Just When You Thought all the Giving News is Bad
So much of the news, in the nonprofit space, has been at a minimum not positive, and at most negative. But it’s not all bad news.
In a recent article in the Nonprofit Times (https://thenonprofittimes.com/npt_articles/american-donors-respond-best-to-disasters/) based on an online survey within the United States by The Harris Poll, on behalf of Vanguard Charitable, the generosity of Americans, those giving to those in need based on a disaster, shines through. According to the survey, 59% of American households had given a philanthropic gift in support of some type of crisis or disaster (e.g., natural disaster, humanitarian crisis, economic crisis). That is a 22% increase over a similar study/survey last year at the same time.
Beyond that, nearly 3/4 of American households had made some type of charitable gift or volunteered in the last 12 months, as self-reported. That tracks with similar numbers from just 12 months ago.
While there are well-articulated and identified questions in philanthropy, mostly stemming from economic strife and household income challenges, the spirit of giving and making a difference is still very much alive in the United States. Working in other countries with clients as I do, the United States is still the shining beacon of generosity and exhibiting the desire to help others. It’s a part, not only of our culture but the allure of what makes America so aspirational from an international perspective.
While not nearly perfect, and with many challenges, our country and those who live in it are still considered leaders in helping others. There’s always room for improvement, but it’s also appropriate to recognize the amazing generosity of those in our country.
