One of the most memorable points expressed in Leaving Microsoft to Change the World, a great narrative of John Wood's experience starting Room To Read, was that giving-back requires there to be disparity between people; well-off folks are able to provide money, people with extra time (but maybe not money) can lend a helping hand, and individuals with unique skill-sets and time can volunteer their services to some charitable organizations that are desperately in need but can't afford. As a single, unleveraged, mid-twenty something professional, I should probably be touching on all three rails.
Providing money is the simplest and quickest way to give back. It's also an interesting exercise in that you can vote with your dollars to what organizations are pursuing initiatives that you think will have most impact towards causes most important to you. For 2010, I monetarily supported:
Room to Read [link]:
John's organization and narrative sure made an impression on me. They build libraries & provide scholarships to improve literacy & gender equality in education across many impoverished nations in Southeast Asia & Africa.
Wikimedia foundation [link]:
Anybody who has visited Wikipedia has seen the major work of this foundation. While I consistently turn to Wikipedia for general knowledge and information (always very useful), some parts of their long term strategy make me nervous (e.g. I don't see a clear action plan to address plateaued activity and low global presence). I also think that much of their strategic language has a little too much hearts and flowers instead of a good old Porter force or two.
That said, the free, unbiased dissemination of information is imperative to a world of unencumbered and barrier-less education - something that needs to be a reality.
Engineers without boarders [link]:
Just like doctors without borders, engineers without borders has the promise to solve core infrastructure problems in underdeveloped areas of the world. Increasingly it seems that jump-starting a developing area with basic human needs will require jump-starting some basic engineering problems; enter folks who have real talent. I'll pay for lunch & transport.
Kiva [link]:
Kiva is a micro-lending shell site. Basically, they funnel money (e.g. $25) raised from online users/donors to various micro-lending field managers* in impoverished areas of the world to help entrepreneurs get access to credit that they otherwise would not have. Kiva makes it quasi-personable by allowing you to choose which entrepreneurs and field managers to invest in. As entrepreneurs pay back their loan, you can redeploy those funds to new entrepreneurs.
It's a neat idea, but there is no opportunity for profit here and this is not tax-deductible as 100% of your contributed funds could theoretically be recovered (however unlikely). Also, in many impoverished areas, interest rates are offensively high (by western standards), but are still the best these guys would get otherwise.
* Field managers are local lenders; e.g. a small bank in some town in Sudan.
Adopt-a-classroom [link]:
Adopt-a-classroom [link]:
For some direct impact, Adopt-A-Classroom allows you to donate money directly to a specific school teacher or classroom to be used for school supplies, etc. It's quite nice when you have a few teacher friends who are hell bent on binders, buckets, organizers, and labels. :)
NAMI [link]:
A good friend of mine sponsored a team walk earlier this year as his family was acutely impacted by the tribulations of mental illness. Great event, genuine folks running it, glad to be able to support a friend's family.
Monetary support is just one of the three rails I mentioned; the other two will take time and consistent effort to follow through on. I've already started putting out feelers for a healthy year, but need to get in a rhythm to contribute both time and skill.
As a note to myself, 80 percent of life is showing up. Pick something that you're passionate about and find out what you can do to help. It's not called sacrifice because it's easy and painless. You make time for what's important.