May 14, 2010

Fifth Annual Index of Global Philanthropy Now Available

by Laura Starita

This week in Washington the Hudson Institute’s Center for Global Prosperity released the fifth annual Index of Global Philanthropy. The Index offers a comprehensive look at the ways in which individuals and organizations contribute financial resources to the developing world, from philanthropic giving to remittances. There are sections on both U.S. giving and on donations that come from non-U.S. developed countries (Full Disclosure: Tim and I wrote this year’s section on international giving). The Index serves as a useful resource in the discussion about funds that go to anti-poverty efforts. For a long time that discussion focused exclusively on official development assistance offered by rich-country governments. The Index shows instead that private philanthropy, foundation grants, corporate donations, and giving by religious organizations and universities to the developing world amount to more than twice as much as those countries receive in official aid.