COMMON GOOD

Non-profit corporate philanthropic endeavors for the Common Good

“I don't know what your destiny will be, but one thing I do know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve.”   —Albert Schweitzer, Philosopher

A Non-Profit Prophecy

GOOGLE INC., the corporate world’s primary innovator since its inception has done it again. This time with a philanthropic wing that operates “For Profit.” Google.org is using parent company Google’s immense resources to resolve some of the world’s most pressing social issues. Alleviating poverty, preventing the spread of disease, addressing global warming are just a few of Google.org’s initiatives. Google’s goal is to underwrite business ventures that tackle crucial social and environmental problems. Google.org has not filed 501C status to avoid the cumbersome bureaucracy and monetary restrictions that accompany non-profit status. To date one percent of the mother ship’s gigantic revenues are funneled into Google.org’s philanthropic endeavors. Google.org executive director Larry Brilliant encapsulated its focus by stating: “It’s an experiment to have a philanthropically oriented organization that’s part of the P & L (profit and loss) of Google.” Not only experimental for Google, it launches a brand new initiative and role model for publicly traded companies across the globe. For-profit companies that give back one to two percent of their gross revenues not for the tax write-off or publicity, but simply to benefit the world they operate in.

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