Vegan Organizations (Animal, Environmental, and Health)
There are so many incredible vegan organizations out there doing great work for animals, the planet, and our health. From local rescue groups to global nonprofits, each one has its own mission and way of helping. Some focus on saving animals and promoting cruelty-free living. Others spread awareness about the environmental or health benefits of a vegan lifestyle. No matter your passion, there’s a group that fits your values and interests.
Keep reading to find a mix of important animal protection groups, environmental nonprofits, and health-focused organizations. We’ll share what each one does, how they make a difference, and simple ways you can get involved. Whether you want to donate, volunteer, or just learn more, there’s something here for everyone. It’s a great way to connect with others who care about creating a kinder, healthier world.
Vegan living and doing good in the world go hand in hand, and we hope this resource inspires you to get involved by donating time, skills, or money to these deserving causes.
Animal Advocacy and Activism
Many nonprofits work hard to protect animal rights and inspire vegan living through action and education. They plan protests, run campaigns, and host events to spread awareness and encourage kinder choices.
Environmental Organizations
Animal agriculture makes climate change, deforestation, and water scarcity worse. Many nonprofits tackle these problems and promote vegan food to help reduce the environmental impact of what we eat.
Health Organizations
The Standard American Diet drives many common and serious health problems in the U.S. Nonprofits educate people about the benefits of a vegan diet and provide tips and resources for switching to plant-based eating.
Food Justice Organizations
These nonprofits fight for food justice by tackling food insecurity, food waste, farm worker exploitation, and promoting sustainable agriculture. They believe everyone deserves access to healthy, nutritious food and work to make the food system fairer for all.
Intersectionality
Vegan living often ties into animal welfare, but it also connects to broader social justice issues. Many organizations promote veganism as a way to address racial and economic inequality, food insecurity, and other social justice concerns.
Animal Sanctuaries and Rescues
Animal sanctuaries rescue and care for animals that have suffered abuse or neglect. They provide safe homes, rehabilitation, and also educate the public about animal welfare while showing the benefits of a vegan lifestyle.
Vegan Nonprofit Organizations
Given the wide array of initiatives spread across the globe, simply choosing the right group can be overwhelming. These are just a few of our favorites making a difference today.
ALDF (Animal Legal Defense Fund)
Large corporations often find ways to bend laws to their whims, finding loopholes to hurt those who oppose them and get away with patently unethical practices. The Animal Legal Defense Fund is dedicated to fighting those rulings, using the legal system as it was intended, to protect animals and people in need.
Animal Equality
In order to end animal abuse, Animal Equality has spent years conducting undercover investigations, running campaigns, promoting legal advocacy, and implementing large-scale education programs in the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Spain, Mexico, Brazil, and India. Farmed animals are at the forefront of these efforts given the incredible [negative] impact they have on all facets of life around the world.
Animal Outlook
Formerly known as Compassion Over Killing, this non-profit animal advocacy organization works to expose animal cruelty through undercover investigations and promote a plant-based diet. These two initiatives work together as a means of reducing animal suffering and improving public health.
Beagle Freedom Project
The Beagle Freedom Project, founded by Shannon Keith, is a nonprofit dedicated to liberating and advocating for animals used in laboratory testing, with a particular focus on beagles. Their mission is rooted in the belief that every animal deserves the chance to experience freedom, love, and a life free from suffering.
By rescuing and rehabilitating these animals and tirelessly advocating for change within the scientific community, the Beagle Freedom Project stands as a beacon of hope and a powerful force for animal welfare, inspiring a more compassionate world for all sentient beings.
Factory Farming Awareness Coalition
The Factory Farming Awareness Coalition (FFAC) seeks to educate the public about the environmental, health, and ethical impacts of factory farming through in-person presentations, online resources, and community engagement. Choosing vegan is the ultimate solution towards making more informed choices about the food and advocating for policy change that supports more ethical and sustainable food production practices.
Farm Sanctuary
Where do farm animals go when they’re no longer profitable? Usually, they meet a gruesome end, but for the lucky few that are rescued from this horrific system, they can live out the peaceful lives they always deserved on a farmed animal sanctuary. Farm Sanctuary is a non-profit animal protection organization that works to rescue, rehabilitate, and provide lifelong care for farm animals in need, while also educating the public about the plight of these animals and advocating for better animal welfare policies.
FARM
Although based in New York, FARM conducts far-reaching programs, including MeatOut, Vegan Earth Day, World Day for Farmed Animals, and Compassionate Holidays that have worldwide impacts. As outspoken advocates for farmed animals, these activist won’t rest until animals are no longer exploited or used for food.
