Can you imagine people's generosity? The same WSJ mentioned the balance of all doner-advised charitable funds has grown from $12.7 billion inb 2004 to $15.5 billion in 2005. It is a no-brainer that by giving easier access to these funds, it is a win-win scenario for everybody involved.

The Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund is making it easier for charity-minded investors to use a donor-advised fund by lowering its initial contribution minimum to $5,000.

While its major competitors haven't announced similar cuts, the lower threshold, announced last week, could increase participation in such funds and create a ripple effect in the industry.

Donor-advised funds typically make charitable donations as directed by the people who establish them. Donors receive a tax deduction for the gift when they contribute to the fund but can recommend at a later time how the money should be donated. The funds also allow donors to contribute appreciated stock without incurring a capital-gains tax.

Until now, donors generally have had to make an initial donation of $10,000 to $25,000 in cash, stock or other assets. By reducing the initial contribution threshold, Fidelity -- which has the largest donor-advised fund program in the country, with $3.6 billion in assets -- hopes to attract more donors, especially younger ones.

Stacy Palmer, editor of the Chronicle of Philanthropy, predicts other large donor-advised funds will lower their thresholds, especially if Fidelity gets a good response.