If you had $10 million to devote to charity, (and another fund to finance yourself), what would you do with the 10 mill?

Personally, I subscribe to the philosophy of "give a man a fish, you've fed him for a day. Teach a man to catch a fish, you have fed him for life."

That's not to say to never give a man a fish.

I'm no financial wizard, so I take a very simple approach to the idea. Invest the money in a variety of low/medium/high risk prospects. Use the interest to fund an ongoing charitable project.

I don't know if it is feasible financially or in practicality, what I would like to do is set up a free medical clinic and English school for anyone to attend whenever they want, but situated close to the needs of Burmese migrants.

The purpose of this thread is mainly to air anyone else's ideas on what they would do for charity with that amount of money as the basis, but critical opinions on any ideas put forward could be constructive also.

Lets think in US$ for consistancy.

"If you had $10 million to devote to charity, (and another fund to finance yourself), what would you do with the 10 mill?"

we are presently spending more than 10mm (Baht) for agricultural land and constructing an orphanage cum school in India. estimated cost when finished approximately USD 580k. the "gods" have blessed the project with extremely fertile land, we had two harvests of crops last year and an ongoing harvest of vegetables plus production of eggs. not blessed is the experience with the relevant authorities which demand bribes for each of the dozens of required permits. but the bottom line is that both my wife and me think it is the best "investment" we ever made although the financial yield is zero.

p.s. i wish i could afford to spend 10 million dollars on charity.

we are presently spending more than 10mm (Baht) for agricultural land and constructing an orphanage cum school in India. estimated cost when finished approximately USD 580k. the "gods" have blessed the project with extremely fertile land, we had two harvests of crops last year and an ongoing harvest of vegetables plus production of eggs. not blessed is the experience with the relevant authorities which demand bribes for each of the dozens of required permits. but the bottom line is that both my wife and me think it is the best "investment" we ever made although the financial yield is zero.

p.s. i wish i could afford to spend 10 million dollars on charity.

Very Admirable ! Good on you & Mrs. Naam

If I had $10 million? Who says I don't? Maybe I'm just some weird rich recluse who hides his money under the mattress.

"If you had $10 million to devote to charity, (and another fund to finance yourself), what would you do with the 10 mill?"

we are presently spending more than 10mm (Baht) for agricultural land and constructing an orphanage cum school in India. estimated cost when finished approximately USD 580k. the "gods" have blessed the project with extremely fertile land, we had two harvests of crops last year and an ongoing harvest of vegetables plus production of eggs. not blessed is the experience with the relevant authorities which demand bribes for each of the dozens of required permits. but the bottom line is that both my wife and me think it is the best "investment" we ever made although the financial yield is zero.

p.s. i wish i could afford to spend 10 million dollars on charity.

Good on yah. I came to a point in my life where I get far more pleasure out of giving than receiving. What I get in return is the pleasure of helping others help themselves. The strange thing is I flipped 180 degrees in some of my previous thinking, and I now benefit from the rewards of helping others.

I still firmly believe that if you can help just one person in your life to better themselves then it's been a rewarding life. You can't help everyone, but just help as many as you can afford. Straight handouts are not always beneficial (except temporarily), but it is amazing what a little money well placed can do to benefit others.

"If you had $10 million to devote to charity, (and another fund to finance yourself), what would you do with the 10 mill?"

we are presently spending more than 10mm (Baht) for agricultural land and constructing an orphanage cum school in India. estimated cost when finished approximately USD 580k. the "gods" have blessed the project with extremely fertile land, we had two harvests of crops last year and an ongoing harvest of vegetables plus production of eggs. not blessed is the experience with the relevant authorities which demand bribes for each of the dozens of required permits. but the bottom line is that both my wife and me think it is the best "investment" we ever made although the financial yield is zero.

p.s. i wish i could afford to spend 10 million dollars on charity.

My hat off to you!

