Yes, You Can!

Sometimes it's crystal clear how to make a positive difference in the world--like helping a homebound neighbor.

But for millions of Americans who are looking for meaningful ways to donate their time or money, it's not necessarily obvious what choices to make. Some options--becoming a mentor to an at-risk youth, raising money for bed nets to prevent malaria in Africa, advocating for policies to curb global warming--are of clear-cut effectiveness. Some other options are more "iffy" in terms of lasting impact. It will take some homework to identify an opportunity that not only matches your personal interests but also holds the prospect of making a genuine difference.

You don't need to figure it out on your own. The concept of a "giving circle" has emerged in recent years as a vehicle that enables a small group of people to join together and become philanthropists. A "giving circle" is a group of friends who agree to pool their charitable dollars. They research various causes, and decide jointly which ones to support. Some groups go beyond financial donations and also provide hands-on help to selected nonprofits--including strategic planning, events coordination, grant writing, marketing, publicity, and fundraising.

It doesn't take big bucks to make a difference when you pool resources. If ten people each commit $20 per week, more than $10,000 will be available by the end of a year to, say, buy computers for an after-school youth program.

So, consider organizing a "giving circle", and become a philanthropist. Yes, you can!