Need some inspiration? All kinds of people are leading the way with money in all kinds of ways, in all kinds of places. Here's a sampling to get your own creative juices flowing. How else can you lead with money?

Joan Blades and Wes Boyd
Co-founders of MoveOn
www.moveon.org
Lead by: using technology for change
These Silicon Valley entrepreneurs formed MoveOn as a catalyst for a new kind of grassroots involvement in the political process. MoveOn's goal: to bring ordinary people back into politics. Its method: a nationwide, Internetbased network of citizens finding their political voice. MoveOn builds electronic advocacy groups around issues chosen by members and provides information and tools to help each individual have maximum impact. Among its successes: showing that political campaigns can be jump-started through grassroots, electronic fundraising.

Freda Rebelsky
Retired professor
Leads by: lending small amounts to young people
While teaching at Boston University, Freda set up a revolving loan fund that pumped thousands of dollars into the dreams and desires, and sometimes desperate needs, of her students.

Adonal Foyle
Founder of Democracy Matters and player for the NBA's Golden State Warriors
www.democracymatters.org
Leads by: leveraging his wealth and celebrity status to develop young leaders
Originally from the Caribbean, Adonal founded Democracy Matters to get young people involved in democracy. He says, "The fact is that what professional athletes do is closely observed by society at large. I believe that we have a moral responsibility to bring awareness of injustice to the public and to help correct it." He focuses on including young voices in the debate about campaign financing.

Wendy Kopp
Founder of Teach For America
www.teachforamerica.org
Leads by: demonstrating that intelligence and academic ability are not related to money When Wendy learned that, statistically, students from low-income communities are three grade levels behind those from wealthy communities and seven times less likely to go to college, she decided to do something about it. Starting with a corporate grant, she founded Teach For America, which recruits top college graduates to teach for two years in underserved areas. The basic idea: that future leaders who experience the challenges and possibilities of educating all America's children will become life-long advocates for education. Her goal: to create a society where educational opportunities are equal, irrespective of wealth. "Why haven't we, as a nation, committed to this goal?" Wendy asks. "The only answer that I can come up with is: Maybe we don't believe it is possible."

Valerie Jacobs
Founder of Family Philanthropy
Resource and board member of the Jacobs Family Foundation
www.jacobscenter.org
Leads by: being with, not just giving to
Valerie takes a hands-on approach to leadership and grant-making, living and working alongside the people her family foundation supports. The Jacobs Center for NonProfit Innovation has put money in The Diamond, a network of underinvested neighborhoods in San Diego. For Valerie, becoming a community partner included becoming a neighbor -she now lives in The Diamond.

Andrew Wolk
Founder of Root Cause Institute and Social Innovation Forum
www.rootcauseinstitute. org and www.socialinnovationforum. org
Leads by: promoting entrepreneurial leadership to effect social change
When Andrew sold his business in 1997, he used the proceeds to promote the principles behind his own entrepreneurial approach to social change. He founded the Root Cause Institute to help nonprofit leaders attack the root cause of a social issue while building organizations that are efficient, effective, and sustainable.

Sean Patrick O'Malley
Archbishop of Boston
www.rcab.org
Leads by: giving up luxury for a higher good
One of the Archbishop's first acts in his new role was putting the opulent Archbishop's residence up for sale to help fund victims' compensation for sexual abuse by priests. Not an unexpected action from a Franciscan who has taken a vow of poverty, yet a major step in regaining the trust of victims. The result: a demonstration of the power of aligning money with values.

Jenny Ladd
Co-Director of Class Action
www.classactionnet. org
Leads by: bridging the gaps among socioeconomic classes
Born into a family with an inherited fortune, Jenny skillfully engages people from all economic groups in cross-class dialogue, allowing new understandings, relationships, and communities to emerge.

Pam Pompey
Director of Grassroots Fundraising for Grassroots Leadership
www.grassrootsleadership.org
Leads by: changing the face of philanthropy Pam inspires African Americans of all economic classes to develop their skills as philanthropists and fundraisers. Her focus is on helping African Americans become advocates for, and financial contributors to, the black community and to gain positions of leadership on governing boards.

Judy Wicks
Founder and President of the White Dog Café
www.whitedogcafe. com
Leads by: using her business to benefit the community
Judy's recipe for feeding the soul as well as the body created an eatery that's also a community center. The food comes from local farmers, and the menu includes visits from provocative speakers and social activists. This combo platter turns a tasty profit to boot.

Tim Gill
Founder of The Gill Foundation and OutGiving
www.gillfoundation.org
Leads by: pioneering philanthropic action for a pluralistic society
Software entrepreneur Tim Gill created The Gill Foundation to pursue justice and equality and build awareness of the contributions to society of gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgendered individuals. His OutGiving conferences convene major philanthropists to expand that generous spirit.

Angela Jackson
Marketing Manager, Auctionpay, Inc.
nwsoftware.com/mktg/auction_ pay.htm
Leads by: enabling economic integration
Angela and her husband set rents on their properties below market rate for the specific purpose of enabling people who can't otherwise afford them to enjoy the benefits of good neighborhoods and good schools.

Tracy Hewat
Founder of Resource Generation
www.resourcegeneration. org
Leads by: supporting wealthy young people to create social change
As a young inheritor, Tracy put her money and time into creating Resource Generation, which assists wealthy young people to use their resources for social change. After years of steady infrastructure- building, Resource Generation now enables hundreds of young people to act on their vision and conviction.

Steve and Michelle Kirsch
Co-Founders of the Kirsch Foundation
www.kirschfoundation.com
Lead by: encouraging others to give
Steve and Michelle are passionate about the importance of, and satisfaction associated with, giving-and they're not afraid to show it. Besides funding high-impact projects to create a safe and peaceful world, their foundation "encourages individuals, whether wealthy or of modest means, to give more to charity." Their web site offers personal stories, information, and tools for new philanthropists. Says Steve, "Since the best things in life are not all that expensive, what else are you going to do with the money?"