Philanthropy in the United States
overview about philanthropy in the United States of America
Philanthropy in the United States is the practice of voluntary, charitable giving by individuals, corporations and foundations to benefit important social needs. Its long history dates back to the early colonial period, when Puritans founded Harvard College and other institutions. Philanthropy has been a major source of funding for various sectors, such as religion, higher education, health care, and the arts. Philanthropy has also been influenced by different social movements, such as abolitionism, women's rights, civil rights, and environmentalism. Some of the most prominent philanthropists in American history include George Peabody, Andrew Carnegie, John D. Rockefeller, Henry Ford, Herbert Hoover, and Bill Gates.
Statistics indicate the United States is the most generous country in the world over the decade until December 2019.
As of 2023, the majority of charitable dollars in the U.S. went to religion (24%), education (14%), human services (14%), grantmaking foundations (13%), public-society benefit (10%). In 2023, the largest source of charitable giving came from individuals, who gave $374.40 billion, representing 67% of total giving, according to the Giving USA (Giving USA 2024: The Annual Report on Philanthropy for the Year 2023, a publication of Giving USA Foundation, 2024, researched and written by the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy.)
Colonial era
Established and voluntary religion
What would become an American tradition of giving is seen as early as 1630 when Puritan John Winthrop shared a sermon called "A Model on Christian Charity" while on board the ship Arbella. (John Winthrop: Biography as History; Francis J. Bremer; Continuum; 2009) In this sermon, Winthrop shared an ideal that people coming to this new land create a "city on a hill" to serve as an example to others of fulfilling "great responsibilities" like caring for the less fortunate. (http://history.hanover.edu/texts/winthmod.html)
Taxes from local and colonial government supported the established churches in New England, which were Congregational, and in the South, which were Anglican.
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