I want to provide housing and donate to those who are in hardship.

Several life events have led me to Real Estate Investments because I know this will allow me to fund and donate to research studies for Children's Cancer in the future.My brain is eager to learn more, and my ears waiting to hear from wholesalers, hard money lenders, contractors, and other motivated investors out there!!  

I would really like to wield the 401k to it's highest potential, but as additional/alternate strategies I can max non-Roth IRAs and do charitable donations.

Contractors will donate overages or "client changed their mind" stuff and you can get higher end materials for cheap.Looks like there is one in your area http://www.rochesterhabitat.org/ReStore.aspx. 

I work during the day, but would be committed to donating any of my free time to learn the trade.

Personally, I'm of the opinion that I can be more valuable in donating my time than my money.

Donate your time and volunteer for your birthday.Oktoberfest in New Ulm.Timberwolves pre-season game.

When we found boxes of bullets in a house we bought, we donated them to the local police department for their target practice.

I purchased a vacant lot in a distressed area in Pittsburgh, I got paid to buy it and if I can't sell it this year I will donate it to either the township a church or a local organization I know.

That's the same question I've been asking myself the last year :p Still super fun though.I recommend: save 10%, donate 10% to charity, and spend 80% of the money on the things you and your brother truly enjoy or have always wanted to do.