‘Better to give than to receive,’ you said

Put your money (or time) where your mouth is

If this holiday season has you looking for how to give back to the community, to ensure your name makes Santa’s nice list, or even to ward off a few Christmas spirits, Tulsa has more than enough ways to satisfy your charitable side.   

Tulsa Public Radio
Tulsa Public Radio is comprised of two stations, KWGS 89.5, Oklahoma’s first-ever FM radio station, and KWGS 88.7, a classical radio station. To help keep public radio alive and well in Northeastern Oklahoma, Tulsa Public Radio always accepts monetary donations through their website. Or you can donate your old car. publicradiotulsa.org

Arts Alliance Tulsa
When you support Arts Alliance Tulsa (AAT), you’re supporting Tulsa’s art scene as a whole. AAT is a United Arts Fund whose members include local galleries, museums, theatre companies, and musicians, among many, many others. You can see how to donate—as well as exactly where your support will go—on the Arts Alliance Tulsa website. artstulsa.org

Iron Gate
Located in downtown Tulsa, Iron Gate is a safe, welcoming atmosphere for Tulsans seeking food assistance. To aid Iron Gate in its mission to feed and offer reprieve for Tulsa’s hungry, you can donate online or by mail or phone, or you can volunteer in the soup kitchen or pantry. irongatetulsa.org

The Center for Individuals with Physical Challenges
The mission of Tulsa’s Center for Individuals with Physical Challenges is to provide opportunities for and improve the lives of physically handicapped Tulsans. The Center offers rehabilitative fitness courses, adaptive sports and recreation, community reintegration assistance, transition services, and support groups. To help keep The Center running and provide for their staff, they take donations year-round. tulsacenter.org

Salvation Army Salvation
Army is responsible for what is perhaps the defining image of holiday giving: the red-aproned, bell-ringing Samaritan with a kettle for donations outside your local mall or grocery store. You can always donate money as you pass by, attend one of the fundraising events Salvation Army hosts around Tulsa, or volunteer to be a bell-ringer yourself for a day. salvationarmyusa.org

Youth Services of Tulsa
Youth Services of Tulsa (YST) works to guarantee that no young person’s potential goes to waste. Its programs seek to prevent delinquency, provide youth counseling, and shelter runaway and homeless youth. You can help with a monetary donation or by volunteering as a Safe Place Responder, driving youth (ages 12-17) seeking assistance to YST’s Adolescent Emergency Shelter. yst.org

Tulsa Day Center for the Homeless
Tulsa Day Center doesn’t just temporarily shelter Tulsa’s homeless—its leaders are looking to end homelessness here. In addition to providing meals and short-term living spaces, the Day Center also offers permanent residence for those suffering from chronic homelessness. A caring staff also treats addiction and improves residents’ chances of employment. Those passionate about the center’s mission can find a list of material goods to donate online. You can also volunteer your time. tulsadaycenter.org

YWCA & YMCA
There’s a bit more than a letter’s difference between these two organizations. Tulsa’s YMCA focuses on promoting youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility, while the YWCA seeks to eliminate racism and empower women in Northeastern Oklahoma. Whichever one you choose to support, your money’s going towards good work. ymcatulsa.org, ywcatulsa.org  

Tulsa Area United Way United Way
aims to promote the common good by financially supporting agencies with ties to the “three building blocks of a better quality of life”—education, health/safety, and financial stability. United Way is a national organization, but Tulsa’s ranks among the top in America in donations. tauw.org

Tulsa Public Library: Tutors of Literacy
About 11 percent of Tulsa’s adult population struggles with illiteracy. You can help by volunteering as a literacy tutor with the Tulsa City-County Library. Tutors must have a high-school diploma or GED certificate, donate at least an hour of their time each week, and pass a criminal history background test. Volunteers must commit to tutoring for at least a year. tulsalibrary.org

Domestic Violence Intervention Services
Tulsa-based DVIS helps victims of domestic violence and sexual assault escape abusive homes and family members and/or partners. DVIS provides counseling, education, and shelter to its clients. You can donate money and other items listed on their website’s wish list. The agency also has a wide range of volunteering opportunities, from jail outreach programs to child care to assisting in the office. dvis.org

Angel Tree
Youth cycling programs in Tulsa are growing, and this year you can help Tulsa’s children continue to chase this passion while also supporting local bike shops. To give more kids the chance to learn to ride and compete in local races, donate online or at any one of the participating bike shops in Tulsa: Bicycles of Tulsa, City Cycles, Phat Tire Bike Shop, Spoke House Bicycles, Tom’s Bicycles, and T-Town Bicycles. Money raised will be divided between the retailers to provide cycling equipment for Bike Club and Oklahoma Flyers. oklahomaflyers.com/tree