A good friend of mine has a startup called SmallAct whose goal is to provide software that lets non-profits better engage with their donors through social media

A good friend of mine has a startup called SmallAct whose goal is to provide software that lets non-profits better engage with their donors through social media. It is a nice cross between the types of projects traditionally attacked by your typical silicon valley startup (they're based in DC however,) but instead of using that type of technology to support rampant consumerism or sharing cat pictures it's instead focused upon indirectly helping the global problems you mention. www.smallact.com Also, I work for Etsy, which is providing a way for people to become more self-reliant and giving consumers a way to form a more human connection with the people they purchase goods from. We're in NYC. www.etsy.com