NationStates Jolt Archive

With Comic relif tonight I was wondering what Charty events/Show's there are in America and how much you generally raise for Charity? Is America charitable?

With Comic relif tonight I was wondering what Charty events/Show's there are in America and how much you generally raise for Charity? Is America charitable?

It seems they have many ways of "Judging" the charity of a Nation...

For example:

U.S. citizens contribute about 100 times what Canadian citizens do in total. Now the U.S. is NOT 100 times larger than Canada, so it seems that once Population is taken into account (I believe the U.S. is about 10 times larger than Canada) we are still some 10 times more giving PER PERSON than Canadians, and it seems the same applies to the UK in about the same manner.

But then they go on to consider the differing levels of "support" the Governments give and how that plays into the equation, as well as how people give their "time" to Charities...

http://www.aandb.org.uk/Asp/uploadedFiles/file/Maecenas%20Initiative%20-%20Research%20Report.pdf

Suffice it to say that a Nation's "Charity" is a difficult thing to guage.

Regards,
Gaar

Two types of charity:
1. What your government gives.
2. What your people give through private philanthropy.

The US government provides a tremendous amount of aid money, but if you figure on a per capita basis, it might not appear to be as much as other nations whose governments give money.

Americans are more philanthropic than anyone else.

An upcoming study, to be published in full in spring 2005 by the San Francisco-based Institute for Jewish & Community Research, finds that the top 6% of annual American charitable contributions exceeds the combined efforts of all other nations to aid victims of the recent Indian Ocean tsunami.

The study, Mega-Gifts in American Philanthropy, Volume II: 2001, by Gary A. Tobin, Alexander C. Karp, and Aryeh K. Weinberg, shows that in 2001 American individuals, corporations, and foundations donated nearly $13 billion in mega-gifts (donations over $1 million) without the impetus of a major disaster, including the attacks of September 11. The total for all tsunami relief, both private and governmental, stands to date at approximately $10 billion.

According to the study, the wealthiest Americans annually donate to charitable causes at levels that other peoples and nations barely reach even in the face of a major crisis such as the tsunami.

"Americans are so generous that every year, a number of single donors give gifts that dwarf the aid offered by other countries to those affected by the tsunami," said Gary Tobin, one of the authors of the study. "Americans give at emergency levels every day. When the rest of the world has forgotten about this crisis, Americans will keep giving generously to this and thousands of other causes."

According to Giving USA, published by the American Association of Fundraising Counsel, Americans donated approximately $241 billion in 2003. The next most generous nation, the United Kingdom, donated 7 billion pounds sterling, or approximately $70 billion when adjusted for population differences. France ($20 billion adjusted average 1995-2000) and Germany ($12.25 billion adjusted average 1995-2000) also lag far behind the United States in charitable donations.

Contrary to the tradition of governmental support, which is more pronounced in much of the rest of the developed world, the size and volume of American mega-gifts often creates trends that the American government then follows, according to the Institute's report. When the news of the tsunami reached American households, individuals, foundations, and corporations donated more than $300 million. The United States government then pledged $350 million.

The report also shows that mega-givers open up entirely new areas of philanthropy, encouraging social awareness and action for previously underrepresented needs. Bill and Melinda Gates donated over $350 million in funding for AIDS research in Africa; the American government followed suit with a multi-billion dollar aid package.

The study shows that Americans also demand accountability for their gifts, especially those sent abroad. According to the report, "financial scandals that have plagued global efforts, including the oil for food scandal of the United Nations and the bloated personal bank account of the likes of Yasser Arafat create great skepticism and caution among donors who want to know that the monies they give will actually go for the intended purposes when they donate internationally."

According to the report, the recent debate over American generosity points out "a fundamental difference between Americans and the rest of the world regarding the faith that Americans place in individual choice and the resulting moral vision as expressed through philanthropy."

These findings are based on research conducted under the auspices of the Institute for Jewish & Community Research, San Francisco, an independent, non-partisan think tank, which provides innovative research and pragmatic policy analyses to Jewish and other communities around the world. For more information, see "American Mega-Giving: A Comparison to Global Disaster Relief."

*snip*

Isn't it AMAZING how much a Democratic Republic with a Capitalistic Economy is able to contribute to the "lower rungs" of not only ITS OWN Society but ALL OTHER Societies on Earth, without being FORCED to by their Government?!?!

Anyone else wonder why we have to continually JUSTIFY ourselves and our System to everyone?

Regards,
Gaar

I guess that certain types of people just won't want to get involved in this debate, cause their belief in the evil that is America will be debunked. Typical cowardice.

Isn't it AMAZING how much a Democratic Republic with a Capitalistic Economy is able to contribute to the "lower rungs" of not only ITS OWN Society but ALL OTHER Societies on Earth, without being FORCED to by their Government?!?!

Anyone else wonder why we have to continually JUSTIFY ourselves and our System to everyone?

Regards,
Gaar

I guess there isn't any argument... it looks like people who think the US is stingy have been pwn3d.

The report also shows that mega-givers open up entirely new areas of philanthropy, encouraging social awareness and action for previously underrepresented needs. Bill and Melinda Gates donated over $350 million in funding for AIDS research in Africa; the American government followed suit with a multi-billion dollar aid package.

All the Liberals are likely over on the "Let's BASH Bill Gates" thread because of his WEALTH...

Given what he has done with his money, some of the things they are saying are quite disturbing, if you ask me.

Or they are over on the "Let's BASH Capitalism" thread and won't for a second acknowledge the GREAT WEALTH that has been built here in the U.S. by THAT very Economic "Theory" that has afforded US the OPPORTUNITY to be such a Charitable Nation...

Why is that you think?

Regards,
Gaar

There is more to it than just how much do people give in accordance to the number of the population, how much money do people actually have to give? US has way lower taxes than the other countries mentioned... I'd count in government aid as well...

charity is fun

There is more to it than just how much do people give in accordance to the number of the population, how much money do people actually have to give? US has way lower taxes than the other countries mentioned... I'd count in government aid as well...
But of course, even when comparing the amount given by Canadians, we see that the US still gives more, even in light of taxation.

There is more to it than just how much do people give in accordance to the number of the population, how much money do people actually have to give? US has way lower taxes than the other countries mentioned... I'd count in government aid as well...

If you read what they're saying, even if you combine philanthropy and government aid, the US is way out ahead of everyone else.

For example, when comparing to the amount Germans give, in relation to the population and everything. So, let's see, Germans pay (on average, if I remember correctly) about 60% taxation rate...and the 12.25 billion...and...you can adjust, if you like.

For example, when comparing to the amount Germans give, in relation to the population and everything. So, let's see, Germans pay (on average, if I remember correctly) about 60% taxation rate...and the 12.25 billion...and...you can adjust, if you like.

The study has already done the calculation.

The private donors give more than the German government and the German private donors combined.

For example, when comparing to the amount Germans give, in relation to the population and everything. So, let's see, Germans pay (on average, if I remember correctly) about 60% taxation rate...and the 12.25 billion...and...you can adjust, if you like.

Taxation does not equate to "Charity", how much of the German Governments BUDGET goes to Foreign Aid?

Regards,
Gaar