"If you had $10 million to devote to charity, (and another fund to finance yourself), what would you do with the 10 mill?"

we are presently spending more than 10mm (Baht) for agricultural land and constructing an orphanage cum school in India. estimated cost when finished approximately USD 580k. the "gods" have blessed the project with extremely fertile land, we had two harvests of crops last year and an ongoing harvest of vegetables plus production of eggs. not blessed is the experience with the relevant authorities which demand bribes for each of the dozens of required permits. but the bottom line is that both my wife and me think it is the best "investment" we ever made although the financial yield is zero.

p.s. i wish i could afford to spend 10 million dollars on charity.

That is the hypothetical question...IF you did have it, what would you do with it?

"If you had $10 million to devote to charity, (and another fund to finance yourself), what would you do with the 10 mill?"

we are presently spending more than 10mm (Baht) for agricultural land and constructing an orphanage cum school in India. estimated cost when finished approximately USD 580k. the "gods" have blessed the project with extremely fertile land, we had two harvests of crops last year and an ongoing harvest of vegetables plus production of eggs. not blessed is the experience with the relevant authorities which demand bribes for each of the dozens of required permits. but the bottom line is that both my wife and me think it is the best "investment" we ever made although the financial yield is zero.

p.s. i wish i could afford to spend 10 million dollars on charity.

That is the hypothetical question...IF you did have it, what would you do with it?

I'd pay young mothers to come for studies and actually LEARN about life, and how to teach their children to give them the best chance at life in the future. If young women got paid to study and pass an exam on proper parenting then it would be beneficial in the long run. It's too bad so many young Thai women didn't insist on using condoms BEFORE THEY GOT PREGNANT to young Thai men who then split as soon as he found out the girl was pregnant.

Good English skills and an open minded thought process would go a long way in helping young Thai children in the future.

That's a good one Ian.

I reckon you could fund a whole lot of that kind of specific education with 10 mill.

But would you use the capital or the interest off the investment?

Nice question, if i have ten million, i will like to get hold of a building in St Kilda Melbourne Australia, the building is call Colombo court, it is a 1920 artdeco, next door of Harley court building in Acland street, i will turn the building as free office for good cause, a tender will be put yearly for the 12 offices and free rent will be given for the next 12 month to them.

The Building will be put in truth and could not be sold !

I will change the building name to Donlevy Fitzpatrick, this person were my mentor and a great guy who change the face of St Kilda with many developments he done, he never look for $ return, his passion was to do interesting concept, accessible to the locals without been arrogant!

The building has a nice bar on the ground call <Dog’sBar>, which will with the rent support all outgoing fees, rates, insurance.

Well he was a very nice guy, sadly 2 years ago after few years with brain tumour, he pass away at the age of 62, i do not see St Kilda city council doing many things to memorise his name.

Everyday i thank him for his help, i meet him 30 years ago, he truth me and give me the opportunity to do many interesting myself.

That's a good one Ian.

I reckon you could fund a whole lot of that kind of specific education with 10 mill.

But would you use the capital or the interest off the investment?

A bit of both, but mostly the interest off WISE investments.

Perhaps, start a charity to take care of, sterilize and - if necessary - euthanize abandoned pets. Their lives can be nothing but torture and they can do nothing to change their fate.

Pick a country in Africa and dig wells to make sure everyone had clean water.

I always liked the idea of opening up a boarding school in Thailand that would help poorer children get an education and would help them in university. I would also build on the campus a Buddhist temple to help pass on those values, but all children would from all backgrounds would be welcome. I would say that I would do something like that here in the States but 10 mil wouldn't go that far and Americans don't like educational endevours.

I always liked the idea of opening up a boarding school in Thailand that would help poorer children get an education and would help them in university. I would also build on the campus a Buddhist temple to help pass on those values, but all children would from all backgrounds would be welcome. I would say that I would do something like that here in the States but 10 mil wouldn't go that far and Americans don't like educational endevours.

