Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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April 6, 2007

American Philanthropy Not Just for the Wealthy
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=16F3E35:A6F02AD83191E16033B2F40E6DE182169574F7DCC14957C0 While billionaires
like Warren Buffett and Bill and Melinda Gates get more attention,
statistics show most charitable donations in the U.S. come from
average people Each year, Business Week magazine publishes a list of
the 50 Most Generous American Philanthropists based on charitable
donations over the past five years.  Billionaire investor Warren
Buffett ranked first in 2006, followed by Microsoft founder Bill Gates
and his wife Melinda. But the rich are not the only ones giving to
charities. Wang Yiru, with Elaine Lu providing the voiceover on video,
has more on philanthropy in the United States.







Warren BuffettWarren Buffett's stunning announcement last year that he
is donating $31 billion, more than 80 percent of his fortune, to the
Gates Foundation redefined philanthropy. Together, the world's two
richest men hope to fund advances in world healthcare, science and
education.

While the gifts of the rich make splashy headlines, statistics show
most charitable donations in the U.S. come from less prominent
individuals.

Ian Wilhelm, a reporter with the Chronicle of Philanthropy, a
newspaper that focuses on the non-profit sector, says Americans are
generous. "We have a strong spirit of giving in the U.S," he says.
"It's based on the idea of entrepreneur spirit of [Do It Yourself] and
individualism.

"There's also a sense that we need to give money because the
government is not necessarily the best way of giving back to the
society or helping people," he adds. "I think that's one of the
drives. Of course there's [also] religion. The latest study shows U.S.
donation per capita is higher than the U.K., Germany, France, all
lower than the U.S."







Lynwood Campbell

Charitable donations mostly go to non-profit organizations such as
hospitals, churches and schools, and are often tax deductible.

Lynwood Campbell is a board member of the United Way, one of the
largest non-profit organizations in the U.S. "I used to be very busy
when I was young. I didn't have time to volunteer, but I always make
my annual contribution," he says. "When I give, I don't feel I am
losing anything. To me, it's an obligation."

Wilhelm says while there is a tax benefit in charitable giving, people
are more often motivated by the spirit of giving. "Before anyone gives
away a big gift, I am sure they talk to a tax lawyer and make sure
they get the ultimate benefit they can from the gift they're going to
make," he notes. "They want to make sure they make the best deal
possible for them. But I think most people are really motivated by the
spirit of giving and helping others."







Ian Whilhelm

Wilhelm notes that charitable giving does not end with the act of
giving. More and more people are paying attention to how their
donations are used. 

"They're generating a lot of wealth when they're quite a bit younger,"
he says. "They have a different approach, kind of taking over their
entrepreneurial spirit into philanthropy where they want to have a
hands-on control over some of the things they will be giving to. They
really want to see results like businesses would like to see results
in terms of business."

Wilhelm shares a story of how giving inspires others. "Someone once
told me a story that Warren Buffet's gift inspired a seven-year-old
girl who wanted to send $35, her life savings, to the Gates
Foundation," he recalls.







Anthony Johnson

Exceptionally wealthy or not, many people have the innate spirit of
giving, even those who seem to be most in need. 

Anthony Johnson is an AIDS patient who says he tries to do his part.
"You always have to give back," he says. "I have a saying that nobody
can do everything, but everybody can do something. Together, we can do
anything. I would of course want to do my part, my portion."




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