February 2, 2010 | Read Time: 1 minute
A stock sale by the co-founders of Google had the business world abuzz last month, but it could also lead to significant philanthropy.
According to CNNMoney.com, Sergey Brin and Larry Page plan to sell 5 million shares of stock each over the next five years, generating somewhere around $2.5-billion for both men.
With such a windfall, there is some speculation that Mr. Page and Mr. Brin could donate part of the money, if only to ease their capital-gains tax exposure.
They have shown an interest in philanthropy, playing large roles in setting up Google.org, the charitable arm of the company. But neither has done a significant amount of personal philanthropy, at least not publically.
Mr. Brin last year did start to give money to charity, albeit in relatively small amounts. He gave $1-million to the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, which helped his family immigrate from Russia when he was a child. And he provided another $1-million to support Parkinson’s disease research. He revealed in 2008 that he has a genetic mutation that raises his risk for the condition.
To be sure, Google is not saying whether its executives have future giving plans.
“I’m afraid that we don’t comment on the personal philanthropy of our co-founders,” Jamie Yood, a spokesman for the Internet search company, writes in an e-mail to The Chronicle.
What do you think? What causes would you like the Google co-founders to support if they greatly increase their giving? Click on the comment button below to share your views.
