Lessons from Zuckerberg and Bloomberg: As Giving Goes Up, Philanthropy Under Fire Howard Husock - Forbes
go to original January 26, 2014

Zuckerberg (left) and Bloomberg. (Associated Press)

The report by The Chronicle of Philanthropy that the top ten philanthropic gifts in the year past totaled $3.4 billion, and that there were more gifts of $100 million or more in 2013 (15), than in 2012 (11), serves as a reminder of American generosity.  Indeed, U.S. charitable gifts total twice as large a percentage of gross domestic product (2.2 percent) as the next-closest country (the United Kingdom, 1.1 percent.)

But a review of the big-ticket gifts - which are just a small portion of the more than $300 billion in overall household and corporate charitable giving - reminds us that American philanthropy is not just significant for its magnitude.  It is also independent - meaning that it is directed in thoughtful, personal ways by individuals with their own interests and enthusiasms, not - at least not yet - directed by government.  That may be changing in ways that should concern us.

See the original at Forbes

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