A Present for the Future

As an alternative to the ubiquitous gift guides that always appear this time of year, each one claiming to contain all the ideal presents for everyone on your list, Changing The Present asks us to consider spending our money in more thoughtful ways.  Run by Important Gifts, a non-profit organization with an Advisory Board of more than 125 leaders with expertise across an entire spectrum, the website offers an easily searchable database of causes and non-profits ranging from sustainable agriculture and medical research to literacy and human rights.  Users are able to create personalized greeting cards to send along to the people they are donating on behalf of and the site has also developed a Facebook application that allows anyone to make simple $1 contributions to share with their friends.  As we witnessed during the recent campaign season, these small pledges can add up to significant amounts of money that can lead to powerful change. In addition to the donation model, the site offers individuals and non-profits the ability to leverage and access the online community by forming wish lists and fund drives for their favorite causes. Overall, a one stop site that offers an effortless way to give the gift of meaning this year.