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FEATURED
PEER-TO-PEER LENDING
Be Your Own Bank
Looking for a better return than a bank CD while making a direct connection to the borrower? Like the idea of funding solar panels while earning more than 13 percent for the loan? Check out peer-to-peer (P2P) lending sites such As Prosper.com or LendingClub.com.
P2P lending is the result of e-Bay–like online tools that connect individual borrowers to individual lenders. It cuts out the middleman and gives anyone a chance to access credit and capital from those with disposable funds. For example, a recent Minnesota-based Prosper.com borrower was looking to expand his organic food delivery service. While most borrowers repay their loans, be prepared to lose some or even all of what you invest; most experienced P2P lenders lend only small amounts to any given borrower. If you want to support borrowers in undeveloped countries, consider MicroPlace.com, which connects you to low-income borrowers around the world.
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According to BusinessWeek, the three most generous Donors to environmental Causes were Intel Founders George and Betty Moore, investor Robert Wilson, and media mogul Ted Turner.
