Tuesday, June 27, 2006

Philanthropic Blues

The other day, Warren Buffet announced his handing over about 31 billion dollars to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The second richest man in the world, handing over the bulk of his fortune (to the number one richest) in exchange for the new title of most generous philanthropist ever. This is great news for world health and technology education which are the missions of the BMG. This makes the BMG Foundation now the largest private foundation in the world - five times larger than the second largest, the Ford Foundation which is another human centered charity.

Don't get me wrong, I love people and I'm stoked for humanity... but I'm wondering if some of that couldn't have gone toward the non-human slice of life on the planet - just a little?

And I've been listening to what these folks have been saying in the news. Much of it is their airing their concerns about "making an impact." My question is, if the BMG Foundation is concerned about making an impact with over $60 billion in assets, what hope does a guy like me have? It's really quite disheartening.

I may just give up.