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The Philanthropic Arm of Google
GoatJuggler writes "I accidentally visited google.org recently and ended up at a different Google site that appears to be a placeholder for Google's future foray into the world of philanthropy. A quote from Sergey Brin & Larry Page is there now, 'We hope that someday this institution will eclipse Google itself in overall world impact by ambitiously applying innovation and significant resources to the largest of the world's problems.' Not much to see there now, but it's certainly refreshing to see a successful company leveraging their success to do good. Googling part of that quote led me to a blog that references the uniqueness of Google's SEC filing. The Google Foundation is referenced, and Google's job page now mentions that they are looking to fill the position of Executive Director for the Google Foundation. So, expect Good Things(TM) (like saving 3-legged kittens) from Google soon."
Done!
So what's the next task?
Well, here in Seattle, a number of researchers are being paid by the Gates' Foundation to conduct applied research into malaria infection.
Given that malaria is one of the biggest third-world killers, and that very few drug companies are willing to invest research money into drugs for poor people, I think the Gates' are actually doing some good work in this area.
I suppose you could tie that to an "agenda," but you'd have to be awfully cynical.
Let's try not to let fact interfere with our speculation here, OK?
I am an accountant, and I can confirm that what you say is correct.
There are some companies that donate their entire profits to charity. They are mostly trading subsidiaries of the charity in question, and they pay their profits to the charity as a donation rather than as dividends so that they don't have to pay any tax on their profits.