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Young people often aren't in a position to write checks to charities. But there are two things they can do that are invaluable. One is volunteering, especially mentoring other young people with reading, math or help thinking about college. Through iMentor, one can even mentor people online.

You have to feel more involved than just writing out a cheque. Charity is almost the wrong word - I think people are beginning to feel more responsible for the world.

Charity is important; so is being fair and honest and honorable in your business - but you cannot mix the two.

Philanthropy is not about giving money but about solving problems. While well-meaning, the idea of writing a check and calling it 'philanthropy' is extremely short-sighted and unfortunately, extremely pervasive.

When you're rich you don't write checks.

Charity is injurious unless it helps the recipient to become independent of it.

Charities are really good. To a certain extent, the ones you pick are arbitrary.

People are savvy enough to know that simply a threat of litigation is tantamount to a nice, hefty check.

When it comes to charities, there's a lot of fraud.

Charity is just writing checks and not being engaged. Philanthropy, to me, is being engaged, not only with your resources but getting people and yourself really involved and doing things that haven't been done before.