There are a number of worthy causes in the Grand Duchy that would welcome your support, either with a one-off donation or regular contribution.

The trouble is, there are so many good causes out there that it can be hard to decide where to donate your hard-earned cash or spare items of use.

There's no simple solution to this, but a good rule of thumb is to pick two or three worthy causes and split the donations proportionally. If you're setting up regular monthly contributions, you could allocate half to your top pick then a quarter each to causes two and three.

To help you decide where best to give, we've broken down some of Luxembourg's charities into handy categories. The list isn't comprehensive, but should give a good flavour of the wide range of options out there.

Read also: Volunteering in Luxembourg

Society

Femmes en détresse is all about supporting women, their children, and young girls who face physical or psychological violence or abuse. They run a number of emergency community homes and provide psychological, legal and social support. Donate or join the association here.

Stëmm vun der Strooss helps disadvantaged people to better integrate into society. It works with both the Ministry of Health and the Luxembourg Red Cross on a wide range of social projects and services across the Grand Duchy, from a social restaurant providing free meals to therapy, medical consulting, and housing support. They welcome support from both individuals and businesses.

Caritas Luxembourg is a wide-ranging NGO, working with people affected by poverty, children at risk of dropping out of school, and refugees and migrants to the Grand Duchy, amongst other topics. They also work internationally in 165 countries via the Caritas Internationalis network. You can donate to the entire charity, or to a project or topic of your choice.

Digital Inclusion aims to make technology accessible to everyone, while taking action to protect the environment. You can donate an old smartphone or laptop to the project.

Association nationale des Victimes de la Route (AVR) stands up for the interests of road victims and their families. It's a hot topic in the Grand Duchy, where road accidents remain an issue. You can support them via a modest annual membership fee.

Health 

The Red Cross - provides support both in the Grand Duchy and worldwide as part of the International Red Cross / Red Crescent network. Locally, the charity provides societal and healthcare support in a range of municipalities - from Bascharage to Wiltz, and many places in between. Donate here.

Cancer Foundation Luxembourg  - provides support for sufferers of cancer and carries out research to combat the disease. You can make a regular or one-off contribution here.

Fondatioun Kriibskrank Kanner is a long-running charity supporting families of children with cancer or rare life-threatening disease. It relies entirely on public donations to operate, and encourages online donations via their website.

Ambulanz Wonsch - Founded by Luxembourg's Woman of the year 2022, Karen van Hout, Ambulanz Wonsch grants wishes to terminally ill people in the Grand Duchy. van Hout was also a guest on Lisa Burke's RTL Today Radio show. Ambulanz Wonsch, which translates to 'wish ambulance', need volunteers including medical professionals of all kinds, photographers, videographers, fundraisers, office volunteers, translators, and beyond. If you would like to get in touch to see if you might be able to offer a hand, visit this page.

Environment

Mouvement Ecologique (move) - operating since 1968, this NGO has 2,700 members pushing a green agenda. You can support them with annual membership starting at 20 euros.

natur & ëmwelt protects biodiversity both nationally and internationally. They run nature reserves that protect 1,500 hectares across the Grand Duchy, and also operate educational and research projects such as the Luxembourg Ornithological Centre. You can donate to the foundation or a pick a project that matters to you.

Centre for Ecological Learning Luxembourg (CELL) - calling themselves a "citizen platform" for bringing about an ecological transition, this initiative encourages you to get involved in any way you can, including supporting them financially as a 'sympathizing member' if that's all you've got time for.

Animals

Amicale vun der Schoul fir Assistenzhonn (ASA) - ASA trains and provides guide dogs. You can sponsor a dog with a regular donation, and even get to pick the animal's name!

Déierenasyl is a shelter for dogs and cats, with over 60 years of history in the Grand Duchy. They welcome cash and material donations, or support through adoptions.

SOS Animaux is a refuge for abandoned cats in Luxembourg-Limpertsberg. They provide a welcome shelter for our furry friends, while encouraging visitors looking to adopt. They welcome cash donations as well as cat food (in sealed pouches).

Asile pour animaux régional Dudelange - this dog and cat shelter in Dudelange depends on donations to keep going. You can help them out through a cash donation, donating blankets or toys, visiting their second-hand shop or adopting one of their dogs or cats.

International

LUkraine - a non-profit organization created in 2014 by Ukrainians living in Luxembourg, aiming to preserve the development of the Ukrainian community in Luxembourg. LUkraine raises awareness of Ukraine in the EU and provides humanitarian aid to Ukraine.

Fondation Follereau Luxembourg - promotes the quality of life of vulnerable Afrtican communities, with projects such as combating child trafficking, teaching vocational skills, and providing emergency humanitarian aid. A 15 euro donation can provide a health kit for newborns in Togo.

Doctors of the World - MDM Luxembourg - MDM provides medical care to vulnerable people both at home and abroad, as well as advocating for access to healthcare. They welcome cash donations, as well as donations of equipment.

Médecins sans Frontières (MSF) is a big international NGO providing emergency medical humanitarian aid to victims of conflict and crises worldwide. Their LuxOR research unit is based in Luxembourg and Brussels, and focuses on evaluating aid projects and making suggestions for improvements. 96% of overall funding comes from donors. You can support them here.

Ecpat campaigns for a world free from the sexual exploitation of children, and is under the patronage of the Grand Duchess. Current projects include a campaign against child trafficking in Nepal, and providing support to victims of sexual exploitation in Cambodia. You can support them here.

Not too taxing

A word on tax. The main reason to donate to charity should be because you believe in the cause and want to support it. There's no hiding the fact, however, that it also has a tax benefit.

Cash gifts to foundations, public-interest organisations and the National Culture fund are all tax-deductible, providing they're at least 120 euros and no more than 20% of your annual post-tax income.

Think of it as a bonus for donating, rather than a reason to do so in the first place. More information here.

What have we left out?

There's so many other great projects that we didn't have space for in the article. Here's some other fantastic causes:

What else have we left out, but shouldn't have? Send your suggestions for worthy causes to audience@rtltoday.lu.