In other news (apolitical thread)...

[utee94]

This list is useless without context.  What percentage of their net worth do all Americans on average give over their lifetimes?

Actually, upon reflection, the list is fine.  It tells what it tells, about these specific individuals, assuming it's correct and factual.

It's the assertion of the story headline and text-- that "America's richest people are not its most generous"-- that are useless without context.

If average Americans only donate 0.05% of their net worth over their lifetimes, then these billionaires actually are among the most generous citizens.  If average Americans donate 10% of their net worth over their lifetimes, then the story's assertion would appear to be correct.  But no context = no value.

[FearlessF]

This list is useless without context.  What percentage of their net worth do all Americans on average give over their lifetimes?

AI Overview
While the United States is among the most philanthropic nations, Americans do not, on average, give a high percentage of their total lifetime net worth to charity. For most of the last 60 years, annual charitable giving has hovered around 2% of total disposable income.
Data on lifetime giving as a percentage of net worth is primarily tracked for the ultra-wealthy rather than the average American, with findings suggesting the following:
Average Citizens: Charitable giving typically represents about 2-3% of annual income, not net worth.
The Ultra-Wealthy (Forbes 400): According to 2025 data, the 400 richest Americans have collectively given away only about 4.6% of their lifetime net worth to charity.
The "Giving Pledge" Signatories: Despite a pledge to donate at least 50% of their fortunes, only a tiny fraction of billionaires have actually done so, with many having donated less than 5% of their wealth.
Key Takeaways on Giving Trends:
Wealth vs. Giving: Surprisingly, a higher net worth does not always correspond to a higher percentage of wealth given away. In fact, as wealth grows, the percentage given often shrinks because assets grow faster than donations.
Giving Drivers: Lower-income households sometimes exhibit high, "sacrificial" giving rates (double-digit percentages of income) due to religious or community ties, while some wealthy individuals prioritize passing on assets to heirs.
Declining Participation: The percentage of American households giving to charity has decreased, from 56% in 2014 to 47% in 2020.

[utee94]

AI slop

[FearlessF]

It's the assertion of the story headline and text-- that "America's richest people are not its most generous"-- that are useless without context.

most of us here know derned well that headlines are bold faced lies and click bait

[FearlessF]

AI slop

yup, but I'm lazy.  Especially when I don't really care

[utee94]

yup, but I'm lazy.  Especially when I don't really care

Yeah, same here.  I was just posing the question academically.  I absolutely don't care enough to go do the actual research.

[MikeDeTiger]

It also lacks context because the makeup of "net worth" is vague.  

A lot of middle class people's net worth could be relatively liquid.  A lot of billionaire types are not.  While you can donate all manner of holdings, the most helpful is often liquid.  I don't mean to say that the uber-rich couldn't be donating more--I have no idea--but I do know that the idea that these people "have $50 billion dollars" is rampant, and false.  They don't have that money sitting around in banks which they can donate to charities.  They own stocks and land and such.  

I'm assuming most charitable giving comes from liquid funds, regardless of net worth category.  Seems that a more fair comparison would be what percentage of liquidity do various demographics give (if such data can even be gathered).  

[847badgerfan]

We're at about 5 percent.

[FearlessF]

stocks and land can be donated

I think Buffet donates mostly stocks

[MikeDeTiger]

stocks and land can be donated

I think Buffet donates mostly stocks

Yes, but there are far less entities to distribute it to.  I know dozens of local charities and organizations that aren't set up to accept anything like that.  They mainly take liquid money.  That's why I say anything can be donated, but it isn't always as helpful, and there's less places to donate it to.  

That said, there are probably more outfits that can accept land and stocks than people might think.  

[Temp430]

The FAA closed El Paso's airspace and adjoining airspace in New Mexico for the next ten days for a national security reason.


https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/faa-halts-all-flights-el-paso-international-airport-10-days-special-security-reasons

[847badgerfan]

I wonder what's up. All travel suspended is extreme.