Voting is in Effect! Which NGOs Get Chase Bank's Millions?

On Friday, Chase Bank asked the public to help them decide how to give away $5 million to charities via the "Chase Community Giving" Facebook application. Facebookers voted to narrow down the initial 500,000 nonprofits to a Top 100, each of whom will receive $25,000.

Now that the field has been narrowed down, the good part can really begin. Now, you can vote to help Chase decide which of the Top 100 will be the big winner and take home $1 million and which five runners-up will get $100,000 each.

The top charities hail from all over the country and are active in a wide range of service areas. From Chinatown Youth Initiatives in New York City to the National Autism Association in Nixa, Mont., to Kiva Microfunds in San Francisco, all of the competitors are serving real needs. Winnings will go toward improving and expanding their programs.

"Every penny we receive is being pumped back into direct service events that benefit the homeless in San Francisco," said Jared Paul, founder of A Good Idea, a San Francisco-based good-works organization that nabbed a spot in the Top 100. He means what he says; Paul receives no salary and directs a staff of unpaid volunteers.

So go vote! Your little click could make a big difference.

Photo courtesy of stock.xchng