Sharon Schneider · Philanthropy & Non-Profit Expert

One night last week, my husband read the book One Hen to our kids at bedtime. It’s a children’s book about a very grown-up topic: the power of banking. More specifically, the power of microfinance loans to provide opportunity for the poorest people in the world to build a business and improve their lives.

One Hen tells the story of a child in Ghana named Kojo whose community pools their money to allow each member in turn to buy something to improve their tiny businesses. The people use their purchase to increase their income and pay the funds back so the next person can borrow and the…

You’re so much more than money. When it comes to your ability to support causes, and ultimately bring about the world you want to see, the line item in your budget that is reserved for “donations to charity” is just the beginning of what you have to offer.

I see at least five additional categories that comprise your power to bring about positive social change.

Linking our consumer purchasing decisions with our values is one of the most powerful tools at our disposal as a community.

If you have an iphone, arm yourself to make good purchasing decisions on th…

During this time of financial turmoil, few of us are writing checks with the same frequency and the same number of zeroes as when we feel secure in our jobs and flush in our retirement accounts. But even if you can’t give money, that doesn’t mean you can’t still be charitable.

What Are Your Assets?

If philanthropy is a way of life, writing checks is actually a small part of your overall giving. Remember, you have great assets beyond the financial: your time, your talents, your networks, your enthusiasm, your help spreading the word—all these together can be more powerful that your ch…

I have great admiration for Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett and their recently announced effort to convince/cajole their fellow billionaires to follow their lead and pledge to give at least 50% of their wealth to charity. I was especially moved by Mr. Buffett’s letter explaining his reasoning. It speaks very directly to many of my own motivations and thinking around philanthropy….