Interesting that the question says who, and not what. For the first time in looking at these prompts, I looked at how others’ replied, and saw some very interesting patterns. Folks that obviously don’t have that kind of money would spend it on a single project that could easily be a sinkhole of loss in about three years such that the one million dollars wouldn’t be enough to keep the project going or be sustainable. The views are self-centric, not in motive, but in understanding the collaborative nature of asking for help from others–and what the real costs are in sustaining a major project in today’s dollars.
The idea to give back to family is very basic, but it isn’t just money that endows family estates in the long haul. It’s education and mentorship connections that the family has built up over generations. This every Jew I’ve met understands, and yet it is amazing how jealous and envious other neighbors become of their gifts–they steal it in war, or kill them en-mass, because they don’t understand how to give for their own family tradition of generations to come. The danger comes later: don’t let the enemy of my enemy be my friend and seek revenge. The Arab folklore describing the man on his horse riding into town with this message was beheaded! (Ah yes, the French government and the Knight’s Templar. George Lucas continued this Friday the 13th event when the Empire tried to kill off all the Jedi.)
Destroying an entire culture and everyone in it due to a few bad apples has never solved anything but endless war. Same is true of spending money without considering the consequences. How many celebrities’ storied losses have we’ve seen when the tax man cometh. Hopefully it isn’t a pound of flesh that is due!
Giving away something for nothing is exactly what San Francisco 501c3’s do for the homeless. It sounds so helpful and kind to give away shelter for free–but the reality is that this model hasn’t worked at all–except for the perpetuity of their ever increasing budget! As for the several million alcoholics who have stayed sober in Alcoholics Anonymous since the late 1930’s–they know what it takes to change their lives.
The homeless don’t want shelter because they don’t want responsibility or the rules that come with it–such as modeled in a successful family unit. They’ve never learned success from their family of origin. One has to take action and work for a goal in order for it to stick. The naive notion of giving away money to family members will only magnify the black and the white sheep–and create dissension with knives out–just like at the reading of the will!
I could go on and on, but I think you get my point. The secret is actually very basic. Do nothing. Give of yourself to the charities you adore right now–not after some unlikely event in the future. Note I said Give of Yourself, which relates to the “Time is Money” Golden Key. The above responses do have a hint of truth in them–and that truth is written very clearly in the Bible–by your fruits shall you know–be given, or added unto. If you are sitting back waiting for the windfall to come, and saying “I want a million dollars to give.” The universe will respond and put you in want for a million dollars. Forever as you shall deem.
I suggest having a conversation with God first, and perhaps, read Neale Donald Walsch’s book of the same name, “Conversations with God,” and see where it takes you.
Did I answer the question? Not really. Who would get the money? I would give the money to me! I’d invest it in oil, uranium, and silver. Then, after a tripling in value when the dollar collapses, I can give those whose creative energy manifests in their work of art, a residency for their art, and bring true value to our community–in a piece of art–that remains of timeless value for all to see. And it cost me nothing!
After three tax years, I’d like to see how much the money I paid myself has grown. I’d withdrawal my initial one million dollars, and give away all the rest to artists. I’d wait three years to spend it–and wait and see who comes along!
In short, there is only one person to trust. And that rule is written on every coin of sobriety given in AA to the millions who have stayed sober and changed their life from misery and skid row. “To thine own self be true.”
The Dao of Doug: A Bus Driver's Perspective 