Say what you want about Microsoft (and I’ve long been a Microsoft apologist, anti-trust suits notwithstanding), what Bill and Melinda Gates are doing with their fortune is nothing short of astonishing. Challenged by Warren Buffett to be a good steward of their financial resources, they have pledged $60 billion in charitable donations to help battle global issues like HIV/AIDS and malaria as well as investing non-health issues such as improving education.
While 99.999 percent of us will never be billionaires (or even millionaires, for that matter) I think individuals like the Bill Gates and Warren Buffett should be commended for doing what they can to help make the world a better place. How much better could it be if all of us—regardless of how many zeros we have in our bank accounts—gave with such a generous spirit? What an amazing thought.
UPDATE: Add another name to the list. Mark Zuckerberg to Donate Most of His Wealth to Charity.
UPDATE 2: Learning as you go is incredibly valuable, too: “Five Years In, Gauging Impact of Gates Grants“.