Food Empowerment Project
Every movement starts with a single step, which is why the Food Empowerment Project helps individuals make more informed choices to create overarching changes to the environment, animal welfare, and personal well-being. F.E.P. advocates for a vegan and plant-based diet, but it also focuses on the ethical and social issues surrounding food production and distribution, including workers’ rights, environmental sustainability, and access to healthy food in low-income communities.
Food Not Bombs
Born in the height of the counterculture movement, this grassroots organization operates through a decentralized network of autonomous local chapters, run entirely by volunteers, who collect perfectly good food that would otherwise be thrown away. The rescued foods are turned into nutritious, plant-based meals that are served to the public in public spaces, supporting the local community and preventing food waste.
The Good Food Institute
The Good Food Institute (GFI) is a nonprofit organization founded in 2016 by Bruce Friedrich and a team of experts in food and technology. GFI focuses on supporting the development and advancement of plant-based and cell-based meat, eggs, and dairy products, which are more environmentally friendly and ethical than traditional animal-based foods.
GFI works with startups, investors, and major food companies to accelerate the growth of the plant-based and cell-based food industries, with the goal of making these products more accessible and affordable for everyone.
In addition to their work on food innovation, GFI also conducts research, education, and advocacy to promote the benefits of plant-based and cell-based foods. Through their work, GFI is helping to create a more sustainable and compassionate food system for the future.
The Humane League
The wide-reaching mission of The Humane League is right in its name, seeking to end animal abuse in favor of a more ethical way of life. No facet is left unaddressed, working for systemic change in the policies for some of the world’s largest companies and influencing overarching legislation. Farm animals raised for food production are the primary focus of these efforts.
Mercy for Animals
Ending factory farms is the ultimate goal of Mercy For Animals, and they won’t rest until every feedlot is shut down. Striving to create a world without animal agriculture through policy change and personal empowerment, they’re working on improving the lives of creatures big and small, which ultimately helps humans thrive, too.
North American Vegetarian Society
One of the oldest American plant-based nonprofits still in operation, NAVS was founded in 1975 to support existing vegetarians and promote the lifestyle to the general public. They established World Vegetarian Day as a recognized celebration every October 1st, kicking off World Vegetarian Month overall. Having withstood the test of time, they’ve proven that a meatless diet is beneficial for health, animal welfare, and the planet itself.
One Step for Animals
One Step for Animals, founded by Matt Ball and driven by a team with over 150 years of combined animal advocacy experience, is dedicated to a singular mission: reducing animal suffering. Focusing on the often-overlooked suffering of birds, particularly broiler chickens, the organization addresses five critical facts highlighting the urgency of their cause.
By discouraging advocacy that might inadvertently lead individuals to replace red meat with chickens and promoting the simple message of “Stop eating chickens,” One Step for Animals offers a practical and psychologically sound approach to reducing animal suffering and creating lasting change.
PCRM
The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting plant-based diets, preventing disease, and advocating for ethical scientific research. Founded in 1985, the organization consists of more than 12,000 physicians and other healthcare professionals who are committed to promoting preventative medicine and improving public health.
PETA
One of the most recognizable names in animal rights globally, PETA stands for “People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.” Best known for their undercover investigations that bring to light shocking abuses in animal industries, as well as arresting public protests meant to grab headlines, it’s impossible to ignore the impact that PETA has had on vegan culture at large. There’s even a branch for children, known as PETA Kids, to start those aged 12 and under on a kinder path.
Rochester Lifestyle Medicine Institute
The Rochester Lifestyle Medicine Institute started in 2016 with Dr. Ted Barnett. It’s a nonprofit that promotes Lifestyle Medicine, especially whole-food, plant-based nutrition. They offer programs for the public, like the “15 Day WFPB Jumpstart,” the “Lift Project,” and fun cooking classes. They also teach medical professionals through events like Lifestyle Medicine Grand Rounds, where experts discuss real case studies. All of this helps improve health, transform healthcare, and build a more compassionate community.
The Pollination Project
This nonprofit helps small businesses with big ideas. They provide seed funding, mentoring, coaching, and networking for social change projects worldwide. Their mission is to create a just, fair, and sustainable world. Because a vegan lifestyle is one of the most powerful ways to make change, the organization is plant-based at its core.
Sea Shepherd
Sea Shepherd fights the terrible injustices that happen at sea. This marine conservation group protects sea animals and their habitats. They take direct action to expose and stop illegal fishing and poaching. They also work with governments and other groups to enforce conservation laws and create new protections.
