GIVING

With the coming of July 4th, we enter the month we celebrate our country, its people, and its heritage. The people of the Untied States of America - even though studies have shown that we give only a small portion of our wealth and that we could give much more comfortably - are the most giving, charitable and benevolent society in the history of man. In most foreign countries, including England, charity is managed by the government.

Whenever a local, regional, national or international tragedy strikes, Americans are in the forefront to respond by opening their pocketbooks and their arms to help "your tired, your poor, your troubled masses, who yearn to breathe free". Witness the billions of dollars that flowed in to help the victims of "9-11" and the countless natural disasters such as tornadoes and hurricanes (Charley, Katrina and Wilma to name a few) when we sent not only our money, but many volunteers to help in time of need.

Some would argue that we give money to charity only because of the tax benefits we get from giving. But history belies that theory. The federal income tax only became legal following the adoption of the 16th Amendment in 1913. Initially, Income Tax was used to help fund World War I and only to supplement the primary source of revenue, which was customs duties, before the 1935 Tax Act. Prior to that time in our history, all of the major universities, hospitals, church denominations, and charitable institutions had already come into being, most in the early days of our nation.

But in enacting the income tax laws, government realized that in a free society the "private sector" should be its partner in attending to the societal needs and problems. For example, under the current tax law you can deduct up to 50 percent of your adjusted gross income annually for cash gifts, give appreciated assets up to 30 percent of your annual income without paying capital gains tax, and give up to 100 percent of your assets to charity at death, and pay no tax.

For this we should be thankful, because history has also shown that the private sector- where people give

because they want to

help - is much more efficient than government help.

And the thrust of the private sector's giving is not just to feed, clothe, house, and lift up those in need, but to teach others how to take care of themselves.

One of the great charitable benefactors in American history, Andrew Carnegie is reputed to have said, "Why should we not spend the same thought, energy, and imagination in disposing of our wealth (for good and noble causes) as we have expended in acquiring it." Wise words from an historic American benefactor.

God Bless America - land that we love. And, God Bless all who have, who are now, or who will in the future give a part of the blessings they have been entrusted with, to make this community, this country, and this world a better place.

The Southwest Florida Community Foundation has been supporting the communities of Lee, Charlotte, Collier, Glades and Hendry through endowed funds for nearly 32 years. With assets of more than $57 million and over 320 endowed funds, the Community Foundation has provided more than $30 million in grants and scholarships to the communities it serves.

For more information, please call 274-5900, or visit their web site at www.floridacommunity.com.