CHARITABLE GIVING

Fundamentally, fundraising is for charity. I recently recieved my copy of "Imprimis" which is a free publication from Hillsdale college and can be ordered for Hillsdale.edu. The article is by Adam Meyerson and should be read completely. My comments here, taken from the article, are very limited and can best be understood by reading the entire article.
Mr. Meyerson discusses early contributions to start Hillsdale College. There were lessons to be learned from that experience. 1. Throughout our history, Americans from all walks of life have given generously for charitable causes. The most generous people per unit income are the working poor. 2. Appeals are made to peoples ideals and aspirations and their religious principles. 3. The tradition of private generosity in America has always been central to our free society.
Americans are the most generous people on the earth. Last year $300 billion was given to charity. He outlines three reasons Americans are the most giving. 1. We are the most religious people of any leading modern economy. The most important determinant of charitable giving is active religious faith and observation. 2. We respect freedom. Americans don't wait for goverment or local nobleman to solve our problems, we find solutions ourselves. 3. Philanthropy is such an important part of our nations business culture. Benjamin Franklin founded the first volunteer fire dept. Andrew Carnegie founded community libraries all over the country. Bill Gates is trying to eradicate malaria.
There are threats to charitable giving. 1. One-size-fits-all governance and regulatory proposals that would limit the diversity and independence of the charitable world. 2.Congress has an obligation to ensure that philanthropic assets advance the public good. 3. Goverment should not pass laws that pick winners and losers in philanthropic giving. Our federal and state governments for their part, should respect and defend the freedom that is vital to the American tradition of generous giving.