The Ripple Effect site, created for Washington State University's Ripple Effect program, gives visitors an alternative to "giving money." Designed by Hornall Anderson, the site uses just the perfect amount of Flash for bit of delight, then gets quickly to the goods. Here's the pitch:

The site invites visitors to "purchase" tangible gifts such as a goat, a water well, or even a seed kit, for people in under-developed areas and provides interesting facts on how each donation will make a real difference to families, communities and the broader population.

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It's simple. Let's say you purchase a crop seeds kit for $32. The benefits of that $32 are multiplied threefold. The crops provide a family with needed nutrition, income that improves access to education and health care, and the security that comes from diversified farming.

The "How it works" piece in the learn section, but you can get started right at the homepage.