I’ve already discussed some books you can buy for the people on your holiday-shopping list this season, but those of us who are literary-minded and charitable have other options, too.

• Book Aid International supports literacy efforts across sub-Saharan Africa
• Of the many wonderful things UNICEF does, I’m always especially impressed by the work they do to improve education — especially for women — throughout the world
• Books for Africa ships used textbooks to Africa
• The National Center for Family Literacy uses literacy as a jump-off point to improve conditions for families throughout the U.S.
• Room to Read builds schools and libraries in “developing” countries

There also are some non-book-related charities close to my heart:

• The Josephite Society of the Sacred Heart is a community of Roman Catholic priests that has been devoted to working in black American communities since the 1870s. Since the Josephites work largely in the U.S. South, their parishes and schools often suffer damage from hurricanes and tropical storms. This year, Josephite parishes in Galveston, Texas, and Lebeau and New Roads, La., were especially damaged
• Resolve: The National Infertility Association educates people about reproductive health and infertility
• The Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute promotes ethical adoptions of children (they put out an excellent report this past summer about finding families for black children)

Don’t like my list? Funky Brown Chick also has some suggestions.