Like many in today’s social media dictionary, the term “podcast” can be a confusing, even intimidating word. Many ask, what is a podcast? I know what you think, it sounds like something an alien space ship might do, but believe me, its not. To clear the air, a podcast is Web 2.0’s alternative to radio, just as YouTube acts as an alternative to TV or movies. And like all Web 2.0 applications, podcasts are democratizing media, giving broadcasting power to the people, or in our case, to non-profits everywhere.

A couple of months ago, we reported that Paul Buchheit, co-founder of FriendFeed and, before that, the engineer behind Google Mail, had inspired a discussion around the best use of $20k for the common good. Looks like that conversation has lead to something more concrete. Paul calls it collaborative charity.

"The only thing that separates us from the animals is our ability to accessorize." This quote from Olympia Dukakis' character in the movie Steel Magnolias motivates me every time I try to assemble the same old clothes into a fresh look. But, what if you turn accesorizing into something more than just keeping your closet au courant, such as improving educational opportunities for children in India? That would really bring new meaning to this quote.

News from the Case Foundation and what people are talking about this week in the world of giving, tech and everything in between.

One of the most common questions I hear from people I meet who know about our work at the Case Foundation is, "why did you and Steve create the Foundation, and why have you chosen to make this your life's work?" The answer I quickly offer is that we have a faith and a belief that to whom much is given, much is expected. But it turns out that is only the quick, polite answer I use in passing. And it is only part of the story. The real answer is much deeper and layered and goes to the heart of who and what inspired us and modeled a life of giving back.

It seems we’ve been at the service crossroads many times over. Whether it’s a national tragedy like September 11, a natural disaster such as Hurricane Katrina or the less defined but widespread devastation the economy is currently having on our nation – as a country, we find a way to rally.

We're excited to share with you today the America's Giving Challenge Assessment and Reflection Report, authored by Beth Kanter and Allison Fine. When the Case Foundation team launched our first online Giving Challenge in December of 2007, to test a new way of giving online, I’ll be the first to admit we didn’t know what to expect with our online “experiment.” It was late in the year. The holiday season was in full swing. We didn’t have much lead time for traditional marketing. And at the time, an online philanthropic competition of this nature was relatively unprecedented.

Guest blogger Jamie Carayiannis is an intern with the Case Foundation.

It’s that time of year again, Father’s Day! If your dad is anything like mine, and insists that he doesn’t need or want anything, then you know how difficult finding a gift for this occasion can be. Rather than wandering the mall aimlessly and giving dad something he will likely return, why not give him a gift that gives back?

Guest blogger Jamie Carayiannis is a rising senior at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA and an intern with the Case Foundation.

Having previously served as CEO of the American Heart Association (AHA) for more than decade, Cass Wheeler has, needless to say, plenty of experience leading a successful nonprofit organization. In his new book, You’ve Gotta Have Heart, Wheeler writes of his experiences at the AHA and gives advice on how to “survive and thrive” in the non-profit sector.

The other day I was walking through the halls of our office when I encountered a HUGE electronic version of my coworker’s head, expanded across one of our 60” conference TVs. Confused and scared by what appeared to be a futuristic titan reincarnate of a Case Foundation employee, I soon was informed that it was merely a company video conference, courtesy of online peer-to-peer communications platform, Skype.