Where Should I Invest? Putting my money into the mouths of startups

This November marks the 30th anniversary of my very first open heart surgery.  At age 2, I had a partial correction of a congenital heart defect.  In honor of this momentous occasion, I decided to become a year-long philanthropist.  Well....a mini one.  Each month, I will invest $30 dollars into a US-based start up, small business or micro-enterprise using sites like Kiva, MicroPlace, KickStarter, IndieGoGo and 33Needs.

For August, I've decided to choose between 5 companies that caught my fancy, 1 from each site.

Here's My Chance
Creating an interactive, video chat based fundraising tool
Diane
A woman who after brain surgery has created a fashion line 
Secret Science Club
Hosts live science events for the public
50 for 50 
A woman celebrating her 50th birthday by donating $50,000 in 50 days to WriteGirl, an LA nonprofit that benefits girls.
Accion Texas
Invests in minority entrepreneurs in Texas.

Where should I invest? Click here to vote!

HuffingtonPost Impact

Now that it belongs to AOL and has a Twitter exec in charge of social impact, the Huffington Post has a new channel.  Using CauseCast and Causecast nonprofits, they're highlighting good deeds around the country and nonprofits that are helping people, the environment and animals. 

Citizen IBM

You can follow them at Twitter (@citizenIBM), Facebook, and YouTube (citizenIBM).  IBM's employees are using their considerable tech knowledge to solve problems around the world for nonprofits and others.  They're using video, social media and challenges to inspire themselves and others to help the world.  You can also find and read their blog.

Salesforce Foundation

The Salesforce Foundation gives away 1% of the products, time and money of Salesforce.  What is Salesforce? It's open source and allows businesses to manage contacts.  Nonprofits can manage mailing lists, donor contact lists, grant lists, track funding and so much more.  If you aren't chosen to receive Salesforce for free, as a nonprofit you can continuously renew your 30 day trial for free (don't say it). It more than rivals Constant Contact and has great support.   

Love Drop

Help Attack!  Love Drop...who comes up with the names?  I love it.  Love Drop helps people in need.  Each month they highlight someone in need.  You'll see a YouTube video and paragraph description.  Plus for the people who can't afford it, paying $1/month ($12/year) to help people in need is pretty nice.  As a blogger, I can't wait to help them spread the word (and the help).  Seriously, bloggers: click on blogs.  Once a month blog about someone in need.  You can give a gift (besides money) to recipients once or monthly.  They also need help "on the street" if you've ever wanted to be a Santa Ninja (my phrasing, not theirs) then volunteer to help. 

One Percent Foundation

Ever wanted to be a philanthropist but didn't have millions of dollars?  Here's your chance.  One Percent Foundation is a giving circle.  Members pledge 1% of their salary each month and the money then goes to nonprofits of the group's choice.  Don't know what 1% is of your monthly salary?  Don't worry.  They have a calculator to help you.  Someone who makes $40,000/year will give less than $40/month (perhaps they take into account taxes?).  For March Madness, they got creative and are having a Tourney Contest.  A $10 pledge lets you nominate a nonprofit and enter their tourney.  The tourney winners receive the ability to donate the pot to the nonprofit(s) of their choice.  Hurry...You have until March 17th to enter!