Philanthropic social networks are not new to us, but philanthropic social networks that specifically focus on fundraising are and Change.org is one that is making quite a name for itself by giving users the chance to pitch in and change the world.

The site acts as a one-stop shop for the latest news on over 1,000,000 charitable causes and provides its 120,000 members with tools for taking action and staying informed with a daily news blog, links to news, events and stories and an up to date tally of funds raised, members and actions taken for each cause.

The site makes it easy for charities and non-profits to partake by giving them the option to let Change.org manage their profiles. They can also register for a free administrator account, which enables them to update profile information, track donations and post fundraising projects and events on its own. It provides them with the ability to communicate directly with their networks of supporters on Change.org as well.

“Change.org allows us to reach out to audiences that we normally wouldn’t reach,” says Lindsay Sparks of nonprofit World Neighbors in Newsweek. “People are learning more and more that they can give smaller gifts. They don’t have to give $100; they can give $5 and make an impact.”

The site unites its members with Facebook-like profiles of its users. Each one has a comment wall, video posting space, the causes and actions the group supports, their fundraising pages and private messaging.

“The surging interest in social causes and civic participation we see across the country has the potential to transform the way we address social problems, but too often there is a disconnect between that interest and outlets for action,” said Change.org founder Ben Rattray in Christian blog ChurchCrunch. “The Internet offers the unique potential for bridging this gap, and I think one of its biggest achievements will be to serve as a platform for empowering broad-based social change.”

The inspiration Change.org provides through its blogs and its users and the simple navigation of the site leaves any user of the World Wide Web with no excuse not to participate and make a change of their own.