” and “unites donors, committed nonprofits, and caring residents to effect lasting change that moves” the Chicago region forward. In alignment with its mission, The Trust has established a 10-year commitment to closing Chicago’s racial and ethnic wealth gap.
• The Illinois Justice Project “advances policies and practices that reduce violence, decrease prison recidivism, and make the justice system more equitable.”
• The Illinois Science and Technology Coalition is a “member-driven nonprofit that strengthens the state’s innovation economy through data collection, policy advocacy, and impactful programs.” Their affiliated Institute “provides STEM-education programs that connect classrooms with companies to better prepare the next generation of problem-solvers.”
• MOMENTA “cultivates and presents repertory and contemporary dance works that strive to educate, innovate, and amplify the artistry of students and professionals, inclusive of artists with disabilities.”
• The Poetry Foundation, publisher of POETRY magazine, is “an independent literary organization committed to a vigorous presence for poetry in our culture. It exists to discover and celebrate the best poetry and to place it before the largest possible audience.”
• Prismatic “activates leadership potential for young people living in low-income communities by infusing social-emotional skill-building into career development education.”

Lexi Brown, Associate

Lexi Brown is an Associate in Inclusive Communications at Ethos, helping clients bring their brands to life and guiding them in how to communicate their messaging effectively as it relates to their growth in DEI.