Here at Ruby Slipper we love to use our powers to deliver exceptional web design and marketing services for non-profits who are making a positive change in the world!
There’s no better feeling than helping an organization further its goals by inspiring audiences to action. We love what we do and it takes our work to a whole new level of rewarding!
Nonprofits have a big impact on the economy, local communities, and our futures. We thank those who dedicate their time and efforts to tackling issues like health equity, food insecurity, climate change, education, and medical research…
In the spirit of the season of gratitude, our team wants to shout out the love we feel for our favorite non-profits. These are near and dear to our hearts. We’re inspired by these organizations every day.
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF)
Ashley’s Favorite Non-Profit
The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) is a non-profit close to my heart, and one that I have been familiar with and following since I was young! When my younger brother, Ian, was 3 years old, he became very sick very quickly, and we soon found out that his body was beginning to shut down due to a lack of insulin being produced by his pancreas. He was quickly hospitalized, diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, and began receiving insulin injections and blood tests. Meanwhile, our entire family began the process of completely rethinking food and how we could keep his blood sugar in a healthy range. It was a life-altering diagnosis, and difficult to manage, and that is where JDRF came in.
The organization hosted fundraising events for research such as “walks” or races, educational seminars, and worked with hospitals to train medical staff on how to handle helping children who were coming into this new reality. Their mission to give children hope of a “normal” life, to provide science-based education on the disease, to encourage healthy living habits, and to move research forward in creating better insulin delivery systems and identify the disease earlier is one that I appreciate down to my core. My brother is now a loving husband and father, a successful doctor with a healthy, functioning body that he has learned to care for, and was incredibly inspired to move into medicine after seeing the benefits of research and medical advancements made in Type 1 Diabetes by organizations such as JDRF!
Ashland Schools Foundation & Girls Leadership
www.ashlandschoolsfoundation.org
www.girlsleadership.org
Rachel’s Favorite Non-Profits
For a local non-profit, the Ashland Schools Foundation is funding really awesome projects in our schools. They award grants to teachers for so many creative classroom and school programs for K-12, like art supplies, science kits, music coaches, books, and field trips. My kids are in elementary and middle school in Ashland, and it’s great knowing they have lots of exceptional opportunities to learn now and in the years ahead.
On a bigger scale, I’m also smitten with Girls Leadership. They have tons of educational materials and workshops for parents, educators, and community leaders centered around creating opportunities for girls to find their voices and become leaders. It’s such a cool mission, and I smile big every time I peruse their website. Try it!
Darkness to Light
Laura’s Favorite Non-Profit
It’s so hard to pick a favorite! But if I must…one of my favorite non-profits tackles an issue that is not easy to talk about and sadly way more prevalent than most people realize, child sexual abuse. Darkness to Light’s mission is to empower adults to prevent, recognize, and react responsibly to child sexual abuse through awareness, education, and stigma reduction.
Through trainings and research, they help break through the stigma and shame surrounding the issue and teach adults how to prevent, recognize, and react responsibly to child sexual abuse.
They have a ton of great online resources to help you learn more about the issue and take action. Check it out!
St Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital
Fiew’s Favorite Nonprofit
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is a non-profit pediatric treatment and research facility focused on childhood catastrophic diseases, particularly leukemia and other cancers. St. Jude treats infants, children, teens, and young adults. They help the family pay for all treatment, travel, housing, and food.
I’m drawn to them because they help make it so families do not have to worry about expenses, so they can focus on treatment. I love that they specialize in research, finding cures, and saving lives. St. Jude also treats children from around the world!
Malala Fund
Dena’s Favorite Non-Profit
My favorite non-profit is the Malala Fund. I believe in the power and vision of female leaders, and that creating access to education for all girls is our pathway to a bright future as a planet. I wholeheartedly agree with this statement from their website, “Malala Fund believes girls are the best investment in peace, prosperity and our shared future.” The Malala Fund champions every girl’s right to 12 years of free, safe, quality education by supporting a network of education advocates around the globe.
ACCESS
Lindsay’s Favorite Non-Profit
Growing up in Southern Oregon, I’ve always been familiar with ACCESS as a huge resource in our community. But it was during and after the 2020 wildfires that ACCESS really stood out to me. As a result of the pandemic shut down, so many families were already struggling. When the wildfires hit, it was absolutely devastating. ACCESS was there for Southern Oregon when we needed it most!
Having worked closely with ACCESS this year on their website, I have gained even more insight into the organization and its programs. The more I learn, the more I’m blown away!
The Ocean Cleanup & Southern Oregon Climate Action Now
www.theoceancleanup.com
www.socan.eco
Erin’s Favorite Non-Profits
The Ocean Cleanup
I love the ocean. It’s massive and serene and fills me with a sense of endless possibilities. But our beautiful oceans are brimming with plastic trash — especially in garbage patches. The pacific garbage patch is twice the size of TEXAS!
Inventor Boyan Slat at age 18 started The Ocean Cleanup. I love him because he saw an issue and leaped into action. He asked, “How can we clean it up? How can we stop it from getting there in the first place?” And from these questions, he began to experiment. Today, Boyan runs a non-profit dedicated to cleaning up the ocean and pulling trash out of rivers. I am inspired — he set his mind on an enormous goal and is going for it! The Ocean Cleanup helps the environment, economy, and health of our planet. Boyan is my hero!
Southern Oregon Climate Action Now
I am passionate about curbing greenhouse gas emissions and educating myself and the community about climate change. A few years ago, I took the Master Climate Protector course, a 10-week course taught by scientists. The course material covers climate change science and its impacts on key sectors such as energy, transportation, agriculture, water, and health. Within each sector, students learn about global and local impacts, personal and collective mitigating actions, and measurements on how to reduce our greenhouse gas footprint.
Through the MCP course, I met the Southern Oregon Climate Action Now team. Started by retired professors, Kathy Conway and Alan Journet, SOCAN is a grassroots, volunteer, non-profit organization of residents who care about climate change and have joined forces to take bold action against it. Through volunteer projects, SOCAN focuses on reducing the impacts of Global Warming across Southern Oregon.
SOCAN just celebrated 10 years and continues to educate and connect with the community on a daily basis. What a fabulous organization!
In addition to the non-profits above, we are fortunate to work with these amazing organizations (and Ruby Slipper clients) every day!
ACCESS
Asante Foundation
Health Care Coalition of Southern Oregon
Klamath Falls Head Start
Rogue Retreat
Ashland Community Health Foundation
Siskiyou Opioid Safety Coalition
Southern Oregon Head Start
Selberg Institute
Southern Oregon Goodwill
Lower Nehalem Community Trust
La Clinica
Wind River Tribal Buffalo Initiative
Their missions are big, their teams talented, and they are driving change. We often say that we’re their biggest fans, and we mean it. We’re honored to help amplify their messages, and use the tools in our Ruby Slipper wheelhouse to further their impact.
If any of these non-profits call to you, we hope you’ll support them in whichever way best suits you. By donating or sharing their missions on social media, every bit counts to keep them moving forward to make a difference. Thank you!
Every day, we are immersed in the fast-paced world of web design. Here, we share our insights with you!