I am setting out to reclaim the word 'philanthropy'. Rather than a patriarchal helping of the poor, I believe that philanthropy can actually challenge the very power structures of our society. Giving, whether money, time or attention, is a gesture of love and solidarity, making sense of the dictionary definition of philanthropy: 'a love of humanity'. We are used to giving presents to family and friends at Christmas; let's take this opportunity to look further, at what giving money can be.

Ever since I inherited some of my father's estate at the age of eighteen, I have seen money primarily as a form of energy to be released or expressed, rather than as an asset to be protected. I believe that whether you have inherited a fortune or are simply earning a little more than you need for yourself and your family, regarding money in this way as a source of great joy. From this perspective, giving money can be extremely satisfying. It becomes about stewarding what you have, steering it into the best possible use.

Finding, evaluating and then funding grassroots projects has introduced me to some of the most stimulating people I know - both fellow givers and those on the front line doing the work. It has educated me about inspiring, hopeful initiatives that rarely make it onto our newspapers. Helping to make these initiatives possible gives a profound sense of meaning to my life.

To introduce other people to this source of fulfillment, a group of four experienced givers have set up The Funding Network. We bring people together to experiment with giving seem less intimidating, and gives attendees the opportunity to meet small, cutting-edge charities they might never have come across. Talking with other potential and experienced givers can also help people learn how to give in a way that really makes a difference. Equally important, by giving through a structure such as The Funding Network, you can give without revealing your contact details to a charity, if you prefer it that way.

You might think that to be a philanthropist, even in a small way, you have to be rich. I suggest it's more about a sense of having a little to space, more than enough to meet the basic needs of yourself and your direct dependants. How much this is will depend on your personal sense of security - one participant in a recent project by the Institute for Public Policy Research said, "£50 million is the point at which you don't have to panic any more." I think we can assume that, for Resurgence readers, a sense of material security exists well below that threshold! People certainly come to The Funding Network with a range of capacities to give, from people on decent salaries to people with their own charitable trusts. To become a member you need to commit to giving at least £1,000 a year, which is less than £3 a day.

The reason I promote active philanthropy and give mainly to small charities is because there is more human contact. It would be easier to write off a cheque to a nationally known charity, perhaps in response to a newspaper appeal. The big budget charities and relief agencies do crucial work. I suggest however that I f you're looking for the experience of loving humanity that philanthropy offers, it's worth taking some time to find out exactly what moves you, what change you would like to see in the world, and who is out there taking the best steps to achieve. The Funding Network gives people an opportunity to do that by providing a personal introduction to small charities working in a variety of fields.

THE FUNDING NETWORK has a threefold aim. Firstly, to act as a marketplace where individuals can bring projects that work towards a fairer, healthier and more sustainable world. Anyone who is a member can put forward a project to the selection committee, for possible presentation at a Funding Day. Secondly, to provide a mutually respectful setting where those who might like to join with others in funding such projects get to meet and hear those doing the work. Thirdly, to promote a paradigm of social change giving: that those who have much can usefully share their wealth in creative and proactive ways, and that the process of giving can be enriching to the giver as well as to the receiver.

We have so far held two Funding Days, which were a great success, in bright and airy rooms at the Royal Institute of British Architects in central London. Potential individual donors - we started with friends of friends, and are gradually broadening out through press coverage and introductory presentation - are invited to attend, with no obligation to give, or to become a member. In the morning of a Funding Day, five social change organizations present their own work. In the afternoon, five members present on behalf of a project they know and respect. Members and project presenters have a generous lunchtime during which to mingle and get to know one another, before a ground-breaking open pledging session in the afternoon. In fact what made me happiest at our first two Funding Days was the delight on people's faces during the pledging session as they realized that their personal pledges (which ranged between £100 and £1,000), when combined with those of others present, were adding up to an amount that would really make a difference.

Members on a project committee select projects for the ten available slots on a Funding Day from those suggested by members. The only criterion for presenting at The Funding Network is that an organization is working for social change. Examples so far include Cardboard Citizens, the UK's only homeless people's professional theatre company; Envision, stimulating environmental projects in London schools; and a women's micro-credit scheme in Zambia. The twenty organizations that have so far presented at The Funding Network have each raised between £4,000 and £8,500.

Giving is thrilling. At the end of the last Funding Day, people were shining. In the evaluation session people said they had felt part of something heart-warming and exciting. Over three quarters of participants at our first event indicated they wanted to join the network. One participant even told me he felt so proud that he wanted to walk around town wearing a T-shirt saying 'philanthropist'! As he said, he felt so much better than if he's spend the same time and money shopping in Bond Street.

The Funding Network is only one way to give. Whichever way you choose, you are likely to find out more about who you are and what you believe in, and discover a deeper love of humanity.

Polly McLean is a founding director of The Funding Network and founder of the Build Trust UK which supports the personal and social development of disadvantaged young people.