'Tis The Season of GiveBack

The folks at One2One Network turned me on to a very cool site appropriate for the holiday season of giving: GiveBack.org.  The simple premise of this website is to make charitable giving easier. First, GiveBack users can create their own foundation from a huge variety of nonprofit organizations. The foundation I created benefits the Columbus Museum of Art, Slow Food International, Local Matters, Columbus Metropolitan Library and Capital Area Humane Society.  Register and $5 is instantly deposited in your account to give to your favorite charity.

Next, registrants can earn money towards their foundation by shopping through the GiveBack site.  The percentage donation varies per retailer, but over 400 stores have signed up including big names like Old Navy, Gaiam, and Staples.

Finally, you can contribute directly to GiveBack and disburse the money as you wish.  Adding funds is completed on a secure single screen.

As a bonus, GiveBack members can compete for a 'M Award' sponsored by MISSION founders Serena Williams and Steve Nash.  The M Award gives $1000 to the charity of a member with an inspiring story.

I have seen philanthropy concepts like this before but there always seems to be a catch.  So far, I can't find anything to dislike about GiveBack.  The money donated through GiveBack is turned over 100% to the charity with no surcharges.  (Non-intrusive sponsors cover the costs of operation.)  The site is professionally designed and I couldn't find a glitch among lots of surfing.  I gave funds in amounts as low as $1 to test flexibility for using this site with children who may want to split small donations several ways.

I plan to use GiveBack to manage my charitable donations this season.  How do you give during the holidays?