5/4/07

Google finds disturbing charity gap

A new study commissioned by Google.org reinforces a disturbing and often-ignored truth about charitable giving in the U.S.

Giving by individual Americans totals over four times that of foundation and corporate giving combined, says Sheryl Sandberg, a board member of Google.org.

While most Americans who give to charity believe most of their donations help those most in need, the study says, less than one-third of giving by individuals in 2005 actually helped people who are economically disadvantaged.

The needs of the poor throughout the world also get the short end of giving, she says, with only 8 percent of all individual giving by Americans supporting international causes of any kind.

“The world’s poorest are virtually ignored by the philanthropic giving of citizens of the world’s wealthiest nation,” Sandberg says.

[Excerpt of an article by Todd Cohen, Philanthropy Journal]

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