Random Acts

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Random Acts is a global nonprofit that funds acts of kindness around the world. It was started in 2010 by actor Misha Collins and social entrepreneur Philip Schneider. It runs as a 501(c)3 charity and is powered entirely by volunteers. The organization has regional branches in North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia, and supports hundreds of acts each year, from big projects to local kindness efforts.

The idea began after the 2010 Haiti earthquake when Collins asked his Twitter followers to help. The response was strong, raising more than $30,000 for relief charities. Inspired, Collins and Schneider started Random Acts to encourage grassroots social action. Since then, Random Acts has worked on global projects in many countries, including Haiti and Nicaragua, and has supported causes like child hunger, food equity, and disaster aid.

Random Acts is overseen by a board of directors and more than 100 volunteers from six continents. Collins serves as Board President, with Schneider and actress Danneel Ackles also on the board. Rachel Miner was the Executive Director from 2017 to 2025.

Past and ongoing projects include building a community center in Haiti (2011–2013), donating a school bus in rural Nicaragua (2012), and helping establish a Center of Human Development campus there (2015–2018). The Change a Life initiative provides ongoing funding and support to global communities in need. The organization has run many programs, such as the Annual Melee of Kindness (AMOK)/SPARK, Endure for Kindness (E4K), Class Act, and the Change a Life program.

Random Acts has partnered on various projects, including Dancescape South Africa (2017) and, in 2018, collaboration with the Legacy of War Foundation to help women who survived the Rwandan genocide. It has also joined forces with Crisis Support Network, IMAlive, and To Write Love on Her Arms to support crisis responders. In 2018, Random Acts worked with The Family Business Beer Co. to aid communities affected by hurricanes, and it has supported Move for Hunger, which distributes surplus food to those in need, with help from Supernatural cast members and related events.

In 2021, the organization launched the #RAServingHope campaign for MLK Day of Service and a food equity campaign to support urban farming communities. People can apply for funding by submitting itemized budgets for their kindness ideas, and requests can receive up to $499.

Random Acts has received recognition, including Best Charity at the Shorty Awards in 2010 and 2011, and was a finalist in later Shorty Awards ceremonies. In 2023, Charity Navigator gave Random Acts a 4/4 rating, praising its accountability, disclosures, and finances.