Here you go. All contributions gratefully accepted no matter how great or small. They take Paypal too.

http://www.thaistudentcharity.org/index.ph...e&Itemid=58

"If you had $10 million to devote to charity, (and another fund to finance yourself), what would you do with the 10 mill?"

p.s. i wish i could afford to spend 10 million dollars on charity.

That is the hypothetical question...IF you did have it, what would you do with it?

i can't answer your question by shooting from the hip. all i can say is if the whole capital is employed i'd split it into more than a dozen individual projects and select qualified people for planning as well as implementing. our present project takes already many hours a week of Mrs Naam's and daily an hour or two of my capacity, we wouldn't be able to handle more. the main problem is that in those countries where charity is needed you are facing incredibly high hurdles by authorities and their fàcking corrupt officials who have nothing in mind except lining their pockets. in the early stages, coinciding with the peak of the financial crisis, we considered several times to withdraw and abandon our project. this problem does not arise anymore as we are too advanced.

My hat off to you!

not warranted! all what we are doing is using a part of what fate/kismet/karma/GOD and of course some hard work has made available to us. for many years we were spending peanuts sponsoring individual orphans belonging to different religions. losing our only child ~5 years ago and having no deserving heirs made it rather easy for us to spend a wee bit more. any "hats off" should be reserved for those who donate to charities but can barely afford it.

My hat off to you!

not warranted! all what we are doing is using a part of what fate/kismet/karma/GOD and of course some hard work has made available to us. for many years we were spending peanuts sponsoring individual orphans belonging to different religions. losing our only child ~5 years ago and having no deserving heirs made it rather easy for us to spend a wee bit more. any "hats off" should be reserved for those who donate to charities but can barely afford it.

I don't agree. Certainly those that give when they can barely afford it are worthy of my respect, but I think you are too modest. The point is that you DO something. Many wouldn't. I still take my hat off to you.

right on naam for your good works...am also sorry to hear about your loss...

with 10 mil properly invested the income could be directed to a foundation with administrators that would review the usual incoming proposals...the admins would then haveta convince me of the efficacy of any subsequent disbursement; my primary interest would be child welfare in developing countries including clean water and sanitation...it's amazing what a small effort can produce on a local level if handled efficiently...

I knew an american guy in Nicaragua in the 80s that managed to put together a small hydroelectric arrangement donated by a scandinavian country to provide power to a small village in the mountains outside of Matagalpa...he began another identical project but it was never finished as he was murdered while on the job by US funded contras for being a sandinista supporter...

funny the things that you gotta think about when you dish out the money...

I always liked the idea of opening up a boarding school in Thailand that would help poorer children get an education and would help them in university. I would also build on the campus a Buddhist temple to help pass on those values, but all children would from all backgrounds would be welcome. I would say that I would do something like that here in the States but 10 mil wouldn't go that far and Americans don't like educational endevours.

Here you go. All contributions gratefully accepted no matter how great or small. They take Paypal too.

http://www.thaistudentcharity.org/index.ph...e&Itemid=58

This is awsome! I didn't know he published any more books either. Thanks endure! I am happy to see such an organization and I will find a way to donate, meaning I will find some money. We are living hand to mouth here in America.

I always liked the idea of opening up a boarding school in Thailand that would help poorer children get an education and would help them in university. I would also build on the campus a Buddhist temple to help pass on those values, but all children would from all backgrounds would be welcome. I would say that I would do something like that here in the States but 10 mil wouldn't go that far and Americans don't like educational endevours.

Here you go. All contributions gratefully accepted no matter how great or small. They take Paypal too.

http://www.thaistudentcharity.org/index.ph...e&Itemid=58

That is another thing I would like to do....this type of thing. I envisage, though, that I would try to instill in the beneficiaries a philosophy that when they become successfull, they should give back to the foundation....a sort of reverse pyramid scheme where it's all about giving, so that the foundation grows exponentially.

Would that work?

