Reflecting on the first two decades of our foundation
I have a different question -- why is philanthropy on this scale such a predominantly American phenomenon?  And even on smaller, less mega-wealthy scales?  Why is European wealth not associated with charitable foundations and such kinds of global funding?<p>Is it because the role of the state is supposed to be so much greater in Europe?  Whereas in the US, personal &#x2F; family charity takes the place of a less encompassing social role of government?<p>Just doing some random searching, I find reports that US charitable giving is 2 to 5x greater than in European countries (as share of GDP).<p>Maybe it&#x27;s also tied up in the US tendency to give donations to political causes, etc?  Or the idea that the newness of American cities, towns led to a culture of people contributing to civic works (whereas in Europe, most things already &quot;existed&quot;)?   Like how in the US, universities had to be founded and funded by benefactors in an ongoing way, whereas in Europe, they&#x27;re so old and &quot;set for life&quot; that they don&#x27;t need alumni to support them (or are more fully funded by the state)?