From the Axios finish line, here’s a stat to savor: America has been the most generous country in the world for the past decade, according to the Charities Aid Foundation Global Giving Indexwhich surveyed 1.3 million people in 125 countries.
- Not only do we give money, but 72% of Americans help strangers and 42% of us volunteer.
- We grew up more generous during the pandemic: donations in 2020 and 2021 each exceeded those in 2019.
Why is this important: It cuts across religion, region and age, with nearly 60% of Americans giving money Last year. Average donation: $574.
Trend to watch: There’s a surge in the number of people doing Facebook and TikTok fundraisers instead of birthday giveaways. You might roll your eyes at the exhibitionist dimension of public giving…but that beats the alternative.
- Facebook said birthday fundraisers bring in hundreds of millions of dollars a year. Principal recipients are St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the Alzheimer’s Association, the American Cancer Society, and No Kid Hungry.
- Try it.
An even more recent wave to surf in real time: Book an Airbnb stay in Ukraine – not to visit but as a way to send money to a family in need.
- Last week, 61,000 nights were booked with Airbnb in Kyiv and other cities, 34,000 of them by Americans.
- Try it.
Tip to get there: Be careful when giving. These four sites, all recommended by the Federal Trade Commission, allow you to check whether a charity is reputable:
And remember, if you want a deduction, you can make sure the charity qualifies by contacting the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search.
Editor’s note: This story was originally published on March 8.
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