Google's unusual approach to philanthropy

Unlike most charities, Google?s new philanthropy will be for-profit, greatly increasing its range and flexibility.
The New York Times

The story "Google's unusual approach to philanthropy" published September 13, 2006 at 10:05 AM is no longer available on CNET News.

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[bob donut]

This is bad

Didn't they see what happened to healthcare? The point of non-profit philanthropy is that money creates a conflict of interest when trying to do things of value. It's not really philanthropy, either.

I hope they realize they're creating a massive trainwreck before other companies follow suit and destroy they good they think they can do.

Even Bill Gates has stated that there are limits to what capitalism can do. Google has neither the know-how nor the heart for this.

[wsdowns]

An Excellent Example for Us All!

Just as Jean Valjean repays the bishop so does Google repay the world. Not by giving hand-outs, but by creating profitable ventures - giving meaning and dignity to life. Google has a clear and unobstructed view of the future - help people help themselves, create new jobs (not hand-outs), and set an example for everyone.

[David Arbogast]

OH please

Google isn't doing anything special. EVERY business operating for profit is providing wanted or needed goods or services to people to enhance their lives. Google is just starting an incubator program to launch more businesses. The philanthropic spin is just marketing.

In other words, Google now has an automobile engine division, designed to make money for Google. Clever, though... they won't be releasing financials so that we can all see them flounder in the sea of competition of established auto makers.

I am all for business - and I agree that for-profit, in the long run, has more potential for helping people. But there is no philanthropy involved here, and the motivation is PROFIT for Google.

Lets not confuse this with real charity. ANY business owner can claim what Google is claiming.