Creative Capital: Kickstart Good Ideas with $$

screenshot of kickstarter.com

Kickstarter.com combines two simple ideas for a fantastic website: 1) Creative projects need exposure for funding, and 2) We like getting something in return for giving our money away. So "creative and ambitious" projects with a specific funding goal -- say $5,000 -- pitch their project to you, and tell you what you'll get in return for different levels of funding. The fun, creative, and entrepreneurial feeling of the site makes you want to jump in and support your local artist, organization, inventor, researcher, or ethical butcher (he's cool!). But you can only donate to your favorite project for a limited time, and it's all or nothing -- if they don't meet their funding goal, all of the pledges are canceled and it's back to square one. Kinda like Kiva for art and innovation.... Go to their site to check it out!