As we approach 2010, nonprofit blog writers are taking a look back at the previous decade and asking: What were the biggest moment for the nonprofit world?

Gene Takagi and Emily Chan, a nonprofit lawyer and a law student respectively, created a list on their blog of the top 10 nonprofit events of the last 10 years. They include the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, Warren Buffett’s decision to pledge his fortune to several foundations, Hurricane Katrina, and the Senate Finance Committee’s investigations of charity work.

On Change.org, Nathaniel Whittemore, the founder of Assetmap, lists the key developments in social entrepreneurship, including the creation of the White House Office of Social Innovation, the creation of the iPhone, and the successful public offering of eBay, which generated billions for businessmen-turned-donors Pierre Omidyar and Jeff Skoll.

Other major events left an indelible mark of the nonprofit world.

• The South Asian tsunamis in 2004 triggered one of the largest outpourings of generosity for a disaster overseas, with more than $3-billion donated to relief and recovery efforts by individuals, corporations, and foundations in the United States.

• Former President George W. Bush created the Office of Faith-based and Community Initiatives in 2001, which raised the profile of religious groups fighting poverty.

• The California legislature debated in 2008 a proposal whether to require wealthy foundations in the state to disclose the composition of their boards and employees by race, gender, and sexual orientation, as well as information about the grants and business contracts they award to organizations that help specific minority groups. The proposal, which was ultimately rejected, spurred a nationwide debate about the role of Hispanics and other minorities in philanthropy.

• This year fans of Twitter helped generate more than $250,000 for charity in a 24-hour-period as part of the “Twestival.” The event helped show that social media could be an important fund-raising tool.

• Former President Bill Clinton in 2005 created the Clinton Global Initiative, an annual philanthropy conference with corporate CEOs, world leaders, and celebrities that increased the media spotlight on global charity ventures.

What do you think? What are the most important moments for philanthropy during the past 10 years? Click on the comment button to share your moments.