Some say philanthropy "may encompass any altruistic activity which is intended to promote good or improve human quality of life." Others, "such as Friedrich Nietzsche and Ayn Rand, opposed philanthropy on philosophical grounds, connecting it with the idea of the weak sponging off the strong." Still others, such as social activists, "frequently criticize philanthropic contributions by corporations whom activists consider 'suspect'."
Whatever you say, here are some 2005 numbers in the United States, from Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine:
$199 billion – Amount that individuals gave to charities in 2005, up about three percent from 2004, adjusted for inflation.
77 percent – Percentage of total charitable contributions that come from individuals.
2.2 percent – Average percentage of disposable income families donate to charity.
8.6 percent – Decrease, adjusted for inflation, in the value of all charitable bequests between 2004 and 2005.
50 percent – Percentage of adults who say it’s easier to give money than time to charity, up 13 percent from 2004.
