In tough economic times, we're all trying to find ways to make our dollars go further. Today we can do it, and hundreds of worthy arts, community and charitable organizations stand to benefit.

The Pittsburgh Foundation will kick off its new Internet initiative this morning with a powerful incentive for donors -- the foundation will provide a matching contribution of 50 cents for every dollar given, from a minimum of $50 up to a maximum of $2,500 per individual or company.

The foundation is putting up $300,000 from its unrestricted grants to provide the match for contributions made to any of the 360 organizations listed on the Web site. An additional $100,000 is available to match contributions to the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. Individual philanthropists approached the foundation with the idea -- and the money -- to stimulate giving to the library system because it is facing a deficit and has announced plans to close four of its branches and merge two others.

Match Day starts at 10 this morning and runs until noon tomorrow unless the matching funds are exhausted before then. Only contributions made through the Web site www.pittsburghgives.org are eligible for the match, and all qualifying organizations are listed on the site. For contributors who don't have computer access or need help in making a donation online, staff members from the foundation will offer assistance at a computer station in the PPG Wintergarden in PPG Place, Downtown.

Make your contribution count for more. Make it today.

Cartoonist Rob Rogers does "Rob's Rough," an early look at his work and his creative process, exclusively at PG+, a members-only web site of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Our introduction to PG+ gives you all the details.