Activism
We at Monkey Puzzle Press believe in and encourage social activism and civic engagement. We believe the creation of art is activism in and of itself, so whether we like it or not, we are all making statements the moment we put pen to paper, brush to canvas, fingers to guitar, and so on. It’s part of our lineage. It’s up to us to enlighten the citizenry; an enlightened citizenry will set us free. As the historian Howard Zinn has said, “A box cutter can bring down a tower. A poem can build up a movement. A pamphlet can spark a revolution.” Below are a few organizations we support. Dig ‘em.
Advocacy for Patients with Chronic Illness
Advocacy for Patients with Chronic Illness assists people needing access to medical records, health insurance, disability income, and other services for people who are unable to access or afford such information and assistance.
The American Solar Energy Society is the nation’s leading non-profit association of solar professionals & advocates. Their mission is to inspire an era of energy innovation and speed the transition to a sustainable energy economy. They advance education, research, and government policy.
Amnesty International is a worldwide movement of people who campaign for internationally recognized human rights for all.
Bonneville Environmental Foundation
The Bonneville Environmental Foundation is an entreprenurial, non-profit organization on a mission to fundamentally transform the relationship between humans and the earth’s energy and water resources.
CARE is a leading humanitarian organization fighting global poverty. They place special focus on working alongside poor women because, equipped with the proper resources, women have the power to help whole families and entire communities escape poverty.
Compassionate Friends assists families with positive resolution of grief following the death of a child of any age and provide information to help others be supportive.
CUB is a national organization serving those touched by adoption and others concerned about adoption issues. Although their focus is on birthparents, long the forgotten people of the adoption community, they welcome adoptees, adoptive parents, and professionals.
Building upon a strong foundation of science, partnership and field demonstration, Conservation International empowers societies to responsibly and sustainably care for nature and the well-being of humanity.
Defenders of Wildlife is a national, non-profit organization dedicated to the protection of all native animals and plants in their natural communities. They work to protect and restore America’s native wildlife, safeguard habitat, resolve conflicts, work across international borders and educate and mobilize the public.
Doctors without Borders is an international medical humanitarian organization providing aid in nearly sixty countries to people whose survival is threatened by violence, neglect, or catastrophe, primarily due to armed conflict, epidemics, malnutrition, exclusion from health care, or natural disasters.
The Gorilla Foundation is a non-profit corporation dedicated to the preservation, protection and well-being of gorillas through interspecies communication research and education. The foundation is best known for it’s groundbreaking work with two western lowland gorillas, Koko and Michael, who were taught to become fluent in American Sign Language.
Green Empowerment partners with rural communities in the developing world to implement renewable energy and water systems that alleviate poverty and preserve the environment.
Honor the Earth creates awareness and support for Native environmental issues and develops financial and political resources for the survival of sustainable Native communities. They develop these resources by using music, the arts, the media, and indigenous wisdom to ask people to recognize our joint dependency on the Earth and be a voice for those not heard.
The Innocence Project is a non-profit legal clinic and a national litigation and public policy organization dedicated to exonerating wrongfully convicted people through DNA testing and reforming the criminal justice system to prevent future injustice.
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is the world’s largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research, education, and patient services. Their mission: cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease, myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families.
MonkeyLand is the world’s first free-roaming multi-species primate sanctuary. MonkeyLand creates awareness about the plight of primates and shows that with a greater understanding of our primate cousins, we can all live in harmony.
The National Network for Youth champions the needs of runaway, homeless, and other disconnected youth. Comprised of young people, youth-serving agencies, youth workers, and youth advocates, National Network members seek to ensure that all young people can be safe and lead healthy and productive lives.
The Native American Rights Fund is the oldest and largest non-profit law firm dedicated to asserting and defending the rights of Indian tribes, organizations, and individuals nationwide.
The PIH mission is both medical and moral. It is based on solidarity, rather than charity alone. When a person in Peru, or Siberia, or rural Haiti falls ill, PIH uses all of the means at our disposal to make them well – by pressuring drug manufacturers, to lobbying policy makers, to providing medical care and social services.
Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading sexual and reproductive health care provider and advocate. They work to improve women’s health and safety, prevent unintended pregnancies, and advance the right and ability of individuals and families to make informed and responsible choices.
Project Hello aims to build awareness of the world’s growing homeless problem; to create discussion and a platform for solutions; to give homeless individuals a name, and in the process, encourage others to treat them with dignity, respect, and compassion.
Save the Children is the leading independent organization creating lasting change in the lives of children of need in the United States and around the world. Recognized for their commitment to accountability, innovation and collaboration, they work takes in the hearts of communities, helping children and families help themselves.
Based in Ft. Pierce, Florida, Save the Chimps provides a permanent sanctuary for the lifelong care of chimpanzees rescued from research laboratories, the entertainment industry, and the pet trade.
The Surfrider Foundation is a non-profit grassroots organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of our world’s oceans, waves and beaches.
TED is a small nonprofit devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading. It started as a conference bringing together people from three worlds: Technology, Entertainment, Design. They passionately believe in the power of ideas to change attitudes, lives, and ultimately, the world. They’ve built a website that acts as a clearinghouse offering free knowledge and inspiration from the world’s most inspired thinkers, and also a community of curious souls to engage with ideas and each other.