For many people, thinking of philanthropy brings to mind images of Bill and Melinda Gates donating vast sums to eradicate malaria in the developing world or Oprah Winfrey opening the doors to her South African Leadership Academy for Girls. While high-profile people with enormous resources contribute mightily to the greater good, those of lesser means are joining together in record numbers and in unique ways to make a difference.

The cumulative effect of small contributions resonated after 9/11, again after the 2004 Asian Tsunami, and yet again in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005. Media reports about the donations' positive impact on those in need reinforced the idea that even a small contribution can be significant.

Although it's early in the 2008 election cycle, the media have already assigned enormous importance to the number of small donors each presidential candidate has among his or her supporters. Tallies of cumulative donations are viewed as more significant when they come in smaller increments, likely because those contributions point to a broad base of support.

Whether in support of a favorite candidate or a favorite charity, there's no question that individuals increasingly understand that even small contributions can have an enormous impact. That's why innovative and collective forms of giving are gaining traction across the nation and across the world.

An excellent example of innovation is the way in which individuals can now support entrepreneurs in developing countries through micro-lending. Often, people need only a small loan (under $1,000) to start a business that will lift their families out of poverty. Nonprofit organizations like Kiva facilitate micro-loans by partnering entrepreneurs with individuals who are each willing to lend a minimum of $25, and who in turn have the opportunity to watch the launch of the business and its growth. Over time, the entrepreneur repays the loan, and the lender can then support another would-be business owner.

In the realm of charitable giving, nonprofit organizations are increasingly leveraging large corporate donations so that small individual donations follow. A worthy example of this phenomenon is the YMCA Easter House in Port St. Lucie, Florida. With corporate sponsors ranging from local media outlets to the home builder and suppliers, the YMCA of the Treasure Coast is offering individuals the opportunity to win a dream home valued at almost $350,000 for a $10 donation per ticket. With the drawing for the home is scheduled for March 20, 2008, the YMCA anticipates selling about 75,000 tickets. Even for a well-known organization like the YMCA, raising that much money from individuals would be a daunting task without the foundation laid by its corporate supporters.

There's little question that, collectively, small donations can make an enormous impact both locally and globally. As word of opportunities to give - such as those presented by organizations like Kiva and the YMCA - spread, additional creative and innovative ideas for making a difference are likely to follow.