Interesting points, @notrichenough I’d guess part of the reason Google etc are in Boston at all is because of those universities. Boston may be a poor example of the effect of tax-exempt universities though, because the city has so much else going on. Perhaps the impact is greater in smaller towns and cities like, say, Amherst, to use another Massachusetts example.
They already essentially do, for those who aren’t very wealthy. I don’t think the highest best use of their money is giving money to millionaires.
Totally agree that #2 is not cool.