How a major corporation is using its financial might to do good and sticking to its motto: Don’t Be Evil!

• The founders of Google have started a philanthropic foundation, Google.org, with $1 billion start-up money and a mission to address poverty, disease, and global warming.
• Unlike most philanthropies, this is a for-profit company, which can fund start-ups, partner with venture capitalists, and lobby Congress.
• Its founders believe the for-profit choice will augment the abilities of the foundation.

Facts & Figures

• Google allotted $1 billion to fund Google.org’s start-up. $175 million will be disbursed within the first 2 years.
• Google began its big philanthropic venture only 6 years into the company’s lifetime. Microsoft was 25 years old when Bill Gates set up his foundation.

Best Quote

“I think how you count profit is the issue here. Google.org is measuring return on cleaner air and quality of life. Their bottom line isn’t just financial. It’s environmental and social.” – Peter Hero, President of the Community Foundation of Silicon Valley