Charity & Goodwill

For many years, there's been a bit of a stigma attached to food stamps. But with recent economic turmoil, views have changed and participation in the program has increased. After improvements and a significant overhaul, the program doesn't just have a new face -- it has a "snappy" new name, too.

By Colleen Cancio

With its fleet of ships in tow, Greenpeace uses nonviolent tactics to bring attention to environmental abuse. How did Greenpeace start, and what does its name mean?

By Sarah Dowdey

Some wealthy people do more with their money than just buy more things. Some people set up foundations to provide aid to notable causes. Learn who's funding 10 of the largest foundations in the world.

By the Editors of Publications International, Ltd.

The Peace Corps provides foreign aid to developing nations in the form of expertise, education and training. Learn what the Peace Corps does, how you can join and where it might take you.

By Ed Grabianowski

Senior Connects sends high school and college kids into independent living facilities to bring the Internet to older people, reconnecting them with family, loved ones, and the pulse of today.

By David Neilsen

The BRICK Awards honor young people for public service work in the areas of community building, education and environment, health and global impact. Meet the 2007 winners.

2007 Brick Award-winner Cheryl Perera works to combat the global child sex trade, and has even gone undercover to catch a pedophile.

David Fajgenbaum's mother died from brain cancer. The loss inspired the 2007 BRICK Award winner to start a support group for students coping with a parent's illness or death.

2007 BRICK Award-winner Divine Bradley converted his home into a community center so he could provide kids positive role models and get them involved in their communities.

11-year-old Hannah Taylor is proof you're never too young to make a difference. This 2007 BRICK Award winner has raised more than a million dollars to fight homelessness.

A summer job changed not only 2007 BRICK Award winner Jennifer Staple's life, but also the lives of 400,000 people around the world. Her organization, Unite for Sight, is a global eye care provider.

2007 Brick Award winner Jennifer Zwilling, diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome, teaches students to understand more than just her disorder. She teaches them to accept people's differences.

A survivor of Liberia's civil war, 2007 BRICK Award Winner Kimmie Weeks vowed to help other children caught in war-torn countries.

Building better learners is 2007 BRICK Award winner William Hwang's goal and the reason he launched Innoworks, a program to get underprivileged kids interested in science, technology, engineering and math.

2007 BRICK Award winner Ruth DeGolia always thought of herself as a social activist, but she discovered becoming a businesswoman would allow her to help women in Guatemala earn a living wage with their jewelry creations.

2007 BRICK Award Winner Jacob Komar's fascination with computers led to a passion for helping others. Now Jacob rebuilds computers and provides them to schools, prisons and other organizations in need.

A dog attack at age 7 inspired 2007 BRICK Award winner Kelly Voigt to take steps to see that no other child suffers the way she did.

2007 BRICK Award-winner Ashley-Rhodes Courter experienced abuse and neglect in foster care, before being adopted. Now she fights to improve the foster care system and encourage adoption.

What problem in the world really stinks? What can you do to change it? For many, the first question is easy to answer, but the second one is difficult. Learn how Do Something inspires and helps young people make a difference.

After Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast of the United States, most of us saw what the Red Cross can do -- and what it cannot do. Learn about the functions and history of the American Red Cross.

By Ed Grabianowski

Several groups are providing direct aid to the victims of Hurricane Katrina, including the American Red Cross, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the National Guard. There are also many ways that you can bring relief to those in need. Learn exactly what these organizations are doing and how you can help.

By Dave Coustan

The Red Cross provides medical care and humanitarian aid around the world. Learn about is mission and activities.

By Dave Coustan

The Shoah Foundation has documented more than 50,000 Holocaust testimonies for the purpose of preventing future genocides. Learn all about this phenomenal undertaking and how it plans to turn survivors into educators.

By Katherine Neer

Philanthropy has a whole new meaning in modern times. There are huge organizations dedicated to charity; there are gifts that are tax-deductible; there's a lot of fraud. Learn all about philanthropy.