So here's a question for you: What do Joe Stiglitz, Nobel prize winning economist, and the folks who blog at Iraq the Model have in common? Answer: you gotta read to the end.

It's a standard comment about blogs that their combination of immediacy and linking to a broader network gives bloggers and readers a direct sense of participation, social connection, and an almost proprietary interest in the informal community of shared information and conversation. Those factors have made blogging enormously attractive for areas such as tech developments and political news and opinion, especially in a campaign year. But there are undoubtedly other niches of human activity that will benefit from the particular characteristics of blogs.

Here's one I think is going to become very important -- philanthropy. People are frustrated with handing over contributions to faceless intermediaries like United Way, which have also lost quite a lot of credibility with the various scandals that have popped up with some frequency. Even giving to a specific organization, whether a charity or an alumni association, often feels detached. How is my money being put to good use, not just in the sense of a financial accounting (although that's certainly welcome assurance that my money's not lining the pockets of some charity's executive or good buddies), but how is it making a difference in the lives of the folks it's helping or in contributing to some goals I think are sufficiently important that I take out my checkbook.

Blogs (and affiliated websites) present a new way to bring back the sense of direct connection that's missing in the professionalization of philanthropy these days. Instead of an anonymous direct mail solicitation (or heaven forbid, a telemarketing call), the blogs can link people who are already interested in a particular issue area, part of the world, or institution with the opportunity to support directly something they care about. And even more important, rather than receiving, if you're lucky, an occasional newsletter or "giving report," blogs can give donors the chance to follow what's happening, to communicate about the project or institution with other supporters who share similar interests, even maybe communicate with the people who are benefiting from the financial contribution.

I've thought about this occasionally because two of my former colleagues have created a web-based charitable network called Global Giving, which allows individuals and corporations to contribute to projects in the developing world, especially some of the grassroots initiatives that are exploring new ways of making a difference in health, education and entrepreneurship, especially for women. It's been fascinating to watch how their initiative has evolved over the couple of years they've been at it, and I think they're just scratching the surface.

Now comes a terrific example from praktke of the potential power of blogging to link those with a passionate concern and the people who need passionate support. It was posted at Tacitus, and I copy it here in full.

I just gave $50, and I'm a congenital pessimist about Iraq. But it feels good to do something concrete. I know many of you folks in the private sector make far more than I do, so get out your wallets and give to a good cause.