Another way to redistribute, as it were

I stumbled across an awesome article that details 6 ways to raise a charitable child. The basic message is simple: be a good role model, and get your child started early. What I particularly love is the idea put forth by the parents in the article. They suggest that you make donations in your child's name, but be sure to make age-appropriate donations to organizations that are interesting for the child. Therefore, good donations for young children include "adopting" an animal at the zoo or giving money to the Humane Society.

The key to age-appropriate donating is making sure that kids are able to connect with their giving. As children get older, you can help them choose appropriate charities. Political or abstract giving (say, to world hunger) is better for teens, and giving to public schools or third world nations might be good for children in upper elementary.

Still, tho, the main point is to set up a culture of generosity within your household. Sit down with children, and make sure they understand where your charitable giving goes. And allow kids to participate in how the family's money will be spent.

For my part, I have a couple of organizations that I support when I'm able. Due to my internship, my giving has dropped somewhat this year, but I try hard to still give something. I've already donated to the nature center where I work, and I have several more causes that will get my money sometime in the next few months, including

* The Nature Conservancy (conserve land throughout the world, including in your own backyard)
* Heifer International (buy animals and training for third world citizens)
* Donors Choose (public school supplies for low-income schools)
* Habitat for Humanity
* various nature centers/zoos/etc via "adopting animals," but typically done spur-of-the-moment, so I have no links

So, what are your favorite charities? Where do you choose to donate money?