philanthropy connections

as someone who went trick-or-treating at warren buffet's house as a child, and then worked at the bill & melinda gates foundation just as it was starting out, i feel pretty dang good about the latest major development in philanthropy. rock on, warren, for bequeathing your fortunes to people who work hard to make sure their fortunes go to the right place. one of the many impressive tenets of the gates foundation is to make grants to people who are already doing good work. the foundation doesn't pretend or try to be the expert in all fields; they are expert in identifying organizations working hard at the ground level. granting funds to those IN the community--rather than stepping in with big bucks and no connections--ensures a greater and sustained impact to the people who need it most.

warren, your money will be well spent.