Kiva

For those of you unaware of Kiva, it is a website which facilitates micro-finance loans to poor people in the developing World by allowing lenders (i.e. you) to browse a list of entrepreneurs wishing to borrow money and then lend to whomever you wish.  Your money is then lent to the entrepreneurs via a micro-finance partner in the borrower's country.  The idea is that instead of giving people handouts, which can foster dependency, you are providing a means to help people get themselves out of poverty.