Americans are Generous People

Americans are some of the most giving people in the world.  Fortunately, (at least for now) the government supports our philanthropic tendencies by allowing tax benefits for charitable contributions.  But for most philanthropists, the tax benefits are just icing on the cake.  The real driver in most charitable giving is to provide a benefit for institutions or causes we care about; to impact our community for the better; and to help others.  In short, giving to others helps us lead not just a life of success, but a life of significance.  The crisis in Haiti is the most recent example, with donations from private American citizens far surpassing the support of any world government, including our own.

I recently subscribed to a free publication called Imprimis (it means “in the first place” or “above all”).  It primarily consists of speeches from major conservative thinkers, and is provided at no cost from Hillsdale College in Michigan (imprimis@hillsdale.edu).  The January issued provided a transcript of a speech by Adam Meyerson, President of The Philanthropy Roundtable.  In that speech, Meyerson cites “three reasons why America is the most charitable country on earth.”  He says:

1.  First, we are the most religious people of any leading modern economy.  Americans who attend church or synagogue or another form of worship once a week give three times as much to charity as a percentage of their income as do those who rarely attend services.

2.  Second, we respect the ability of individuals, and associations of individuals, to make a difference.  Americans don’t wait for the government or the local nobleman to solve our problems; we find solutions ourselves.

3.  Third, philanthropy is an important part of our nation’s business culture.  Some of the best-known business people in America are also among the most generous.

Let’s hope that the rapid increase in government regulation of charities; increased taxation of individuals and businesses; increase  in the government “nanny” taking care of everything we need; and its general interference in our free market / capitalist system – doesn’t obliterate our ability to continue being generous!