Next time you donate, you’ll probably see a ‘Crypto Accepted Here’ button. Nowadays, charities big and small, from disaster relief organizations to community-based, are embracing the convenience of crypto.

According to TheGivingBlock, crypto donations exceeded $1 billion in 2024. Why the surge? Donating crypto isn’t just for tech bros anymore. More and more good samaritans are realizing donations don’t have to be limited by borders or banks and that crypto is the answer.

Curious about which charities are leading this charge? We’ll show you exactly how crypto giving works (spoiler: it’s simpler than you think), spotlight nonprofits turning digital coins into clean water and disaster relief, and unpack why this isn’t just a trend—it’s rewriting the rules of giving.

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Key takeaways:

Some charities that accept crypto donations include:

• Save the Children International
• The Water Project
• American Red Cross
• United Way Worldwide
• No Kid Hungry
• UN Ukraine Refugee Agency
• Give Directly
• Rainforest Foundation
• International Medical corps
• Children International 
• Hefer international
• World Food Program
• Médecins Sans Frontières
• Refuge point

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The emergence of crypto philanthropy

Crypto philanthropy has evolved dramatically. It was a novelty a decade ago—today, it’s a billion-dollar movement reshaping how we give. Early adopters paved the way, proving digital currencies could fuel real-world impact. 

Bitcoin’s launch in 2009 set the stage for decentralized finance, but it took a while for people to see the potential for charitable giving. The security, transparency, and efficiency of blockchain made it a natural fit for donations, and charities began to take notice.

One of the earliest and most famous examples was the Pineapple Fund in 2017, where an anonymous Bitcoin holder gave away over $55 million in BTC to various nonprofits.

That moment put crypto philanthropy on the map. Since then, major organizations like UNICEF and the Red Cross have started accepting digital assets, proving that crypto donations aren’t just a passing trend.

Beyond the big-name charities, crypto giving has also opened the door for grassroots organizations and global initiatives that might otherwise struggle with traditional banking barriers. 

14 charities that accept cryptocurrency

1. Save the Children

Save the Children was ahead of the curve, becoming the first international NGO to accept crypto donations in 2013. Since then, they’ve expanded their crypto-friendly approach, now accepting Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and USD Coin (USDC) to support humanitarian efforts around the world.

2. The Water Project

Focused on providing clean water solutions in sub-Saharan Africa, The Water Project welcomes Bitcoin donations to help fund sustainable access to safe drinking water. Crypto supporters can make a direct impact by ensuring communities receive life-changing resources.

3. American Red Cross

The American Red Cross accepts Bitcoin and Bitcoin Cash donations, using crypto contributions to fuel disaster relief efforts worldwide. Whether responding to hurricanes, wildfires, or humanitarian crises, crypto donors can help provide emergency aid where needed.

4. United Way Worldwide

United Way accepts Bitcoin donations to fund education, financial stability, and health initiatives. By embracing crypto, they’re making it easier for donors to support a wide range of programs that uplift communities.

5. No Kid Hungry (United States)

Let’s get real: 1 in 5 American kids don’t know where their next meal comes from.  No Kid Hungry isn’t just ‘raising awareness’—they’re hacking the system. How? By accepting everything from Bitcoin to Shiba Inu (70+ cryptos total) and converting those digital dollars into classroom breakfasts, grocery cards for families, and summer meal programs that don’t quit.

6. UNHCR- Ukraine

Since the war began, UNHCR-Ukraine has been on the ground, providing emergency shelter, essential supplies, and psychological support. Crypto donations have been a lifeline toward this goal. In 2023, this innovative approach earned recognition at Paris Blockchain Week. UNHCR received the “Best Impact Project Award“ for its pilot program using blockchain technology to distribute cash assistance to people affected by the war. This project showed how crypto can make humanitarian aid faster, more transparent, and more effective.

7. GiveDirectly

GiveDirectly provides direct cash transfers to impoverished people across Africa, allowing recipients to decide how best to use the funds. Since 2009, they’ve delivered $800M+ in cash directly to over 1.6 million people. GiveDirectly accepts Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies such as DOGE, XRP, and LTC to support its activities.

8. Rainforest Foundation

Since 1988, the Rainforest Foundation has protected rainforests and supported Indigenous communities. It achieves this objective by providing the tools, training, and resources that ensure the rainforests’ best guardians can defend their rights—and their forests. The organization accepts Bitcoin, Ethereum, USDC, and Solana.

9. International Medical Corps

When hospitals collapse under bombardment or earthquakes bury entire villages, the International Medical Corps mobilizes—powered in part by crypto donations. These aren’t abstract transfers: your Bitcoin funds surgeons operating in blackout zones, trains local medics to contain outbreaks, like cholera, and drops emergency kits into regions where banks have gone offline.

10. Children International

 Focused on breaking the cycle of poverty for children worldwide, Children International accepts crypto donations to fund education, healthcare, and nutrition programs for underprivileged youth.

