$50 Million Dollar Charitable Donation

I was watching Lipstick Jungle last night (I know, I’m a loser) and the multi-billionaire boyfriend bought a Van Gogh painting at auction for $50 million dollars. That really got my blood boiling. If I had $50 million that didn’t mean anything to me, I’d rather see it do some good for society. But what would I do? I think I’d rather give one million to fifty causes than to give it all to one. What do you think?

How about a compromise: I think the first thing I would do is buy (or build) an apartment complex to provide free housing for the homeless – probably two: one in a residential area for families with children and a different one near a treatment center for those with drug and/or alcohol addictions, or mental problems. Then with whatever was left, I’d do things for children ( a million each to: the Make a Wish Foundation, the Ronald McDonald House, local foster care facilities, Cystic Fibrosis, Special Olympics, etc.)

If I were going to start a charity, I’d want to help families who have had to declare bankruptcy due to medical expenses incurred trying to cure, or manage, a family member’s illness (childhood cancers, deformities, etc.) I’d want to help them get back on their feet again (buy a home, college fund for children, etc.)

What would YOU do???