1. CHARITY: WATER

Charity: Water is a non-profit organization bringing clean, safe drinking water to people in developing nations. We use 100% of public donations to directly fund sustainable water solutions in areas of greatest need. Just $20 can give one person clean water for 20 years.

Unsafe water and lack of basic sanitation cause 80% of diseases and kill more people every year than all forms of violence, including war. Children are especially vulnerable, as their bodies aren’t strong enough to fight diarrhea, dysentery and other illnesses.

90% of the 42,000 deaths that occur every week from unsafe water and unhygienic living conditions are to children under five years old. Many of these diseases are preventable. The UN predicts that one tenth of the global disease burden can be prevented simply by improving water supply and sanitation.

2. KIVA

Kiva’s mission is to connect people, through lending, for the sake of alleviating poverty. Kiva empowers individuals to lend to an entrepreneur across the globe. By combining micro-finance with the internet, Kiva is creating a global community of people connected through lending.

3. THE CARTER CENTER

The Carter Center, in partnership with Emory University, is guided by a fundamental commitment to human rights and the alleviation of human suffering; it seeks to prevent and resolve conflicts, enhance freedom and democracy, and improve health.

4. THE MONARCH SCHOOL

Founded in 1988, Monarch School and its committed team of teachers, administrators and volunteers is dedicated to providing homeless and at-risk children with an accredited education while caring for their basic needs. Today, more than 160 kids between the ages of 4 and 19 are enrolled at Monarch School.

5. WORLD VISION

Micro lets you fund small loans to empower hardworking men and women in poverty. Connect one-on-one with the entrepreneur of your choice — each with a sound business idea, but no access to credit to qualify for a traditional loan. Then share in the joy of their success.