11. Heifer International

Heifer International uses crypto donations to fund practical solutions: think goats for families in Honduras, beehives for farmers in Nepal, or training for Ugandan women launching chicken farms. These aren’t handouts—they’re tools for self-reliance. Your Bitcoin or ETH could help someone grow their income, put food on the table, and send their kids to school… all without middlemen or bank delays.

12. World Food Program (WFP)

 The World Food Program (WFP) puts crypto to work where it matters most: their blockchain system turns Bitcoin or Ethereum into emergency food kits for families fleeing climate disasters or war. Want proof? Track your donation in real-time—watch your crypto become sacks of rice delivered to a Syrian refugee camp or meals for Malawian farmers rebuilding after cyclones.

13. Médecins Sans Frontières

Médecins Sans Frontières accepts cryptocurrency donations in select regions to deliver critical care where traditional banking systems fail. In conflict zones like eastern Ukraine or refugee camps in Bangladesh, Bitcoin or Ethereum contributions help fund mobile surgical units, emergency vaccine drives, and trauma counseling—often within hours of a crisis unfolding.

14. RefugePoint

RefugePoint uses crypto donations to cut through bureaucracy—think of a Syrian refugee in Jordan receiving microloans to start a tailoring business or a Congolese family accessing trauma care via a blockchain-verified aid voucher. Your Bitcoin or stablecoins don’t just ‘support’ resettlement; they fund language classes, job training, and mental health services that let displaced people chart their futures far from the limelight.

Benefits of donating cryptocurrency

•  Maximize your tax savings: If you’re sitting on a pile of appreciated cryptocurrency, donating it to charity can be a smart financial move for you and the cause you care about. One of the biggest perks? You can completely sidestep capital gains tax. Usually, you owe taxes on the profit if you sell crypto that’s gained value. 
•  Transparency and efficiency: One of the biggest frustrations with traditional donations is not knowing exactly where your money goes. Did your $100 pay for malaria nets to get swallowed by administrative fees? Crypto cuts through the guesswork.  Thanks to blockchain technology, every transaction is recorded on a public ledger, meaning anyone can track donations in real-time.  
• Faster and giving: looking for a fast and seamless way of giving?  Whether donating to a local nonprofit or an international relief organization, transactions settle quickly, often within minutes, enabling you to offer assistance as soon as possible.
• Privacy options: Want to support a cause without your name on a donor list? Blockchain lets you give anonymously—no forms, no tracking, just your crypto landing in a charity’s wallet. This isn’t shady; it’s privacy by design. Activists in oppressive regimes use it to fund dissent safely. Every day, donors use it to avoid fundraising spam. Either way, blockchain’s transparency ensures funds reach their mark, even if your identity stays hidden.

How to donate cryptocurrency

• Selecting a reputable charity: Not every charity knows how to handle crypto smoothly—some might even lose their donation in a digital black hole. Before hitting ‘send,’ do a quick gut check:
  • Does their website explain precisely how they convert crypto to meals or medicine?
  • Look for reputable partners like The Giving Block or Coinbase Commerce, which vet charities for secure crypto handling.
• Make your crypto donation: Most charities provide a dedicated donation page with step-by-step instructions. Typically, you’ll choose your cryptocurrency, enter the donation amount, scan a QR code, or send funds to a designated wallet address. It’s usually quick and hassle-free.
• Document everything: Want to claim a tax deduction? Ensure you get a charity receipt detailing your donation amount and date. Since crypto tax regulations can be tricky, consulting a tax professional can help ensure you’re following the right guidelines.

Considerations and best practices 

1. Volatility of cryptocurrencies 

Cryptocurrency values can swing wildly. If you’re donating a significant amount, consider timing your contribution strategically to maximize its impact and optimize potential tax benefits.

2. Anonymity vs. recognition 

Crypto transactions can be anonymous, but if you want a tax receipt (or updates on how your donation is used), it’s worth providing the charity with your contact information.

3. Regulatory compliance

Before donating, consult a tax pro familiar with crypto—rules vary widely, and a misstep could cost you. (For U.S. donors, IRS guidelines treat crypto as property, so documentation is key!)

What’s the future of crypto donations?

As crypto becomes mainstream, more nonprofits are expected to accept digital assets. Several factors are driving this growth. First, crypto is simply more mainstream now—buying, holding, and transferring digital assets has never been easier. Second, more people are seeing crypto as a viable way to give back.

This shift will give crypto holders more opportunities to donate in a tax-efficient and impactful way. A prime example? Fidelity Charitable, one of the biggest donor-advised fund providers, reported $688 million in crypto donations as of late 2024. That’s a jaw-dropping 1,300% jump from the $49 million in 2023. 

The rise of decentralized finance (DeFi) could open up new ways to give, from staking rewards to yielding farming donations. As the space evolves, innovative philanthropic models are likely to emerge.

Finally, blockchain’s public ledger means every crypto donation is traceable, down to the cent. For charities, this isn’t just about tech; it’s a trust revolution. Donors see exactly how their ETH provided school fees for  50 kids or built a well, turning skepticism into long-term partnerships

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