Kiva: Microcredit Giftcard

Let me introduce you to KIVA, although perhaps you've already become acquainted as micro-lending is a rapidly growing industry.  Kiva is a website that brings together lenders and borrower's from around the world.  The loan applicants are typically from third world countries, looking for capital to fund their small businesses.  Giving to Kiva is not a donation to help the poor, it is a loan that the business owner you selected to receive funds will pay you back overtime.  As the money rolls back into your account, you can choose to re-lend or cash out.  It's really quite a brilliant system.  Here you can see a few examples of the loan applicants:

The KIVA gift card makes a fun gift because it's so much more than "so and so made a donation in your honor." (Human Fund anyone??) Given the gift card, the recipient gets involved in the lending process.  He or she gets to browse loans, select the applicant, and watch as the loan gets repaid. If they like the experience they can keep re-lending the money and your gift goes on forever. If it turns out that lending money to entrepreneurs in Peru isn't their thing, they could cash out and go buy a sweater. Either way, I think a Kiva card is a great way to go! 

Special Note:  If any of my friends join KIVA, I can get a loan bonus which I will happily pass on to you in the form of a Kiva Card.  Leave me a note in the comment section before you join and I'll email you the "official invite" so we can score the $25 start up money.