This is originally a question I was asked to consult on, with regards to one of the Iwi (tribes) in NZ, where they have a trust fund which they manage, and then different ways to care for the wellbeing and all of their offspring for all future generations.

This can apply to Native American or other indigenous groups, as well as even if a company, government or charity chose to really look after their people.
Much of this could apply to any group, and the starting funds actually is not the only helpful or relevant part, but the community with assigned leaders who can organise and prioritize this community.

Originally Answered: If you had half a Billion dollars, to look after the wellbeing of 3000 people (and their offspring), what would you do?
1) Secure long term financial wealth.
In NZ we have Kiwisaver which gives a $1000 kickstart to anyone who contributes to this scheme.
They also match any investment up to $1000.

As an absolute minimum
So for $3000 I would put $1 in each person’s account to get the kick start. (gives group value of $3,000,000 for minimal investment).

For any who are 64 this year I would give them $1000 on condition that they give it back on retirement (65). This would then be recycled through the group. This may mean that if there is 50-100 this year, it will cost $50,000 – $100,000 then this will also generate this for the retiring trustees each year.

Or, a conservative return on that asset should be up to $25M / 3000 people, means that there is up to $8,333 per person per year.
If this is just spent, then the long term prosperity of the group would be harmed, though at least spending $1000 per person into Kiwisaver would double that value for the overall group.

If this is done for each person, this would mean $65,000 investment per person for their lifetime, and would give each member $983,115.72 on retirement.

After 65 years this would add $2,949,347,160 value to the group.

It could even be possible to give this on condition of retirement, that the original cash given ($65,000 is given back to the trust – you are effectively getting $918,115.72 for free – so that seems a pretty small fee for that privilege).

While this is 12% of the per person fund available, it does give a more than 100% ROI so seems very prudent.

FOR THOSE THAT WORK:
If they were in a job, and they submitted 2% of their income, then in addition to this, it has to be matched by their employer/

According to http://www.stats.govt.nz/browse_for_stats/income-and-work/Income/NZIncomeSurvey_HOTPJun11qtr.aspx
“Median weekly income for those receiving income from wages and salaries was $800”
So annual average income of $41,600 so a 2% contribution would be $832 which by law has to be matched by their employer.

Trust contribution to all trustees: $1000
Govt contribution match : $1000

Self contribution for employed: $832 *
Employer forced contribution matching 2%: $832

So they would be putting away a total of $3,664 per year.

(This assumes the average NZ national income, though this group is Auckland based, so wages can be slightly higher).

If we put this figure into the compound interest calculator
http://www.moneychimp.com/calculator/compound_interest_calculator.htm
Then this means from birth to retirement could be as much as $1,781,233.21 * per trustee on retirement.

* This is assuming a conservative 5% return per annum, group buying could ensure better returns are negotiated.

The component earned from the 2% contribution is self earned so of course no amount needs to be given back to the trust, but a minimum of 2% contribution for those working, could be a condition of qualifying for the trustee contribution.

2) Leadership and inspiration
Those who are the most inspirational, will be selected to lead either family teams, or groups of 5-10 and it is their job to care for their people within this smaller unit.

Each 3 months, a meeting with the teams will review where they are, and what they have achieved.

Public celebration and honor for any individual who achieves something awesome (anything – could be art, sales, a promotion, getting a job, literally anything of value) in that time. I believe this single act would likely be the most impact of all items listed.

The long term vision and goals for the team should be set as a group. What do we want to achieve, what is our constitution? What are our outcomes? What do we need to fix as a group?

3) Financial Education
I would organise a top accountant, to build a standardized tax minimisation, and earning strategy the can be re-used for the group. (Eg a standardised system could be applied for all of the trustees, and allows a

Someone could be hired from the group (or a volunteer) in order to learn basic accounting, and to prepare tax returns for all trustees. Thus ensuring maximal cash is retained for all trustees.

As a minimum, in NZ we have a voluntary return policy
eg if you fill out your form, work out that YOU owe the Tax department money and your PAYE was underpaid by your employer, you DO NOT HAVE TO SUBMIT IT.

If you are owed a refund, then you are able to submit it. The following

http://www.nztaxrefunds.co.nz

On average 70-93% of people that check were owed a refund.
The average yearly refund is $380.
If the refund is less than $50, then the sites listed above don’t charge you.

So roughly: 3000 people * 380 average return * 70% of people owed a refund =
$798,000 additional for the whole team and at an individual level

$266 / person ($380 x 70% chance of getting it to give a conservative average per year)

I we were to invest it (ignoring kiwisaver etc) over a 40 year working period (from 20-60)
http://www.moneychimp.com/calculator/compound_interest_calculator.htm

Then that would be worth around $35,612 per person.
Or $106,836,041 to the whole group.

A decent accountant, could set everyone up with much better claiming than this, but this is a very simple and easy way to get cash to the group for no effort.

I would purchase 10 copies of Rich Dad / Poor dad ($39 each), and 5 copies of Rich Dad: Cashflow the board game, and 5 of the Cashflow for the kids game.

Expert entrepreneurs and investors could be brought in to speak and inspire.

4) Education
I would implement a scholarship, it would require 25 hours per year of community service doing something / anything for the greater community.
Only the very most deserving will qualify, and if any bad behavior / low grades, then the scholarship is cancelled.

After they have graduated, they will have 5-10 years to pay half of it back.
I would sponsor the highest paying and most beneficial industries eg it could be a good way to generate large ROI for the group (eg if say 300 of them were accountants, in IT and Doctors then the long term financial and medical health would be assured).

5) Housing
Housing investment and property development skills could also be a clever long term strategy (eg leverage existing property for a new property development which is rented to the people and that rent can pay the property off thus increasing the asset base over time).

A rent to own strategy could be in place, with the money made to pay down the mortgages.

Some of the builders could be sourced from any unemployed trustees thus building valueable skills (while also hiring really high quality foremen / builders to learn building skills from).

Those who are on a benefit, can be paid to do the work, or they can use their sweat equity in order to secure an equivalent percentage of a finished house.

I would also leverage off the skills of Habitat for Humanity (both to help co-ordinate the building projects, as well as providing training for the trustees).
http://www.habitat.org/

6) Employment
All of those trustees in current jobs, they could organise those who are not, if they wanted to, to negotiate a work experience 1- 3 months. This would give skills, and allow those trustees who are employed to effectively increase their output to the company they work for.

Eg they are to accompany their peers, for the purpose of learning those skills.
This is not mandatory, but a possible opportunity, and one which could lead to recruitment (From memory 20-40% of temps and work experience people get an offer at the end of the term).

7) Health and welfare
I would organise free immunizations for anyone who wants it (I believe the Govt organises this already for free).

For anyone who needs it, I would bring in speakers regarding all the publicly available resources so people know what and how to take advantage of what is available.

8) Buying power
I would organise a bulk discount quote for phone, clothing, power, internet, insurance, food and skytv, also I would get someone to regularly review the very cheapest deals in general for these types of supplies.

This could save up to 10-20% off monthly bills.

A small voluntary Christmas club where members put into a central fund, in exchange for Christmas groceries (bulk buying power, as well as interest on that put aside can be put back into the christmas food). This will also mean that during one of the most stressful times the food is covered, as well as freeing up cash for presents etc.

This can also hire people to source, buy and distribute it. Before doing this inhouse, I would check if there are existing Christmas clubs (Chrisco etc) which would do this cheaper, and see if by marketing to a 3000 large list they can discount further.