Though the word “tariff” may cause us to flinch these days, back in 1894, The Wilson-Gorman Tariff Act was pivotal in the world of charitable giving. It established the status that allows our charity, and over a million others, to operate as tax-exempt organizations within the U.S.
Seeing the need to recognise organizations providing lifesaving support to those in need, and inspired by this historical marker in giving, changemaker Sherita J. Herring created National Nonprofit Day as an annual observance in 2017. Each August 17th, the day is meant to motivate all walks of life to donate, volunteer and amplify the voices of their favourite charities.
Today, we’d like to take the opportunity to spotlight some of the wonderful work our partners are doing in each area of TWFF giving.
The Pulse | Education & Health
Nature has shown little mercy lately by way of disasters and just a week ago, Colombia was struck with a 7.4 magnitude earthquake. As of this writing, over 290 people have lost their lives and an additional 300 are still missing. Due to the damage suffered, over 25,000 families were impacted.
Some of the areas that experienced the most severe damage include Indigenous reserves and Afro-descendant communities. Because they seldom have access to health infrastructure or state assistance, our partners at Amazon Conservation Team (ACT) have started a Stand for Colombia campaign to deliver food, clean water, medical supplies and transportation, as well as lead community rebuilding initiatives during the recovery.
Our work with ACT goes back to 2009, first to help the Kogi tribe save sacred sites, and a visit with them in 2014. We renewed the partnership in 2020 to help bring relief to Indigenous communities during the COVID pandemic. In 2024, our most recent collaboration helped Brazilian communities rebuild in the wake of brutal wildfires.
To donate to their current campaign to help earthquake victims, start here.
The Desert Bloom | The Environment
Keeping the public informed about how to protect and preserve Mother Gaia is vital in these times. Our partners at Volcan Mountain Foundation, who we provided a conservation project grant for in 2024, are hosting a special Nature Symposium next month at the Julian Town Hall in Julian, California.
The event will feature expert speakers delivering short presentations in the upstairs hall, and an Interactive Exhibit Hall, which will span the lower level, hosted by regional environmental nonprofits.
This will take place September 19 & 20 from 11 am to 5 pm each day. Single-day tickets are $10 each, or for both days, enjoy a discounted price of $15 total. All are welcome.
If you’ll be in the area and would like to attend, you can register here.
The Ripple | Clean Water
Earlier this year, we awarded our 2026 Clean Water grant to our newest partners at Splash International for the purpose of providing sustainable sanitation solutions to schoolchildren in Zambia.
We were thrilled to receive our first update from them just a few days ago:
“Splash is working toward an ambitious goal in Zambia: bringing clean water and safe sanitation to more than 400 public schools across four cities, reaching more than 700,000 children.
With the generous support of The White Feather Foundation and its donors, Splash has spent the past six months laying the groundwork for this transformative project, including building our in-country team, onboarding our implementation partner, BORDA Zambia, and completing our first pilot schools. We have now completed water and sanitation improvements at 10 of our 14 pilot schools in Lusaka, with the remaining four nearing completion. Across these schools, we have installed proper plumbing, handwashing and drinking stations, chlorine dosing systems, and water storage tanks; dug new boreholes where needed; and installed solar-powered pumps to ensure a consistent, reliable flow of water. We have also rehabilitated existing toilet facilities at 10 schools, while construction of new toilet blocks is underway at the remaining four.
These improvements are creating safer, healthier learning environments for thousands of children and represent an important first step toward our larger vision for Zambia. We are deeply grateful to The White Feather Foundation and its donors for believing in this vision and helping make this transformative work possible.”
To support future Clean Water projects like this one, join The Ripple.
The Muse | The Cynthia Lennon Scholarship for Girls
Ongoing armed conflict, civilian casualties, mass displacement, economic instability, and natural disasters continue to affect millions across Myanmar where our partners at Health & Hope UK (recipients of our 2024 Cynthia Lennon Scholarship for Girls) provide assistance to vulnerable communities and support children in villages and refugee camps with education.
Despite these significant challenges, in the past year they were able to support 70 students to attend college and university, and feed over 2800 schoolchildren across 39 primary schools.
We received this lovely note from our partnership manager at Health & Hope UK last month:
“We hope you will be encouraged by the difference your support is making and by the determination of the communities we serve. Together, we are helping to restore hope, strengthen resilience, and build a foundation for a more secure future.
We are deeply grateful for your partnership and for the confidence you have placed in Health & Hope. Thank you for walking alongside us and for helping make this work possible for the communities we are privileged to serve.”
To help fund educational opportunities for the next group of student recipients like these, make a donation today to The Cynthia Lennon Scholarship for Girls.
The Dreamcatchers | The Preservation of Indigenous Cultures
The group who inspired the creation of our Foundation, The Mirning People, still need our help to continue defending the sacred land we helped them protect just last year.
The court case continues through rounds of appeal and protecting the existing wins. The Mirning are combining their court fight with long-term protection through an Indigenous-led World Heritage estate.
Below is a photo of the nalla blossom and here is a quote from the Elders’ book:
“When nalla trees blossom along the coast, Gaduma, the whales know. They make their journey home. This is how it has always been – the trees and whales together singing the same song of creation in language beyond words.”
The second photo is of the Yerkala Mirning Elders – Rose Miller, Yagalu Dorcas Miller and Meegan Sparrow. Today, Yagalu Dorcas Miller turns 89 years old, the oldest of all the Mirning People.
To give to the Save the Mirning Sea Country campaign, start here.
Every Action Results in Advocacy
Even if you are unable to make a monetary donation at this time, spreading the word about our programs and partners will help a great deal. From passing this essay link along in an email to posting about TWFF to your social media pages, your support is valued and deeply appreciated.
In addition to the praise for our partners within these paragraphs, we also take today to celebrate all who make their work possible: Our Supporters.
We express our deep gratitude for your continued loyalty and shared belief in our mission. We truly couldn’t do it without you…
“Wonderer” by Julian Lennon was taken on a philanthropic trip to Ethiopia in 2014. View more from his Horizon collection at julianlennonphotography.com.
Mirning photos (2026) courtesy of The Mirning People.
Amazing and thoughtful work. I am grateful for you and your team as well as the many organizations you partner with. Thankful for all of your generous supporters too. 🙏💞✨🙌
It is so wonderful reading of the great things going on in TWF Foundation. So happy to donate and know its going to great causes as stated above. God bless your kindness and life changing work. 🙏 Peace, Love, Happiness and Joy for all.
A very interesting essay as always ; thank you and all the team for all the fantastic work 🙏