Charitable Giving

5% of all my income from photography goes to Kiva, an organization that gives loans to needy individuals worldwide. Instead of giving aid that does not need to be repaid, Kiva lends to entrepreneurs through microfinance institutions who then disburse loans through field partners on the ground. The borrower is expected to repay these loans creating a sense of empowerment in the borrower. When repaid, the money can then be reinvested in another needy person or Kiva itself.

I like Kiva because instead of just giving out money, people must work to repay their loans which I think fosters efficiency and self sustaining business practices in the borrowers.

http://www.kiva.org/