Tom Hsieh has taken a unique approach to fighting poverty in his hometown of Los Angeles.

Mr. Hsieh, who owns a telecommunications company, has committed to supporting his family on the U.S. median household income.

In 2008, his family lived on about $38,000 although he earned more than $200,000. He donated the balance of his after-tax income donated to antipoverty groups in Los Angeles.

What motivates Mr. Hsieh’s giving? How does he decide what causes and organizations to support? What lessons can other donors learn from him? And what should fund raisers and other charity officials understand as they seek to encourage more people to give in this difficult economic time?

Fund raisers will have a chance to get answers to these and other questions when Mr. Hsieh and a fellow philanthropist, Anne Ellinger, participate in a special online discussion on Thursday, December 3, at noon Eastern time. The discussion is part of a series of conversations with donors hosted by The Chronicle and Bolder Giving, an organization that works to encourage philanthropists to give more generously.

The conversation will take place here.

You are also invited to read the transcripts of our previous discussions with the philanthropists Karen Ansara and Mike Schaefer.