Ask HN: Recommend employers with positive social impact

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I think at least part of the objection would be to Palantir being on the list. They got into all kinds of hot water for helping Trump administration do various unethical things (I don't remember the specifics)

If your skills are relevant and good, you ought to be able to have way more impact on a political campaign than a 17k donation, which at most levels of developed world politics barely scratches the surface and isn't going to teach you anything about politics either.

It's a little different if the volunteering is something low impact or something you're way out of your depth in, or if the cause wanting money has a way of getting very tangible rewards (which are quantifiably greater than whatever free time you can spare on it)

I help make furniture for a living. It's a small business making a big impact locally. It's not a grand problem but reducing the cost and increasing the availability of kitchens in my home country is satisfying. We have so many inefficiencies in the industry that we can make a big impact.

Small businesses making lives better for locals can be meaningful.

>Does your work make at least a small contribution to a better world? If so, where do you work?

I sell used video games online. I make the world slightly better by giving thousands of people each year a bit of fun, nostalgic escape. I also create a good, well paying job for at least one employee so far.

My dad worked in the rockwool/glasswool industry for 30 years as an engineer. He made the world better by helping people insulate their homes.

I'd be very hesitant to say that the average for-profit company doesn't make the world better. I'd be even more hesitant to say that social enterprises, nonprofits and other well-meaning organisations that sell themselves on being ethical are typically effective. And based on the experience of people I know who've worked at the Red Cross and Headspace, to say that a single employee in one of these organisations can actually make a difference (or even achieve anything) is incredibly rare.

Outside of companies that monetise addiction (this includes things like social media and mobile games) or spend huge amounts lobbying the government it's actually really hard to make money these days without providing something people value. It's very easy to burn grants and donations for no gain, though.