My first pick is the Kiva organization. I don’t know if they’re the first to do what they do, but they are one of the best. They make what are called micro-loans to people in developing nations, so that they can better their lives, and the lives of others in their village, town, or city. The way it works is someone wishing to help browses the various projects that are looking for a micro-loan, and donates whatever they like to help fund that loan. So, if someone in Thailand needs $800 to start a goat herd for a meat and cheese business, and 40 people around the world donate $20 to that project then the load is funded and the money is loaned and tracked to make sure it is actually going to the people who will be using it. At the end of the loan term, the money is to be repaid by the borrower and then returned to you, the lender. You may take your money and put it back in your bank account or choose another program to loan it to.

The Kiva organization’s web site is www.kiva.org