In down time, between paying the bills and making the money to pay the bills, I imagine that I have a secret stash. I enjoy making a list of how I would give philanthropically.

Of course, I would do it all on the down low - very mysteriously. No one would know where that fridge for the neighbor family came from, or who contributed to the little one's medical bills. Sneaky. That's my style.

What kind of philanthropy describes your particular style of giving?

1. The "someone's gotta do it" guy

If it needs to happen, it might as well be you to do it. You are community minded. You are the volunteer. When there is a sign-up sheet passed around, you make sure your name and number are on it. Philanthropy is Greek for love of humanity. You are all over that and more. You even got your dog at the local shelter, and you almost got a bunny on your way out.

2. Serving quietly is your style

You share a love for humanity as well, but getting your photo in the paper is not for you. You don't sign the check but get a money order for anonymity. You ask that your name be left off the donor list. You quickly place your hazard lights on and put your car in park while you help push the guy's car who is out of gas to the curb or through the intersection - and then you are off. Who was that guy?

3. You are the giver who sees the many benefits all around from doing a good deed daily;

tax exemptions, business word-to-mouth, good PR, increased employee involvement and ownership. Service is simply a better business practice that serves everyone and affects the bottom line.

4. Is there a wrong doing in Sacramento, Tampa or Cleveland?

You are right there at the state capital with your expertly written picket sign. You have a box of little paper hand guards for dripping wax from the last candlelight vigil. Your phone number is freely given so that, at the drop of a good cause, you are there with the posse in tow. You are passionate about your causes - and you have several.

5. You get physically involved, and you have the tee shirt to prove it

In fact, you have about twelve of them, and you have walked, ran, biked and car washed. And then you go home and take cookie orders online. If anyone looks bored, you are right there with a website that will do them well. You are planning a money drive for next month because one of the two children you sponsor in Africa needs braces.

6. Your grandpa David started a charitable foundation in the early 50's, and every family member has done time getting pledges and answering phones.

Philanthropy is your family tradition

You take your kids to the soup kitchen that has a table named for uncle Harmon. You fall to sleep wondering what kind of foundation you could start. You have a tradition of giving.

7. You think you are not going to heaven, and so you need all the points you can muster

You remember your neighbor who came over to help your poor mother get her battery jumped who brought jumper cables and three loaves of banana bread and a jar of honey. You are a do-unto-others person, and you take joy in repaying good deeds done. And then you pay it forward.

8. You see something on TV or hear something on a radio about someone who did something for someone else, and you say to yourself,

"that should be me"

You get excited and decide to spend time discovering what your dream cause could be. Then you do the laundry and forget all about it.

Which kind are you?