Advice on how to make the world better.

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• Christmas Confusion Are holiday "adopt-a-family" programs a waste of my charitable giving?
  Sandy Stonesifer Nov. 11, 2009
  
• Brother, Can You Lend a Dime? Do Web sites like Kiva really help alleviate poverty?
  Sandy Stonesifer Oct. 21, 2009
  
• And the Winner Is ... Does the Nobel Peace Prize improve the world, or is it just a money-wasting ego trip?
  Sandy Stonesifer Oct. 14, 2009
  
• Typhoon in Burma! Tsunami in Samoa! What's the absolute best way to help after a natural disaster abroad? Should I send cash?
  Sandy Stonesifer Oct. 7, 2009
  
• Last Resorts How can I take an ethical vacation and still have a good time?
  Sandy Stonesifer Sept. 23, 2009
  
• Paralyzed by Health Care Reform I want to act, but I don't remotely understand the issues. What should I do?
  Sandy Stonesifer Sept. 16, 2009
  
• The 50-Cent Rule If a charity spends less than half its funds on its programs, does that mean it's ineffective?
  Sandy Stonesifer Sept. 9, 2009
  
• Donate … or Else I'm the boss. Can I ask my employees to give to my favorite charity?
  Sandy Stonesifer Sept. 2, 2009
  
• Meet Me in St. Louis Does volunteer work have more impact if you do it on the East Coast?
  Sandy Stonesifer Aug. 26, 2009
  
• Thou Shalt Be Debt Free Which is more important: tithing or paying off my $13,000 credit-card debt?
  Sandy Stonesifer Aug. 12, 2009
  
• Garden-Variety Activism Can I plant some vegetables in the vacant lot nearby?
  Sandy Stonesifer Aug. 5, 2009
  
• I Do Good Can I turn my wedding into a charity fundraiser?
  Sandy Stonesifer July 29, 2009
  
• Drink to That What's the best way to help make the world's water supply safer?
  Sandy Stonesifer July 22, 2009
  
• No Friends? No Problem. I want to join an "activist community," but I'm shy. What do I do?
  Sandy Stonesifer July 15, 2009
  
• The Environmental Entrepreneur Should I go work for a green nonprofit or start my own?
  Sandy Stonesifer July 8, 2009
  
• Charity Muggers I avoid street canvassers for do-gooding organizations. Does that make me a jerk?
  Sandy Stonesifer July 1, 2009
  
• Shop Right The best ways to support worthy causes by buying cool products.
  Sandy Stonesifer June 24, 2009
  
• Charity Fat Cats The CEO of my favorite nonprofit earns more than $200,000. Is that outrageous?
  Sandy Stonesifer June 17, 2009
  
• Am I My Brother's Keeper? I have extra cash. My siblings don't. How much do I have to I help them?
  Sandy Stonesifer June 10, 2009
  
• Stop Pleas! The charities I support send me way too many fundraising letters. I'm sick of it. What can I do?
  Sandy Stonesifer June 3, 2009
  
• Get Out of My Black-Tie Dinner, Kid My organization helps needy children but makes them sit backstage during our fundraising gala.
  Sandy Stonesifer May 27, 2009
  
• Charity as Stimulus How to make charitable donations that also boost the economy.
  Sandy Stonesifer May 20, 2009
  
• Board of Turkeys This nonprofit should be great, but its board is a dud. What can I do to fix it?
  Sandy Stonesifer May 13, 2009
  
• Teen Angel This teenager wants to fix the world. These are the first three steps he should take.
  Sandy Stonesifer May 6, 2009
  
• Serve It Up In this terrible economy, where can I find a hands-on, do-gooding job?
  Sandy Stonesifer April 29, 2009
  
• Checkout Charities Supermarket cashiers keep asking me to donate $1 to charity. Should I feel bad for saying no?
  Sandy Stonesifer April 22, 2009
  
• Crawling Toward Service Is there any volunteer work my 3-year-old son can do?
  Sandy Stonesifer April 15, 2009
  
• Push a Button, Change the World Do "click to give" sites actually do good?
  Sandy Stonesifer April 8, 2009
  
• A Private Matter Am I hurting my local public schools—and hurting America—by sending my kids to expensive private schools?
  Sandy Stonesifer April 1, 2009
  
• Deserving Kids, Undeserving Mom Is this self-destructive, negligent mother taking advantage of my generosity?
  Sandy Stonesifer March 25, 2009
  
• Just Say No How to turn down requests for charity without feeling like a jerk.
  Sandy Stonesifer March 18, 2009
  
• You Can't Take Them With You The damaging myth that doctors hasten the deaths of organ donors.
  Sandy Stonesifer March 11, 2009
  
• Bridge to Somewhere I could get an MBA, or I could keep working at nonprofits. Which is better?
  Sandy Stonesifer March 4, 2009
  
• Chic Without Guilt Sweatshops. Child labor. Toxic chemicals. Is it possible for a fashionista to dress herself and keep a clear conscience?
  Sandy Stonesifer Feb. 25, 2009
  
• Charity Begins at Home I'm a working mom with little kids. Is there any volunteer work I can do between 4 a.m. and 6 a.m.?
  Sandy Stonesifer Feb. 18, 2009
  
• How To Help a Vet Many veterans charities aren't very good. But there are other ways to aid returning soldiers.
  Sandy Stonesifer Feb. 11, 2009
  
• All for ONE Should I give to charities that raise awareness, or only to charities that take direct action?
  Sandy Stonesifer Feb. 4, 2009
  
• Serve With Me How can I get my friend to come volunteer with me?
  Sandy Stonesifer Jan. 28, 2009
  
• Sister, Can You Spare a Dime? I don't give to my neighborhood panhandlers. Should I?
  Sandy Stonesifer Jan. 23, 2009
  
• The Law-School Debt Trap Here's how to escape it and have a career in public service law.
  Sandy Stonesifer Jan. 22, 2009
  
• Blankathon Should I give money to that bikeathon, walkathon, readathon, or danceathon?
  Sandy Stonesifer Jan. 21, 2009