World's Most Generous People? Not Us

The rich-poor divide is getting even worse

(NEWSER) - It's "admirable" that Bill Gates and Warren Buffett got their billionaire buddies to pledge huge sums to charity, writes Robert Reich at Salon . Not so admirable is "what this reveals about how much money is now concentrated in so few hands," he says. "It’s more evidence we’re back in the late 19th century when robber barons lorded over the economy and almost everyone else lost ground." More»

(NEWSER) - Habitat for Humanity has received a $100 million gift from a developer in the largest contribution in the charity’s history, the AP reports. J. Ronald Terwilliger said he hoped the gift would “inspire others to make the commitment to support affordable housing.” Habitat says the money will help build 60,000 homes nationwide. A philanthropy watcher said the show of generosity was “remarkable.” More»

Some seek subtlety as neighbors struggle

(NEWSER) - In hard times, big givers are staying out of the spotlight, the Chronicle of Philanthropy reports. Some 19% of donations of $1 million or more in the past 10 months have been anonymous, compared with 3%-5% over the past 10 years. Donors often stay nameless to keep other charities from calling and to hide their giving from friends; both issues “get exacerbated” in a tough economy, says an analyst. More»

Philanthropists clench fists as wealth evaporates

(AP) - Like the rest of the recession-plagued world, Ireland isn’t as affluent as it used to be, but the country is especially weakened now that declining wealth is denting its burgeoning culture of philanthropy, GlobalPost reports. Three years ago, the Irish were Europe’s second-wealthiest citizens, but bad assets have cost them $142 billion—just as demand for donations is growing. More»

Fun intended to hush critics who call film 'poverty porn'

(NEWSER) - To combat accusations that Oscar sensation Slumdog Millionaire is a form of “poverty porn,” the filmmakers have donated about $740,000 toward a health education initiative in Mumbai’s slums, the Times of London reports. The funds are in addition to trusts set up for the movie’s child actors. “Some but not all” who gained from Slumdog’s $90 million profit contributed, the producer says. More»