The Almanac of American Philanthropy

by Karl Zinsmeister

Some of the most significant ventures in our nation come from privately funded efforts to solve social problems, enrich culture, and strengthen society. With The Almanac of American Philanthropy, Zinsmeister set out to fill a real gap. Despite America’s uniquely high rates of private giving, no single definitive reference book of that history existed.

The book spans nearly 400 years of American charitable history, functioning more like an encyclopedia of the field of philanthropy.

• Profiles of history’s most influential American donors
• Statistics and polling data on U.S. giving patterns
• The greatest achievements of private American philanthropy
• Quotations and recommended reading on charitable giving

Private philanthropy in the U.S. deserves more credit than it gets. The book is a reference to return to again and again.