Yesterday, Google.org announced the five core activies that they will pursue for the next five to ten years. All are intimately connected to technology. The dollar amounts announced today are small when compared with those the Gates Foundation throws around – only $25 million in new grants and $175 million over 3 years – but that isn't a fair comparison. Google sets as its goal to donate 1% of their total equity and 1% of annual profits to philanthropic purposes.
The five core activities are:
1. Technology to predict and prevent crises such as epidemics
2. Information sharing and analysis in public services
3. Small and medium enterprise investments
4. Cheap renewable energy
5. Commercialization of Plug-In vehicles