Please Google, May I Have Another?
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Written By Reprise Media | October 13, 2005 | Share This
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Earlier in the week it was announced that Google will be handing over nearly $1 billion as part of its philanthropic efforts. The money will go toward solving a number of social ills, including poverty and environmental destrubtion.
The donation marks the kickoff of Google’s latest venture, a charitable organization called Google.org. The following is a statement from the official site.
“Google.org will include the work of the Google Foundation, some of Google’s own projects using Google talent, technology and other resources, as well as partnerships and contributions to for-profit and non-profit entities. While we continue to define the goals, priorities and approach for Google.org, we will focus on several areas including global poverty alleviation, energy and the environment.”
Like everything else they do, Google’s approach to philanthropy differs from the norm. According to this article:
“Google wants to take a more broad-based approach to its charitable work than traditional philanthropy, which has a tendency to focus on not-for-profit activities and big-gift giving to universities or other high-profile institutions…Google officials said Google.org is partly modelled on the Omidyar Network, a new model philanthropy funded by eBay founder Pierre Omidyar. Frustrated by the limits of conventional not-for-profit philanthropy, Omidyar and his wife, Pam, have set up an investment group that tries to make businesses work as a tool for social good.”
During my time at Google I took part in the Google Grants program, which provides free advertising to select non-profits. One of the more unusual (and to be honest, a little distasteful) campaigns I remember working on was one for the Department of Homeland Security.
And before you can ask, no - “orange” was not a keyword.
Topics: Google |