Could Microsoft and Google eventually compete in the realm of philanthropy? Google.org, the search giant's charitable arm, looks to be beefing up its Mountain View, Ca-based operations and has seven new job openings posted. They show that Google is building teams to address poverty and sustainable development, climate change and energy and global public health. The philanthropic work will make use of Google's own projects, technology, partnerships and other resources.

With initial funding of $90 million, Google.org is dwarfed by the $2.5 billion in charitable contributions by Microsoft in 2005, and by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, whose assets are expected to grow to about $60 billion with help from Warren Buffett.

But Google.org has a pretty ambitious goal: eclipsing Google itself in its impact on the world.