What is Google.org?

Google.org uses Google's strengths in information and technology to build products and advocate for policies that address global challenges.

"We hope someday [Google.org] may eclipse Google itself in terms of overall world impact by ambitiously applying innovation and significant resources to the largest of the world's problems." – Larry Page, Founders IPO Letter 2004

In 2004, when Google founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin wrote to prospective shareholders about their vision for the company, they outlined a commitment to contribute significant resources, including 1% of Google's equity and profits in some form, as well as employee time, to address some of the world's most urgent problems. That commitment became a range of giving initiatives including Google.org.

Today, Google.org builds technology products to address global challenges such as climate change, pandemic disease and poverty. We focus our efforts on activities that are uniquely suited to Google's engineering teams, global infrastructure and user-driven approach, taking advantage of our ability to innovate and scale.


History

Early in our history we focused on grant making for a range of initiatives. Since its inception, Google.org has committed over $100 million in grants to non-profits and investments in companies with breakthrough technologies.

When we reviewed our progress in early 2009, it became clear that while our partners were doing excellent work with our grant funding, we could do more to effectively use Google's engineering talent by focusing on the technical contributions we could make. We shifted our focus to engage in engineering projects at that time. We continue to manage an existing portfolio of grants and investments and the Google Foundation.

Google.org also helps with Googler volunteering, Google Earth outreach and clean energy advocacy, and other green initiatives such as RechargeIT.

For other philanthropic initiatives at Google, visit Also @ Google.