“Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.”
— Archbishop Desmond Tutu
the power of giving
We live in times that challenge the strength and resilience of our spirits; that call upon us to engage the world with open minds and hearts and to treat ourselves and each other with kindness, grace, and generosity; and that compel us to consider what responsibilities we have for creating a future that is more sustainable, equitable, caring, and just.
Addressing effectively the complex, unrelenting, and dislocating challenges we face requires our collective commitment to engage each other and the world we share in ways that empower our capacities to thrive individually and together.
Our actions, and our inactions, matter. And our potential to work creatively and collaboratively to build the common good is limitless.
Explore below to learn about the power of giving.
the nonprofit sector & the common good
Nonprofit organizations that are independent, receive voluntary contributions, and do not distribute profits comprise the so-called “third sector” and are positioned between governmental (“first sector”) and business (“second sector”) entities.
The boundaries between governmental, business, and nonprofit sector organizations are intertwined.
Within American society, nonprofit, or charitable, organizations play an instrumental role in promoting the common good by helping to form and strengthen communities. The large and diverse nonprofit sector encompasses voluntary associations, charitable organizations, community groups, foundations, and a broad range of private organizations.
Organizations that only operate charitable activities are classified under Section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code. More than 86 million people are invested in the work of over 1 million registered U.S. nonprofit 501(c)3 organizations. These organizations are the focus of our work within the Philanthropy as Civic Engagement course.
The sections that follow offer nationwide, statewide, and citywide snapshots of the nonprofit sector and philanthropic giving.
nonprofit California
nonprofit Los Angeles
philanthropic giving in the U.S.
“Philanthropy” is voluntary giving by an individual or group to promote the common good.
In many cases, philanthropic gifts are made to nonprofit—or charitable—organizations that, in turn, work for the causes of poverty or social problems, thus improving the quality of life for all citizens.
As illustrated below, philanthropic giving comes from multiple sources and supports a variety of activities.
where does the generosity come from?
where do the charitable dollars go?
where does the philanthropy as civic engagement course give?
The Philanthropy as Civic Engagement course focuses on four major areas of giving.
Explore these interests and their impacts below.
arts & culture
civil rights & human services
environmental & animal interests
health & wellness
sources and more information
