By Tom Purcell

Americans are the most generous people on Earth.

After charitable giving dipped during the COVID years — when inflation, lockdowns and economic strain made it harder for average families to give — American generosity has rebounded.

In 2024, U.S. charitable giving reached $592.5 billion, climbing past pre-pandemic levels even after adjusting for inflation — encouraging news as another holiday season begins.

I first began exploring the myths and truths of American charity nearly 20 years ago after watching John Stossel’s classic 20/20 report, “Are Americans Cheap?”

Stossel showed how deeply generosity is woven into the American character. Even with massive government welfare programs, he reported then, Americans have always stepped up, giving directly to the people who ne

See Full Page