Hudson Institute publishes first Index of Global Philanthropy. After four years of research, the Hudson Institute's first Index of Global Philanthropy has thrown up some interesting results, including the fact that overseas-bound U.S. private giving far outstrips U.S. government aid to the world's emerging economies. The report, released by the Hudson Institute's Center for Global Prosperity (CGP), says that U.S. private philanthropy to developing countries came to philanthropy at $71 billion in 2004, which was about three and a half times more than the government sent to help developing countries that year. |image1| But the first Index report isn't just about the numbers, says CGP director Carol Adelman. "It's about the remarkable stories of private philanthropy. The traditional foundations, such as Ford and Rockefeller, spawned higher education and the green revolution in poor countries. The new breed of philanthropists is bringing business techniques, accountability, transparency, and results to remote villages in need."

The report says the Index of Global Philanthropy puts into question the value of the Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development's (OECD) annual report on philanthropy, which views giving solely as a function of government aid. In fact the CGP calls the OECD's efforts to measure global philanthropy "outdated and incomplete."

In any case, private giving can be more efficient than government aid, says the CGP, cutting through bureaucracy and overhead costs to channel funds and monitoring directly where they're needed.

"The private aid presented in the Index of Global Philanthropy - from foundations, corporations, individuals, churches, voluntary organizations and universities - can be more effective because it goes directly to people in need, costs less through the use of volunteers, and creates jobs and lasting institutions in poor countries," says Adelman. -FWR

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