How is using Philanthropist.org different from participating in the traditional non-profit or charitable channels?
There are many ways that Philanthropist.org is different from traditional social-cause channels. The most obvious difference is that those making the sacrifice – donors and volunteers – determine what gets done, rather than an ivory-tower non-profit executive. Anytime a Philanthropist.org member identifies a need for change in the interest of societal benefit, that need can be easily served. The need can be simple, such as cleaning up a community park, filling a sand box, or delivering supplies. Or the need can be intricate or involved, such as providing licensed pro-bono business, legal, medical, or technical services. Another difference of interest to philanthropists is transparency. When you donate small amounts to a large non-profit, your contribution is pulled through an inefficient process. Administrative and overhead costs can reduce the net effect of your contribution by up to 40%. Plus, many popular non-profits make it a practice of holding and pooling donations. For example,
