Peggy and I have always hoped our legacy would be two fold. The first is to encourage caregiving and caregivers. The second is to encourage philanthropy. Both of these intentional legacies will be dealt with extensively and continuously over the life of this website which is the reflection of Deogratias.co.At this point, however, i want to make a couple of comments about philanthropy in order to encourage our friends. What follows below is an excerpt from a report by Charity Navigator which demonstrates the heartening truth that Philanthropy is not a function of wealth. In fact, as I have learned through experience as administrator, fundraiser and teacher, the vast majority of Philanthropic Dollars comes from people with modest means.In that regard, permit me a personal anecdote. Peggy and I began our “formal philanthropic work” in 1968 on the occassion of the birth of our fourth child Rachel Irene. In celebration we adopted a baby through Save the Children for $15 a month. The details of that commitment is on this website elsewhere. That’s all for now.– Bill Stott
As in previous years, the majority of that giving came from individuals. Specifically, individuals gave $264.58 billion, accounting for 71% of all giving and representing a 3.8% increase over 2014 (3.7% when adjusted for inflation).
Historically, as we saw in 2014, donations from individuals account for over two-thirds of all donations. If you add in gifts from bequests and family foundations, which are essentially gifts from individuals, then the category accounts for nearly 80% of all giving. In other words, the donating public, not big foundations or corporations, is responsible for the vast majority of annual donations.
Source: Charity Navigator