I always liked the idea of opening up a boarding school in Thailand that would help poorer children get an education and would help them in university. I would also build on the campus a Buddhist temple to help pass on those values, but all children would from all backgrounds would be welcome. I would say that I would do something like that here in the States but 10 mil wouldn't go that far and Americans don't like educational endevours.

Here you go. All contributions gratefully accepted no matter how great or small. They take Paypal too.

http://www.thaistudentcharity.org/index.ph...e&Itemid=58

That is another thing I would like to do....this type of thing. I envisage, though, that I would try to instill in the beneficiaries a philosophy that when they become successfull, they should give back to the foundation....a sort of reverse pyramid scheme where it's all about giving, so that the foundation grows exponentially.

Would that work?

In Thailand, dream on........

Pessimist!

I always liked the idea of opening up a boarding school in Thailand that would help poorer children get an education and would help them in university. I would also build on the campus a Buddhist temple to help pass on those values, but all children would from all backgrounds would be welcome. I would say that I would do something like that here in the States but 10 mil wouldn't go that far and Americans don't like educational endevours.

Here you go. All contributions gratefully accepted no matter how great or small. They take Paypal too.

http://www.thaistudentcharity.org/index.ph...e&Itemid=58

This is awsome! I didn't know he published any more books either. Thanks endure! I am happy to see such an organization and I will find a way to donate, meaning I will find some money. We are living hand to mouth here in America.

You don't need to send them big dosh. I send £10 whenever I can afford it. They're happy with any amount you send. They'll send you a newsletter a couple of times a year. Phra Peter's book on meditation was recently republished and they sent me a copy from Thailand. They do good work.

The trouble is finding the right charities.

There are so many out there, lots do a lot of good - but perhaps many more just play with peoples emotions and take their money.

My mother has been sponsering a little girl in Uganda for the past 5 years, her name is Joannie and she writes to my mum who also sends her presents. This costs my mum about 20 pounds a month through World Vision, who I think seem to be a good charity.

Medecins sans Frontieres is also another good one.

There are so many to choose from. I, myself, send a small amount to Swiss charities - mountain rescue helicopters, dogs for the blind, cancer research, MS etc. every year.

Obviously, if I had 10 million dollars my scope would be much larger.

Building schools, water supplies are the obvious. As are vaccines, mosquito nets, family planning, BANGING PEOPLE'S HEADS AGAINST THE WALL, etc.

I think it is up to the individual person to decide which charities are closest to their hearts - whether it is kids, animals, disease etc. to decide where they think they can make a (anonymous) donation which will make a difference for those who are less fortunate than we are.

The trouble is finding the right charities.

There are so many out there, lots do a lot of good - but perhaps many more just play with peoples emotions and take their money.

My mother has been sponsering a little girl in Uganda for the past 5 years, her name is Joannie and she writes to my mum who also sends her presents. This costs my mum about 20 pounds a month through World Vision, who I think seem to be a good charity.

I used to do the same thing with twins in Thailand with a charity called Plan International who seemed to be very good. I even got to go and meet them.

She hasn't met her, but recieves updates and photos and letters from her. My brother also sponsers a little girl in Uganda through the same charity. They haven't met the children - but seem to get good reviews from the charity about their schooling, which for my mum is primordial.

I think it would take alot to meet the children that you sponsor, i would want to bundle them up and run away with them!! But, as we all know, sponsoring is different to fostering which is different to adopting.

Good on ya, Endure.

Small semi-random acts of kindness - like the concept of "Pass it on" - while traveling within your country or region of choice.

I would give my $10 million to the Sarah Palin for President campaign fund, simply to watch the liberals on this forum spin in the wind.

Seriously, Naam, Good on 'ya for your good deeds. It is a very commendable action.

Perhaps, start a charity to take care of, sterilize and - if necessary - euthanize abandoned pets. Their lives can be nothing but torture and they can do nothing to change their fate.

Why just stick to the pets? I'd start with the irresponsible owners.