How would you spend $20,000 for the common good?

Photo by slimmer_jimmer

This question, by Friendfeed co-founder Paul Buchheit, solicited more than 270 replies on a Friendfeed discussion thread over the weekend:

Assume that I’m going to get rid of $20,000 and my only concern is the “common good”. Which of these is the best use of the money: give it to the Gates foundation, buy a hybrid car, invest it in a promising startup, invest it in the S&P500, give it to the US government, give it to a school, other?

 A quick Google spreadsheet analysis of the posts shows a number of interesting trends. To turn this into discussable numbers, I’ve scored the results as if they were Formula One Racing.

• Funding a startup was the most popular top-ranking answer on the list. It also garnered lots of discussion, as folks debated job creation’s value to the common good. If this was Formula One, startups win with 288 points.
• Giving to a local school was a close second, with 283 Formula One points.
• The Gates Foundation was held in relatively high esteem, with 20 respondents rating it in the top half of their picks. This despite debate on the effectiveness of a $20k gift to such a well-endowed institution.
• The government did not fare so well. Giving the money to the US government was clear last, with just 46 points. Thirteen people ranked the government as their last choice to further the common good!
• None-of-the-above was most popular of all, with 41 folks suggesting their own cause. Kiva was mentioned several times (earning 58 Formula One points). Clean water organizations like WaterPartners International and PlayPumps received a couple of mentions each.
• As of this writing, 90 people ranked their choices, with more than 180 other comments.

But don’t take my word for it, read the discussion thread. Where else can a question about giving solicit so much solid discussion—especially from folks outside of the business of nonprofits?

So… How would you spend $20,000 to best help the common good?

P.S. This analysis could not be less scientific. But if you’d like to crank the numbers yourself, drop me a line and I’ll let you into the spreadsheet.

Tags: discussion giving nonprofits philanthropy