Petra Nemcova, 11/30/11

Founder and Chair, Happy Hearts Fund

I'm happy to announce that in 2012, Happy Hearts Fund will build at least 10 schools and help thousands of children affected by natural disasters.

Sheryl Lee Ralph, 11/30/11

Original Dreamgirl

Thirty years ago on Broadway, AIDS was killing my friends in silence and shame. Thirty years later AIDS is still killing people around the world in silence and shame with stigma still holding them hostage.

David Ernesto Munar, 11/30/11

President and CEO, AIDS Foundation of Chicago

It's time to retire another worn-out dichotomy: the global v. domestic response to AIDS. We need a unified commitment and a detailed plan for fighting the epidemic at home and abroad.

Princess Haya Al Hussein, 11/29/11

UN Messenger of Peace

If in the last few years you got out your checkbook or credit card and donated to help rebuild Haiti, rescue Pakistanis from floods or fund a school in Tanzania, your contribution did not make its way into global aid figures.

Amy Neumann, 11/29/11

Writer, speaker and social media consultant for nonprofits and businesses

The magic of Twitter lies in just that -- the ability to connect with like-minded people in big and small ways, all over the world. And someone who knows all about that is Twitter's own Claire Diaz Ortiz.

Vivian Glyck, 11/29/11

Founder and executive director of Just Like My Child

I would rather give the Ugandan women goats. I would rather give them a business that they can grow and sell in their own backyards. This way, they can depend on their own destiny and their own business prowess.

Paul Robinson, 11/29/11

Prevention & education specialist, Between Friends

If we want our young people to have successful relationships, we need to talk to them about it. After all, you can't expect someone to succeed in a subject they've never been taught.

Waymon Hudson, 11/29/11

LGBT rights activist

I recently had the chance to talk with Kaya Jones and Traver Rains about their role in a local fundraising event, as well as the importance of using their public platform to talk about issues that matter to them.

Maxim Thorne, 11/29/11

Senior Executive, Lawyer, Motivational Speaker, Professor, Philanthropist and Consultant

Although I appreciate all the good philanthropy does, I wish to alter the way supersized philanthropy operates in America as part of my commitment to keep America true to our founding freedoms.

Laura Arrillaga-Andreessen, 11/29/11

Founder of Stanford Center on Philanthropy and Civil Society; Founder of SV2; Author of "Giving 2.0."

When it comes to giving, we can draw inspiring lessons from today's youth. The volunteer rate among sixteen- to nineteen-year-olds, in terms of hours given, has almost doubled since 1989, according to the Corporation for National and Community Service.

Wendy Gordon, 11/29/11

Green consumer movement leader

My plan this year for Black Friday was to sit out the retail game altogether. That was before I saw the ad in The New York Times. "Don't Buy This Jacket," exhorted the full-page message sponsored by the Patagonia Common Threads Initiative.

Kathy Eldon, 11/29/11

Founder and President, Creative Visions Foundation

The glamorous city of 13,000 is now leading the way in stopping toxic stormwater and chemical-laden urban runoff from destroying its glamorous coastline.

Diana Mao, 11/29/11

Co-founder, Nomi Network

New York City is the epicenter of ideas that create wealth and social change. The Wechsler's are hoping to create an environment where this exchange can take place.

Anthony Papa, 11/28/11

Manager, Media Relations, Drug Policy Alliance

This holiday season there will be tens of thousands that will be hungry. Maybe with the help of concerned New Yorkers the problem can be alleviated.

Elissa Kravetz, 11/28/11

Anti-bullying advocate

I used to work 20 hour days, every day, yell at my staff, make my partners crazy, and the truth is none of it really matters. I've been seeking a greater truth and going from Barneys to Soho House just wasn't doing it.

Nicole Skibola, 11/26/11

Social Innovation Strategist

Every day, 3 billion people in developing countries are exposed to toxic smoke when preparing meals. Cooking on traditional stoves and open fires causes almost 2 million deaths per year, mainly affecting women and young children.

Samantha Nutt, MD, 11/26/11

Founder/Executive Director, War Child Canada

It's hard to see the logic in Obama's decision to reduce its aid budget. Even Bush -- and it is painful to eat these words as I write them -- was more of an aid enthusiast. And this is to say nothing of Canada, which has opted to freeze aid levels for the next five years.