Living on Martha’s Vineyard, it’s impossible not to be inspired by the number of incredible organizations that make this community what it is. From housing and health to food, history, and the environment, there are so many people working tirelessly to care for this island and the people who call it home.
This time of year can feel overwhelming — between the sales, the emails, and all the requests for support, it’s easy to lose sight of what Giving Tuesday is really about. So instead of adding to the noise, we wanted to share a brief guide to some of the organizations we’ve been fortunate to work with (and admire) this year.
There are so many ways to give back — whether through donations, volunteering, or simply spreading the word. One of our favorite ways is through storytelling: using our lens to highlight the incredible people and missions shaping this community. If you’re looking for places to give back this season, here are just a few we’re proud to support.
YMCA of Martha’s Vineyard: Building Health, Connection, and a New Chapter
Last year, I helped the YMCA of Martha’s Vineyard with their capital campaign, and this fall they officially broke ground on their expansion — an incredible milestone for an organization that serves people of all ages and walks of life. I’ll be documenting the construction from above, and the variety of programs they offer, in the months ahead. I’m thrilled to continue capturing the energy and community that makes the Y such a cornerstone of island life.
One of the things I love most about the Y is the diversity of people it brings together. I often work out alongside an inspiring group of regulars, including Joan — an 80-year-old “addicted” to BodyPump — who proves daily that strength and joy don’t come with an age limit. That spirit of inclusivity and lifelong wellness is what makes this work so rewarding. This next chapter for the Y isn’t just about adding walls; it’s about expanding opportunity, belonging, and the stories that fill those spaces.
Island Housing Trust: A Vision of Sustainable Community
My relationship with Island Housing Trust goes back to their very beginning — when they had just one employee and a big dream. Today, they’re a team of 13, currently delivering two of their most ambitious projects yet, creating 142 homes that are both affordable and environmentally sustainable.
Over the years, I’ve photographed their families, homes, and community events — images used in annual reports, campaigns, and stories that show the true impact of IHT’s work. These photos aren’t just about buildings; they capture the people who’ve found stability, hope, and connection through housing that reflects the island’s character and sustainability.
Watching IHT’s evolution — and helping tell that story through photography — has been a powerful reminder of what’s possible when we invest in our neighbors and our shared future.
Vineyard Havens: Capturing Love, Legacy, and Strength
Few projects have moved me as deeply as my work with Vineyard Havens, an organization that offers families facing serious illness the chance to spend time together on the island — creating memories that often become among their last. This year, as the program has matured, the Jimmy Fund began recommending families in the greatest need of rest and reconnection. Many of these sessions have been for families who might not make it to another birthday or holiday together.
Every session is profoundly humbling. The love, laughter, and resilience that fill these moments are extraordinary. I’m reminded again and again that what we’re capturing is far more than photographs — it’s a record of love, connection, and hope. To be invited into those moments is one of the greatest privileges of my career.
If you rent out your vacation home, consider donating just one week. Vineyard Havens asks only for the time you can give — offering a family facing cancer not just a place to stay, but a restorative space for healing, peace, and renewed strength.
Vineyard Preservation Trust: Honoring History, Keeping It Alive
This year marked the Vineyard Preservation Trust’s 50th anniversary — five decades of safeguarding the buildings, stories, and traditions that shape the cultural heartbeat of Martha’s Vineyard. Their mission has never been about simply protecting old structures; it’s about keeping these places alive, relevant, and deeply woven into our community. Weddings, concerts, farmers markets, lectures, fundraisers, and even contra dancing — these historic spaces continue to be used, loved, and lived in.
And this year brought one of those small, funny revelations: I learned I’ve been pronouncing “Carnegie” wrong for forty years (it’s Car-NEG-ie, not Carn-a-gee). My high school graduation was at Carnegie Hall in New York City — proof there’s always something new to learn, even after decades. That sense of curiosity and reverence for history is exactly why I love working with the Vineyard Preservation Trust.
Under Nevette Previd’s leadership, the Trust produced over 50 events across 17 properties this year, each one a reminder of how preservation can be both practical and profoundly meaningful. Documenting their work feels like stepping into a living time capsule where the past and present meet — and where history isn’t just remembered, but actively experienced.
Island Grown Initiative: Nourishing Community Through Food
Island Grown Initiative’s work has always resonated deeply with me, especially their efforts around the food pantry and access to healthy, local food. Photographing their programs this year reminded me how much community grows around a shared table. Their team continues to nourish both bodies and spirits, fostering a more resilient and connected island food system — and I’m honored to play a small part in telling that story.
Fishermen’s Preservation Trust: Sustaining a Working Waterfront
I had the pleasure of collaborating with the Martha’s Vineyard Fishermen’s Preservation Trust on their beautiful cookbook project The Sea Table — a creative celebration of the people and stories behind our island’s seafood. While much of my work focused on photographing the dishes and ingredients, what truly stood out were the fishermen themselves — the caretakers of a centuries-old tradition who balance sustainability, stewardship, and passion for the sea. Their work ensures that the Vineyard remains not just a destination, but a living, working community connected to its waters.
Misty Meadows: Healing Through Horses
As a board member of Misty Meadows, this organization holds a special place in my heart. Though I photographed just a few moments for them this year, I continue to be inspired by their mission — creating healing connections between horses and humans, and fostering a space of inclusion and growth. Misty Meadows reminds me that sometimes the most powerful giving happens in quiet, steady ways — one child, one horse, one moment of trust at a time.
Vineyard Conservation Society: Protecting the Island’s Natural Beauty
Even when I’m not photographing for them directly, I’m proud to support the Vineyard Conservation Society through my annual 10% give-back. Their work to preserve the island’s fragile ecosystems — from beaches to forests to coastal ponds — aligns so closely with my own commitment to sustainability and environmental storytelling. Every time I’m out photographing a landscape, I’m reminded of how much their stewardship makes those views possible.
RIISE: Empowering the Next Generation
Though based off-island, RIISE’s mission — to support and mentor Black and brown students through inclusive educational programming — is one I deeply admire. Their work builds bridges, creates opportunity, and reminds me that representation and access matter everywhere. I’m grateful to contribute to their story and to celebrate the ripple effects of their mentorship beyond our shores.
Giving Tuesday
Each of these organizations reflects a different side of giving — from wellness and housing to history, food, and healing. Together, they remind me that community isn’t built in a single place or moment; it’s shaped by the countless connections we nurture, the stories we honor, and the ways we show up for one another.
This Giving Tuesday, I’m grateful not just to photograph this island, but to contribute — to use my work in service of the people and missions that keep Martha’s Vineyard strong. Using my camera to create impact, to help move these stories forward, is the greatest gift of all.
