Holiday Gift Idea #4

Give a little bit. Give a little bit of your money. Give a microloan in someone's name as holiday gift.

Over Thanksgiving we played one of my favorite games, Loaded Questions. One of the questions was something along the lines of "What was one of the best or most meaningful gift you've given?"

Mine was the time I paid for the groceries of the person in front of me who had forgotten their wallet. It felt so good! Karma is strong and powerful force, but beyond that, it just feels great to help someone out so unexpectedly.

Two of the organizations I'm considering this year are Kiva and FINCA International.

The mission of FINCA International is to provide financial services to the world's lowest-income entrepreneurs so they can create jobs, build assets and improve their standard of living. The vision of FINCA International is to be a global microfinance network collectively serving more low-income entrepreneurs than any other MFI while operating on commercial principles of performance and sustainability.

Kiva's mission is to connect people through lending for the sake of alleviating poverty. Kiva is the world's first person-to-person micro-lending website, empowering individuals to lend to unique entrepreneurs around the globe.

Locally some coworkers and I are purchasing gifts for three boys through Adopt-a-Family. Plus, our friend Bridget runs a food program for in Grand Rapids, Michigan that I plan on donating to this year.

Kids Food Basket provides healthy, tasty, efficient and cost effective evening meals "Sack Suppers" to children who are nutritionally at-risk.

It doesn't take much to make a difference.