[bensonn]

What are you trying to achieve, or what do you mean by "give back"? Which is more important, helping people or sticking with your SE skills? There isn't a wrong answer- I sincerely can't tell your priorities, goals, etc.

Who do you want help is the first question, then figure out how based on their needs. Who is in "the community" you want to give back to? I think one of the reasons you have come up dry is because there isn't a true need in the communities you are looking at.

I know this sounds critical, which it is, but hopefully not too critical. SE is fluff, those that desperately need help, they don't need code. People need shelter, food, water, health, safety- the rest is gravy. Money, which you have, can provide these basic needs. Donate money to charities that specialize in providing these things. Volunteer with the charities of your choice. Convert your skills and experience as a SE into cash (a placeholder for value), let the charities use your value to help people. It doesn't sound as satisfying or glamorous as teaching/mentoring but it will probably have a much greater impact. If you can make $300 per hour do that and hire 10 teachers/tutors instead of teaching yourself.

Other thoughts

-your money gives you time, time for you to volunteer and help

-Empower small local business, true mom and pops (build free websites, inventory tracking software, etc.)

-Software/sites for local charities (maybe as simple as etting up square donations on their site)

-clean up used laptops and give them away

-create scholarships

[comfypotato]

“I know this sounds critical, which it is” You have no reason to be critical at all. The author is expressing a desire to help people. They are here because they are unclear how to do so.

That being said, I actually really agree with what you’re saying. (So if your tone was to get strangers on the internet to read a valid point, you succeeded with me at least.) To summarize the greatest takeaway for me: technically the most efficient way to give back (definitely not glamorous) is probably donating further SE income.

[needhalp]

> clean up used laptops and give them away

This will be life changing for me! @bensonn do you know how can I get a free laptop? Thank you!

I'm currently really struggling in life (I barely eat once a day at the moment) but I'm really passionate about Linux/free software. So, a free laptop could really help me get local jobs (sysadmin or web developer for SMEs), put food on the table, & pay rent!

[Our_Benefactors]

One form of charity does not make another less valid. There exist myriad good causes in the world an individual can choose to contribute towards.

[rramadass]

>One form of charity does not make another less valid

People keep repeating this but it is Patently Not True. The distinction lies in the Needs vs. Wants dichotomy.