Ariana Rockefeller: Guide to Charitable Giving

Charitable giving has always been an important part of my life. My family’s legacy of philanthropy is one I am very proud to be a part of, and one that has defined me in many ways. My family always emphasized the impact of small donations, as well as larger ones, and as the holiday season approaches this is especially important to remember. Whether volunteering time or donating clothes and food, being a philanthropic person means truly caring about the well-being of our communities. I believe it is important to do what we can as individuals to help others in need.

My husband Matt and I choose several charities that are important to us to donate to during the holiday season. We pick organizations that mean something to us personally and impact what we care about most. As my great grandfather, John D. Rockefeller, Jr. said: “Think of giving back as not only a duty, but as a privilege.” Enjoy giving this holiday season! It makes me very happy to consider all the ways my philanthropic giving can make a difference in others lives, as well as enriching mine. Here are the following charitable organizations we look forward to supporting this holiday season.

• ASPCA (www.aspca.org): This is an incredible organization that fights for the rights and humane treatment of animals. I am a big animal lover and have been riding horses my entire life. The work ASPCA does with horses and other animals is something I care about deeply.
• God’s Love We Deliver (www.glwd.org): This charity does amazing work in providing nutrition to individuals living with serious illnesses. Sponsoring Thanksgiving meals, for example, is a wonderful way to contribute.
• Shriners Hospital for Children (www.shrinershospitals forchildren.org): There are many ways to support this organization, whether through becoming a volunteer or making a donation of any size. I have worked with children at the hospital in Los Angeles, and Matt and the men in his family have been Shiners for generations.
• Toys for Tots (www.toysfortots.org): This is a Marine Corps charity, and it is a wonderful organization to get involved with for the holidays. It is fun to go pick out stocking stuffers for the kids, and it is so meaningful to help make a child’s holiday wonderful!