There is power in numbers. There is power in collective giving. Think about getting together with friends and family to give to a project or program. Form partnerships, giving circles, tzedakah groups. Money is a powerful tool to leverage change.
Money is needed at every stage of a project.
And it is often the early money that is most helpful in the life of a project. It enables the project to begin. And early money attracts later money. So think about giving early on. Yes, it is risky sometimes.