Vegan Outreach
Vegan Outreach is one of the top vegan nonprofits in the U.S. It started with two people handing out fliers to protest fur fashion shows, circuses, rodeos, and other cruel events. Today, they educate communities, help chefs add plant-based dishes, and work with stores to stock more vegan options. Their goal is to stop animal cruelty and inspire compassionate choices.
The Vegan Society
The Vegan Society started in the U.K. in 1944 and has made huge strides in the vegan movement. They created the Vegan Trademark to certify products that have no animal ingredients or testing. This program helps people easily find vegan-friendly products.
Veganuary
Veganuary encourages people worldwide to try a vegan lifestyle in January—and beyond. It began in the U.K. in 2014 and has grown into a global movement, inspiring millions to eat plant-based. They offer support, recipes, meal plans, and shopping guides to make going vegan easy and fun.
A Well Fed World
Hunger affects millions around the world, even though we produce enough food for everyone. A Well Fed World raises awareness about our inefficient animal agriculture system. They promote plant-based foods to use resources more wisely and help fight climate change.
Farm Animal Sanctuaries
Farm animal sanctuaries give rescued farm animals a safe and loving home. Many of these animals have suffered abuse, neglect, or harsh treatment in the agricultural industry. Sanctuaries let them live free from harm and exploitation. They also teach visitors about animal welfare and why it matters.
Visitors can meet the animals, hear their stories, and see the impact of animal agriculture up close. Sanctuaries promote vegan living, support animal rights, and create a space for healing and compassion.
Vegan-Friendly Nonprofits
Although not exclusively vegan, many charitable groups share similar values and incorporate vegan-friendly choices into their daily operations. These organizations include:
- Chilis on Wheels – Providing vegan meals and resources to communities in need.
- The Fruit Tree Planting Foundation – Planting fruit trees to create more local food sources.
- The Jane Goodall Institute – Protecting chimpanzees and their habitats.
- Food for Life Global – Alleviating world hunger through plant-based meals and education.
- The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust – Rescuing and rehabilitating orphaned baby elephants and rhinos.
- Earth Save – Addresses environmental issues through plant-based lifestyle choices.
Also, have you heard of the aBillion vegan app? They have donated over $2.5 million dollars to over 60 different vegan nonprofits including Farm Animal Sanctuaries, conservation organizations, and humanitarian efforts. If this sounds interesting to you, make sure to download this awesome app to your phone or tablet!
Did we miss your favorite nonprofit? Please share them in the comments below.
Ways to Get Involved in Your Community
Are you looking for a way to make a difference in your community and have fun while doing it? Look no further than your local (or national) nonprofit organizations! Here are some ways you can get involved and make a difference:
Get Your Volunteer Groove On
Nonprofits are always looking for help to make their events, campaigns, and rescue work successful. Whether you’re great at fundraising, love to plan parties, or are a social media whiz, there’s a volunteer role that’s perfect for you! So roll up your sleeves and put your skills to use.
Give Generously
Donating to a nonprofit is like giving a high-five to the universe. It’s a surefire way to spread good vibes and support the causes you care about. Whether you can afford to give a little or a lot, every bit helps and makes a big impact.
Use Your Talents
Nonprofits need all sorts of talents, not just those related to fundraising or event planning. If you’re an artist, musician, photographer, registered dietitian, lawyer, doctor, programmer, writer, or have any other unique talents, consider offering your expertise to your favorite nonprofits.
Party with a Purpose
Nonprofits throw some of the most incredible parties around! From fundraising galas, vegan banquets, and VegFests, to animal sanctuary hoedowns, nonprofit events are a great way to have fun and support a good cause.
Host a Fundraiser
If you’re passionate about a particular cause, consider hosting a fundraiser. Whether it’s a bake sale or a charity auction, there are many creative ways to raise money and awareness.
Go Undercover
Volunteering as an undercover investigator for an animal welfare nonprofit can be an extremely challenging but rewarding experience. As an undercover investigator, you work to uncover animal cruelty and illegal practices in factory farms and slaughterhouses. You usually need experience in investigations, law enforcement, or a similar field. You also need to be ready to work undercover for long stretches, often in risky or stressful situations.
Spread the Love
Nonprofits are always looking for passionate people to help spread the word about their work. Whether you’re sharing posts on social media or telling your friends about an upcoming event, every little bit helps. So spread the love and get others excited about making a positive impact.
Be a Changemaker
Nonprofits are on the front lines of creating change. Whether advocating for policy changes, fighting for social justice, or promoting sustainable living, nonprofits need passionate people like you to join their cause.
Vegan organizations (primarily nonprofits) are filled with wonderful people doing extraordinary things. So join the fun, get involved, find your people, and help create a brighter future for our world.
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