In a time when the news makes American culture look increasingly selfish, partisan, destructive and corrupt, it so happens that ordinary people across the country are remarkably caring and generous to others.
This is, too, a nation of philanthropists.Individuals here give $110 billion to charity in a year. That is 10 times the amount of giving by all the foundations in the United States combined. It is more than the gross domestic product of scores of nations around the world. What's more, 93 million Americans do volunteer work, averaging four hours per week each.
These are some findings of the National Survey on Philanthropy and Civic Renewal, established by The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation, to determine how private giving in the United States might better help the neediest people and the most distressed communities.
What the survey learned is that 80 percent of giving comes from people with incomes of less than $100,000 per year. And the percentage of personal income given away has remained stable at 1.9 percent since the mid-1970s, even as tax rates have fluctuated wildly.
Why do Americans give so much and so consistently?
"Put simply," says the report, "some people engage in philanthropic activity because it makes them feel good."
Yet the report goes on to conclude that is an insufficient justification, and people also give according to what they feel they are able to accomplish. As for why one individual will give personal time and money to a certain cause, the report quotes political scientist James Q. Wilson: "Restoring dignity and autonomy to people is done one person at a time. In military terms, it is not achieved by air raids but by hand-to-hand combat."
Thus, by more than three to one, Americans surveyed disagree with the notion that "most charities only do work the government should really be doing." To flip the perspective, Americans are nearly unanimous (96 percent) in agreeing that "no matter how much the government does, there is important work for private charities to do."
Six out of 10 Americans report volunteering their time to some charity or civic endeavor within the past year. Nearly one in four has done fund-raising or recruited others to volunteer within the same period.
Overall, 20 percent of those surveyed think volunteering time to community service is "absolutely essential," and 25 percent believe it is their "obligation as an American." But more than half, or 54 percent, feel that is "entirely a matter of personal preference."
Looking beyond pure philanthropy, the report tried to assess various ways that responsibility to others is felt. It determined that 77 percent think it's essential to report a crime that one has witnessed, 80 percent think it's essential to take action if we hear someone screaming or being attacked, and 85 percent consider it essential to "treat all people equally regardless of race or ethnic background."
Among the 1,010 randomly selected adults who were surveyed, the median amount given to charity was $500.
The overwhelming majority, or 79 percent, said they would prefer to remain anonymous when they contribute money or volunteer time. Only 8 percent said they would prefer that people know about their charity.