In 2009, David Allman wasn't one to let even a worldwide economic downturn get in the way of his support for Opportunity International. David, a prominent real estate developer in Atlanta, is Chair of Opportunity International, Nicaragua. He and his wife Donna are also highly involved in the Ambassadors Council. Like many others, he felt the effects when the financial markets fell, and cash became a precious commodity. "My passion for what Opportunity is doing in Nicaragua hadn't changed a bit," David explains, "but the changing economy forced me to look beyond my traditional resources for charitable giving."

He is part of an emerging trend of charitable donors who donate illiquid assets instead of appreciated securities, which can be in short supply. Illiquid assets can include underutilized vacation property, valuable cars or boats, jewelry, artwork or collectibles, life insurance policies, business interest, and other valuable assets. They can be donated, deducted by the donor for tax purposes, and sold by Opportunity for immediate impact in the developing world. For David, the illiquid asset was a beautiful piece of investment real estate at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains in northern Georgia. He donated the property to Opportunity so they could sell it and utilize the cash proceeds to help many more entrepreneurs in Nicaragua.