'Giving 2.0' was born of my desire to redefine and democratize philanthropy.

Shouldn't you put the same amount of effort into your giving as you might for your for-profit investments? After all, philanthropy is an investment, and one in which lives - not profits - are at stake.

Being innovative in your philanthropy allows you to stride forward in your giving journey; you can marry your mind and heart to turn charity into lasting impact; and you can become more ambitious in your giving.

When I started teaching at Stanford Graduate School of Business in 2000, no field-based courses in strategic philanthropy existed.

Giving is an expression of gratitude for our blessings.

'Giving 2.0' is about making your giving matter more to the people we all hope to help, and it's about making your giving matter more to you.