2007年VOAAmerican Philanthropy Not Just for the Wealthy标准英语-

By Wang Yiru
Washington
05 April 2007
 
Watch American Philanthropy report

Each year, Business Week magazine publishes a list of the 50 Most Generous American Philanthropists based on charitable donations over the past five years.  Billionaire investor¹ Warren Buffett ranked first in 2006, followed by Microsoft founder² Bill Gates and his wife Melinda. But the rich are not the only ones giving to charities. Wang Yiru, with Elaine Lu providing the voiceover on video, has more on philanthropy in the United States.

 
Warren Buffett
Warren Buffett's stunning³ announcement last year that he is donating $31 billion, more than 80 percent of his fortune, to the Gates Foundation redefined philanthropy. Together, the world's two richest men hope to fund advances in world healthcare, science and education.

While the gifts of the rich make splashy headlines, statistics show most charitable donations in the U.S. come from less prominent individuals.

Ian Wilhelm, a reporter with the Chronicle of Philanthropy, a newspaper that focuses on the non-profit sector⁴, says Americans are generous. "We have a strong spirit of giving in the U.S," he says. "It's based on the idea of entrepreneur spirit of [Do It Yourself] and individualism.

"There's also a sense that we need to give money because the government is not necessarily the best way of giving back to the society or helping⁵ people," he adds. "I think that's one of the drives. Of course there's [also] religion. The latest study shows U.S. donation per capita is higher than the U.K., Germany, France, all lower than the U.S."

 
Lynwood Campbell

Charitable donations mostly go to non-profit organizations such as hospitals, churches and schools, and are often tax deductible.

Lynwood Campbell is a board member of the United Way, one of the largest non-profit organizations in the U.S. "I used to be very busy when I was young. I didn't have time to volunteer, but I always make my annual contribution," he says. "When I give, I don't feel I am losing anything. To me, it's an obligation."

Wilhelm says while there is a tax benefit in charitable giving, people are more often motivated by the spirit of giving. "Before anyone gives away a big gift, I am sure they talk to a tax lawyer and make sure they get the ultimate benefit they can from the gift they're going to make," he notes. "They want to make sure they make the best deal possible for them. But I think most people are really motivated by the spirit of giving and helping others."

 
Ian Whilhelm

Wilhelm notes that charitable giving does not end with the act of giving. More and more people are paying attention to how their donations are used. 

"They're generating a lot of wealth when they're quite a bit younger," he says. "They have a different approach, kind of taking over their entrepreneurial spirit into philanthropy where they want to have a hands-on control over some of the things they will be giving to. They really want to see results like businesses would like to see results in terms of business."

Wilhelm shares a story of how giving inspires others. "Someone once told me a story that Warren Buffet's gift inspired a seven-year-old girl who wanted to send $35, her life savings⁶, to the Gates Foundation," he recalls.

 
Anthony Johnson

Exceptionally wealthy or not, many people have the innate⁷ spirit of giving, even those who seem to be most in need. 

Anthony Johnson is an AIDS patient who says he tries to do his part. "You always have to give back," he says. "I have a saying that nobody can do everything, but everybody can do something. Together, we can do anything. I would of course want to do my part, my portion."

 

1 investor   

n.投资者，投资人

参考例句：

• My nephew is a cautious investor.我侄子是个小心谨慎的投资者。
• The investor believes that his investment will pay off handsomely soon.这个投资者相信他的投资不久会有相当大的收益。

2 Founder   

n.创始者，缔造者

参考例句：

• He was extolled as the founder of their Florentine school.他被称颂为佛罗伦萨画派的鼻祖。
• According to the old tradition,Romulus was the founder of Rome.按照古老的传说，罗穆卢斯是古罗马的建国者。

3 stunning   

adj.极好的；使人晕倒的

参考例句：

• His plays are distinguished only by their stunning mediocrity.他的戏剧与众不同之处就是平凡得出奇。
• The finished effect was absolutely stunning.完工后的效果非常美。

4 sector   

n.部门，部分；防御地段，防区；扇形

参考例句：

• The export sector will aid the economic recovery. 出口产业将促进经济复苏。
• The enemy have attacked the British sector.敌人已进攻英国防区。

5 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。

6 savings   

n.存款，储蓄

参考例句：

• I can't afford the vacation,for it would eat up my savings.我度不起假，那样会把我的积蓄用光的。
• By this time he had used up all his savings.到这时，他的存款已全部用完。

7 innate   

adj.天生的，固有的，天赋的

参考例句：

• You obviously have an innate talent for music.你显然有天生的音乐才能。
• Correct ideas are not innate in the mind.人的正确思想不是自己头脑中固有的。