Charitable Giving

Abstract

The author starts with the observation that charitable giving is a big business, especially in the United States, where as much as $120 billion a year is estimated as the total of charitable contributions by individuals. She then questions what really motivates wealthy families to give to charities at all. Listing and discussing the various motivations frequently offered, she begs to disagree and submits that the true motivation for most family giving programs is instinctive and sympathetic. She concludes that, at the heart or foundation of charitable giving, we see an urge to help others to whom we can relate—whether in the neighborhood or around the globe—and suggests that this urge is instinctive and emotional. When we give in the best sense we give from a love of mankind.