This is one fantastic, exhilarating and nerve racking roller coaster ride!

To me this is indeed all about three words leadership, passion and resourcefulness.
I have found 18 projects that if I had the money -- I would fund! Here are 6 that I hope "know the way to San Jose"

1. buttons of hope "putting a face on fundraising" I wish I could have another shot at my elevator pitch -- my idea is so much more profound, deeper than a simple photo button -- it is about helping charities energize grassroots fundraising by bringing out and attaching emotion to a cause, personalizing it!

"My husband and I do not leave the house without our (photo)buttons. I tried not wearing it because it is still very painful, but then I feel like I am denying her life if I don't wear it." This what a Mom said one year after first wearing a button in a MADD charity walk to honor her daughter Janine killed by a drunk driver.

***and this today in my comment section..."It is amazing to me to see the face of someone I love on a button - it is such a gift to share stories of their lives while at the same time raising money to make a difference in the lives of those suffering from the same disease."
by ruth

2. Nabuur I love the idea of villages defining and refining their needs and then seeking out individuals and/or groups to help them solve their problems. To me "instructions on bee-keeping in Gbongay (Sierra Leone)" sounds damn interesting --I'd give to that cause and I'd be darn interested in how much honey they make! Having the village define and then propose their needs...it's not unlike the empowerment one feels submitting to an N2 contest

3. Cauzoo for name and logo alone these guys should get something! Maybe I should have used their pitch..."We are trying to make a site where people can connect with their friends and share a new part of themselves- the causes they are passionate about." I know it's little cliche' to be the my "space of ___" but Cauzoo has a place -- I think people are hungry to share their "charity passion" and maybe find a new one! Cauzoo and buttons of hope are both on the road to cure apathy!

4. Hooze & Wagn OK name runner up! I need this site NOW! It is about time someone "...adding a clear economic push for transparency." Yes I want to know the human rights record of the company I buy my shirts from -- given this info I can and will choose to buy from an ethical company --so will others -- and you guess what ethical companies will flourish --market forces for good, for a change! There that was easy! Transparency is the new BLACK!

5.Freecycle OK I am a garage sale junkie! And yes I admit I tripped my Mom in a yard of one particularly good sale -- but I mean it was a really good sale!! Freecycle is one of those why didn't I think of it projects! "keeping over 300 tons a day out of landfills as a result" one man's junk another man's treasure --Freecycle has the resourcefulness award sewn up!

6. Farmer 2 Farmer Learning Another "think different" idea! I am 99.8% with this idea --my only concern is would the farmer's share their best practices, their secrets?? -- competition and all! This project should green light because it makes so much sense and it would be so cool to see the amazed look on farmer B when framer A shares the secret of perfect squash! Wish i had thought of this one 2!

There are many others I really would like to see become a reality -- selfishly -- I hope you will consider buttons of hope -- on the surface it is not that "techsexy" or "global in scope" -- it may be one day! My dream is to help people make a difference, their difference one button at a time. I voted for these five and a couple more -- I hope you will take minute to read my proposal and vote -- you can skip the pitch!