Mine is the American Cancer Society. So, what’s yours? Besides yourself. 
Habitat for Humanity- I’ve worked on tons of projects with these people, and it’s a great program worthy of everything you could possibly put into it.
Faith Ministries- I just got back from Mexico, where I was on a mission trip helping out this foundation. They are similar to HFH.
Sharing God’s Love is another good one, as well.
The American Cancer Society - because of all the friends and family we’ve lost or almost lost to this disease.
And American Diabetes Association - because it killed two of my grandparents.
What are my favorite organizations to support because I like what they do and what they stand for?
a. League of Women Voters: this hit the top of the list when I learned that one out of ten Nov 2000 votes cast in the city where I live [Jacksonville FL] were tossed out. That is not the way to run a democracy.
b. Planned Parenthood: because women worldwide have the human right to decide their reproductive future.
c. Ashoka: because this is organization is what economic development is all about. The nonprofit organization gives grants to “social entrepreneurs” who would otherwise not have access to financial resources to invest in people. The organization takes that old adage “…teach a man to fish and he eats forever…” to new heights: revolutionize the fishing industry. Actually grants are given to social entrepreneurs in the areas of learning/education, environment, health, human rights, economic development, and civic participation. Grants have been given to folks worldwide to such projects as establishing home health care systems in South Africa to reducing gang membership to reduce street violence. Check out their website for further information: http://www.ashoka.org this is an organization which you can support whether you are a libertarian, social democrate or, gulp, a Republican.
d. Goodwill: I give them the clothes that my kids have outgrown because I hate to just toss 'em out. I also get a tax deduction for doing it.
The Salvation Army, because Sally Ann helps anyone who needs it. If you go to the Salvation Army and say, “I need help,” they’ll help you, no matter what you lool like or where you live.
Just to give a rebuttal to my own post, my brother (Pablo Eskimo) has said (paraphrasing follows), “I won’t support the Salvation Army. They make you pray to the Christian God before they’ll help you.” Me: “One, that’s not true. And two, if you’ve reached the point in your life when you’re living on a riverbank and drinking Lysol, maybe finding God isn’t the worst thing that could happen to you.”
I have to agree with the OP: American Cancer Society. Our high school does at least two events with them every year – Making Strides Against Breast Cancer and Relay for Life.
I also support the Goodwill, Salvation Army and the local Christian Home & Bible Thrift Store, by spending money there.
I’m not sure if they are charities per say but here’s mine…
American Bone Marrow Donor Registry- something minor in the scope of a lifetime to save the life of another.
Lupus Foundation of America- lost a friend about 2 years ago ,who was also my boss, pretty suddenly from this disease. he was diagnosed very late because he was a caucasian male…argh.
Parkinson’s Disease Foundation- my stepdad was diagnosed with this last year. It’s scary watching him change from this disease, going from an energetic 50+ year old, to a scared, shaky, tired old man.
Also, climbing my list is The Autism Society of America.
Planned Parenthood, American Cancer Society, National Public Radio.
The Committee Against Domestic … Violence? Cripe, it can’t be “violence,” because their acronym is CADA. Assault, maybe? Abuse? Anyway, they’re based in Mankato, MN, and provide a range of treatment for victims of domestic violence, from crisis intervention to safe housing to job training.
Two New York charities that I support are Bide-a-wee, which is an animal shelter (although I don’t know what’s up with the dippy name), and Dress for Success. That’s a clothing donation service that specializes in distributing gently used women’s business clothes. The founder realized that many women who are coming off welfare and other aid programs have a hard time even dressing for a job interview. Finding this charity was a godsend for me because my mother has a serious shoe fetish, and buys elegant shoes that are on sale, regardless of what size they are. Every few months I crate up the never-worn, designer shoe collection and ship it off to this organization.
Ronald McDonald House.
I used to think those collection bins on the counters were just another way for McDonalds to earn money…“Aww, let’s help the sick kids, we’ll give them money…”, and then McD’s deposits the pocket change into their billion dollar accounts.
About 2 months ago, my store manager signed me up to be our store’s “RMHC Amabassador”. I had to go to this meeting and learn about the program, and I did a walkathon in Providence to support the cause. It really is a good program. They give families a a place to stay when they can’t afford hotel rooms and can’t be away from their sick children, they do free medical and dental care for those who can’t afford it, and they do God knows what else. So I bugged my boss for a key to the collection containers, and now we donate about $30 a week just in people’s pocket change. I’ve also trained my employees to put all their spare change in…I have one kid who beams when he drops in his 12 cents change everyday. He knows he’s doing a good thing, and he knows I appreciate it. I always throw in at least $10 of my own money when I send it off. At least I know that if I’m ever in that situation, there will be a place available if I need it.
According to their web site, the name Bide-A-Wee comes from a Scottish phrase meaning “stay a while.”
While certainly not in league with some of the others posted here, Mickaboo Cockatiel Rescue gets my support. I currently have two birds I’ve adopted from them, and will likely be getting a third soon. This is in addition to some (unfortunately minor) cash donations.
Doctors Without Borders (medicins sans frontiers).
Habitat for Humanity
Project Open Hand. An organization that prepares and delivers meals to AIDS patients.
Make A Wish Foundation of America, and Make A Wish Foundation International.
I have been giving to Make A Wish For years. Ever since I witnessed the look on a young cancer aptients face while she was on a “dolphin” wish. Her only wish was to see and touch dolphins, she has a look of utter knowing, and contentment. I will never forget that face.
The local chapter of Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Family Alliance and of course the American Cancer Society. Athough I never thought of it as a charity, we’re registered with the American Bone Marrow Donor Registry as well.
I donate time (and dare I say talent?) on behalf of an organization called Interfaith Humanitarian Aid Network. Among other things, it’s a shelter for battered, abused and or homeless women and children.
We’ve also donated time and money to the Red Cross for disaster relief.
While not officially “charities” we’ve also donated time or goods too, the local elementary and middle schools, the local swim team, the boy scouts, the girl scouts and the nearby retirement community.
Abby
Make a Wish Foundation.
I had a nephew die of cancer two years ago and Make a Wish took him and his family (Parents and older brother) to Disney World. They supplied everything imaginable…Craig got to go in the cockpit on the flight out,they got to meet all the Disney characters,ride all the rides…Make a Wish even made a photo album of the trip and sent to the family afterwards.
Plus they are very supportive of the sick child’s medical needs. They arranged for a doctor in California to monitor Craig and made sure they had a wheelchair for him when he tired out.
If I ever win the lottery, they’re getting a huge donation.
The Red Cross: I’ve seen them in action after natural disasters. Great folks, worthy of any support going.
Habitat for Humanity
The American Indian College Fund
The United Negro College Fund
An informal local grassroots inner-city coalition–churches, neighbors and others–which is cash-strapped but working miracles with young people.
Tripled my weekly donations to Rotary (beyond the customary jokey fines) toward our adopted project, building a clean well water system in an African village.
The local no-kill animal shelter.
Veb
Goodwill Industries. Yeah, that’s Goodwill.
They don’t just take in used clothes, furniture and re-sell them. Goodwill provides job training, searching and placement services for those who have been out of the job market for any number of reasons. There are fantastic people working for Goodwill, and fantastic people being helped by them.
Catholic Charities and Planned Parenthood. These two may seem to be at odds, but I am a strong supporter of the right to choose, which is where Planned Parenthood comes into play.
Catholic Charities in my area provides shelter, counseling, etc to the homeless, to victims of violence and to people who are struggling with various things in their lives.