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If you're not volunteering because you want to really make an impact, this new matching site--now expanding out of New York--can link you to an organization that needs your exact talents. Most busy professionals would love to volunteer, if only they had the time and inclination to seek out worthwhile experiences.

The popular geo-location app grew its total user base as it transitioned from nonprofit to for-profit--having more users to give to charity in the process. In a fascinating case study of how the for-profit industry can sometimes make a greater social impact than the nonprofit world, Shopkick , a popular geo-location app, has paradoxically created a more charitable community since it decided to ditch its charity business model and focus on giving people free stuff. The app rewards users with virtual currency for completing various check-in tasks at selected retailers which can then be redeemed for products or used to give equivalently to a charity.

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Nonprofits are fueled by tax-deductible donations—cash from individuals, public grant funding, or money from foundations. As of 2010, nearly 1.3 million 501(c)(3) organizations were registered with the IRS; they raise more than $300 billion in charitable donations a year