26 for ’26

Lacing up your sneakers and vowing to eat healthy sounds like a good idea as a new year rolls in, but by the time the redbuds bloom, good intentions are often long forgotten. This year, challenge yourself to a resolution that makes a lasting impact on your community, the economy, and even on your own personal growth. 

Tallahassee is home to more than 721 nonprofit organizations that put nearly 12,000 people to work and generate more than $4 million in revenue, according to the Florida Nonprofit Alliance. In fact, Kyndra Light, executive lead for the Institute for Nonprofit Innovation and Excellence (INIE)—a program that began as a nonprofit in 2014 and has become a place of support and training for nonprofits in the Leon, Wakulla, and Gadsden counties region through Tallahassee State College—says what distinguishes this area from other parts of the state is the impact that local nonprofits play in the community.

“Our economy operates on a tripod of the public sector, the nonprofit sector, and the private sector,” she explains. “Because we have a lot of state agencies here, the government contracts with and counts on nonprofits to help get the job done.”

Many of those nonprofits rely on donations, volunteerism, and more to fulfill their missions. Light adds that stepping into a cause that speaks to you does more than just meet needs—it offers real benefits in return. 

“I come from the business world,” Light says. “[Getting involved] looks good for your business, but on an intrinsic level, it fills your cup to know you’re out there helping in the community, putting your heart behind a mission, and using your grit to put your boots on the ground.”

Here are 26 great causes to get behind in 2026. Later this year, INIE plans to release a sector report introducing nonprofits in this area to help residents vet the organizations they’d like to support. Visit myinie.org for resources, including a calendar of local events and networking opportunities.

1. Help reduce the barriers to homeownership through Big Bend Habitat for Humanity. Help families in need establish self-reliance and stability through community partnerships. bigbendhabitat.org
2. Encourage people, especially the neurodivergent, to improve their social connections, self-esteem, and professional skills by participating in workshops or visiting the annual arts showcase offered by Motivating People Through Arts and Crafts. mpacobs.com
3. Mentor middle- and high school-aged girls through leadership training with Ladies Learning to Lead that focuses on breaking down racial and socio-economic barriers. l3ladies.org
4. Join 1,000 Friends of Florida to build better communities and preserve special places through initiatives for walkable cities, affordable housing, transportation alternatives, clean water, natural lands preservation, and recreation. 1000fof.org
5.  Shop the online marketplace of the Red Hills Small Farm Alliance, which is open Sunday-Tuesday for orders that are delivered on Thursdays. The organization educates the community and connects residents and area farmers. redhillssfa.com
6. Attend the Greg McCray Annual Golf Tournament to benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Big Bend and support its mission to inspire and enable young people, especially those from disadvantaged circumstances, to realize their full potential. bgcbb.org
7. Dads deserve a village too, and Carter’s Corner supports fathers who need someone to talk to as well as provides educational programs, family support, and opportunities for personal growth. carterscorner.org
8. Tallahassee Museum inspires transformation through its natural and cultural exhibitions. Volunteer your skills as a craftsman, artist, or musician for the museum’s special programs. tallahasseemuseum.org
9.  Volunteer as a MathPal or ReadingPal through the United Way of the Big Bend’s classroom support programming. uwbb.org
10. Attend an event, purchase merchandise, or join the social media pages of the Innocence Project of Florida, which helps wrongfully incarcerated individuals in Florida regain their freedom and promotes criminal justice reform. floridainnocence.org
11. The Children’s Home Society works to prevent situations where children are removed from their parents’ custody. Be an advocate, attend an event, or purchase an item from a wish list to help families facing challenges. chsfl.or
12. Second Harvest of the Big Bend is the primary source of charitable food in the 16-county region that includes Tallahassee, last year distributing 21.1 million pounds of food. Organize a food drive at your workplace, church, or school. fightinghunger.org
13. Unwanted pets wind up in overpopulated shelters or as strays. Join Be The Solution’s efforts to promote affordable spay and neuter surgeries. bethesolution.us
14.  Help Knight Creative Communities Institute strengthen Tallahassee’s sense of place by getting involved with its Community Catalysts program. Chosen through an application process, catalysts develop and contribute to deadline-driven initiatives to address local concerns. kccitallahassee.com 
15. Advantage Aging Solutions enhances the quality of life for older adults, people with disabilities, and their caregivers by connecting them with home-based and community services. advantageaging.org
16. The American Red Cross’s volunteers  with the North and Central Florida  chapter bring food, shelter, and comfort in the wake of a hurricane or other natural disaster and have opportunities for all abilities.  redcross.org/local/florida/north-central-florida
17. Keep seniors learning, creating, engaging, and physically active through the Tallahassee Senior Center Foundation. Gift a membership, or join and share your talents. tallahasseeseniorfoundation.org
18. Become a coach for Girls on the Run Panhandle. With locations in public schools, this organization blends physical activity with life skills development. You don’t need to be a runner to get involved. gotrpanhandle.org
19. Get involved with neighborhood revitalization through South City Foundation’s efforts to establish mixed-income housing, cradle-to-career educational pipelines, and community wellness initiatives. southcityfoundation.org
20.  The Queer Tallahassee Artist Collective strives to support LGBTQIA+ artists and makers through its Queer Makers Market, Crafting Beyond the Binary crafting meetings, gallery hops, and art and craft supply exchange. queertallahassee.com
21. Work to safeguard Florida’s wild spaces through events, rallies for political change, and community conservation efforts that the Florida Wildlife Federation, an affiliate of the National Wildlife Federation, offers. floridawildlifefederation.org
22. Join the efforts of the Council on the Status of Men and Boys to reduce gun violence and homicides in Leon County by addressing challenges males face through community partnerships and evidence-informed violence intervention and prevention initiatives. councilmenandboys.org 
23. Give a kid from birth to age 3 a hand up by volunteering or donating supplies to Kids Incorporated of the Big Bend, whose mission is to provide reliable and affordable family services for at-risk families with young children. kidsincorporated.org
24. Be a part of the Springtime Tallahassee Festival (March 27 and 28). What started in 1967 to prevent the proposed move of the state capital has become a source of civic pride that raises funds and awareness for local charities and operates the Belles & Gents youth service organization. springtimetallahassee.com
25. Help with local health care through volunteering, participating in an event (such as a breast cancer walk, tennis challenge, or golf tournament), or financially supporting an initiative presented by the Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare Foundation.  tmh.org/tmh-foundation
26. Whether you appreciate art or practice it, take advantage of public art projects, local exhibitions, lifelong learning opportunities, camps, and festivals supported by the Council on Culture & Arts (COCA) and its mission to strengthen the community’s creative appeal. tallahasseearts.org/about-coca