This season is one of my favorites of the year, and not only because it means warbling off carols with family and friends or immersing myself in the yuletide spirit (or spirits). It’s because every year in the Bennett family, we duke it out to see just who can give the most responsibly: we exchange goats through Heifer International, carbon credits through Carbon Fund, and donations to NPR and Wikipedia.

Sure, it comes off as a competition in self-congratulatory giving. (And yes, since you ask, we are liberals from the East Coast.) But it’s also a valuable practice in stopping to recognize that we are fortunate enough to help those that need it most. Furthermore, it’s a practice that everyone can partake in, regardless of political leaning, denomination, or country of residence.

A recent article in GOOD Magazine pointed out that, “in fact, according to a study by the Women’s Philanthropy Institute, the Americans who give away the biggest proportion of their own income [to charity] are women who make $23,509 or less a year, not ridiculously wealthy white dudes named Bill.” But this is not only because we ladyfolks with shallow pockets are good and wise and magnanimous. (Though this assuredly must play a big role.)

It’s because philanthropy doesn’t just mean a million dollar aid package, a fleet of new computers for an orphanage in Honduras, or a new well sunk in an South African village. Philanthropy can come in smaller and unconventional packages. And so it was that several years ago the Bennett family discovered the paragon of responsible giving.

Behold: the Kiva Card. It comes in red and green or blue and silver* and is the gift that keeps on giving. Benefits to you: you look like a real do-gooder, and your recipient will find you both beneficent and savvy. Benefits to them: they will get to experience the exhilaration and certain joy of picking their own entrepreneur to lend to through the Kiva website. They’ll be given an opportunity to learn about an incredible and potent organization working in a vital emerging field in development. Finally, your recipient will reap the direct monetary benefits of their borrowers’ repayments (at least, 98.93%  of the time) over the next four to thirty-six months. Benefits to the world: somewhere in the sixty-one countries where Kiva works, yet another entrepreneur will be able to realize their microenterprise, and thus bolster the local economy, create jobs, and provide their families with the income and tools to move forward.

And best yet, unlike many other responsible gifts this holiday season, Kiva charges absolutely no overhead for Kiva Cards. (Unless you choose to donate on top of your $25 Kiva Card, which we could hardly blame you for.)

So what’s the drawback? You might actually look too generous and informed. And no-one likes being handed just an envelope, so be sure to find an extra big box in which to place your gift card before delivering it to its lucky recipient.

*Depending on what color construction paper you print it out on and what color markers you use. To give the gift of Kiva this holiday season (wink wink nudge nudge), check out Kiva Cards here! Kate Bennett is currently living in Ica, Peru and working as a Kiva Fellow with Kiva Field Partner Caja Rural Señor de Luren.

With a Chilean grandmother, the events of last week hit especially hard for me.  Fortunately, all relatives of my family are safe and were several hours away from the hardest hit areas.  I did have the opportunity to speak with one of my cousins in Chile and she was able to give several recommendations on great organizations to donate to for those looking to help.

Un Techo para Chile – This organization typically works with constructing new neighborhoods in Chile’s poorest regions.  With the many people left homeless following the earthquake, Un Techo para Chile will be an instrumental organization in helping with reconstruction.

Cruz Roja Chilena - As the Red Cross of Chile, Cruz Roja has been responding to the quakes since the beginning.  They have even set up a separate site to help families who have lost contact with relatives since the earthquake.

Bomberos de Chile - I recently learned that the firefighters in Chile do not receive salaries.  These professionals are assisting with the rebuilding efforts on a completely volunteer basis.

Armada de Chile – The Chilean Navy has also been critical in responding to the crises over the past week.

While the devastation to the country of Chile is immense, fortunately aid appears to be reaching those in need in a timely fashion.  Currently I have plans to travel to Chile in late April.  I hope to be able to report then that the country is well on its way to recovery and that the people of Chile will prevail.

To learn more about the earthquakes in Chile, check out CNN’s dedicated site to coverage or for first person accounts of life after the quake on The Pulse.