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Farogat Holmuradova sells women's clothing in a bazaar in Tajikistan. Hoping to improve sales by adding new styles to her selection, she's turned to Kiva.org for a small loan. In southern Azerbaijan, Aliyev Ilham and his family have lived for years off a small herd of sheep. Now, he's looking to expand his business with a temporary infusion of cash.

Because the working poor in the developing world often lack a credit record or collateral for a loan, they can't easily secure assistance from their corner banks. But for years, they've been able to turn to Kiva, a successful microloan site that connects people willing to donate small sums with the owners of individual businesses around the world who need the help. Through journals and email updates, the site shows exactly how your money is used. When the loan is repaid, you get your dough back and can start all over again with a new business. We all remember the lessons of Scrooge—put your banker suit on and help someone build their future.

Every October, companies from BMW to Yoplait roll out lavishly funded campaigns to raise money for breast cancer research. Test drive this car and we'll donate to Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Buy this yogurt and we'll pass a percentage along to medical studies. That all sounds great—but is it, really?

The non-profit group Breast Cancer Action calls for a critical awareness of the corporate "parade of pink." Since 2002, their "Think Before You Pink" campaign has urged consumers to ask six questions about marketing efforts that brandish the famous rosy-hued ribbon. The project also tries to stem the tide of "pinkwashers," companies that "promote their dedication to curing breast cancer while manufacturing products that contribute to it." This year, let businesses know that fighting for a cure means more than increasing sales of mascara. Or key fobs. Or pretty pink candies.

This public service ad campaign distributed 20 video cameras to 20 teens and captured a telling portrait of their struggles to graduate from high school. These at-risk students had the license to film and speak freely; what they came back with reminds us how hard it is to be young, and how critical it is to have someone to give you a  "boost" of support. From Travis in New Orleans to JR in Seattle; from Hannah in Milton, Vermont to Cindy in Chicago, each of these 11th and 12th graders faces some obstacle to seeing his or her name on a diploma—and all have someone who's egging them on. We particularly recommend the clips from Roderick. The senior from South Central L.A. speaks eloquently of how tough reading can be, what a "Rock 'n Roll freak" he is, how creepy it is to be checked out by a gang-banger, and how his grandma motivates him.