December 28, 2011: According to a recent report, the United States now ranks number one in a global survey of the most charitable nations. The new World Giving Index (WGI) 2011 report is based on over 150,000 Gallup polling interviews with members of the public in 153 countries. The 2011 report looks at three aspects of giving behavior of individuals in the preceding month, asking if they have donated money to a charity, volunteered time to an organization, or helped a stranger. According to those surveyed, two out of three Americans said they donated money to charity (65 percent), more than two out of five volunteered their time (43 percent) and roughly three out of four helped a stranger (73 percent). In 2010, the United States was ranked at number five.
In spite of economic uncertainty, Americans continue to feel a strong commitment to give back. What is it then that makes Americans so giving?
For many, the journey to give starts with their faith. In fact, several studies have revealed that one’s faith appears to be a primary motivator of philanthropic behavior, of giving and of volunteering for the benefit of others. This practice appears in most major world religions, including Christianity (tithing), Hinduism (dashamamsha), Buddhism (dana), Islam (zakat), and Judaism (ma'aser kesafim). In Sikhism, the fifth largest world religion, there is the tradition of dasvandh – which literally translates to “one tenth” – and speaks to giving a part of one’s time or earnings to those in need. The concept of dasvandh was implicit in the teachings of Guru Nanak, the founder of the Sikh religion. In the time of Guru Amar Das, the third Sikh guru, a formal structure for channelizing Sikh religious giving was evolved and continues to exist within the Sikh community today.
Nevertheless, as one writer notes,
“ People of all religious faiths are equally generous with their time and money. So whatever the reason is, it’s not a reason specific to one religion. There must be factors at work that are common to all major religious groups. ”
Regardless of what motivates us to give, it is clear that there continues to be a great need for aid both locally and globally. So, as we approach the final days of 2011, please do your part in giving.
via chartsbin.com
Citation: World Giving Index, ChartsBin.com, viewed 30th December, 2011,