CGD research fellow David Roodman is quoted in this VOA article about Warren Buffett's decision to donate $31 billion to the Gates Foundation.
From the article:
David Roodman of the Center for Global Development in Washington cites an OECD (Organization for Economic Development and Cooperation) study saying the U.S. ranks fourth worldwide in private giving to foreign countries, after Norway, Ireland and Switzerland. "We give about 10 cent, per person, per day in private aid out of our own pockets to poorer countries, which puts us at number four among the usual list of rich countries, which has about 21 countries on it. So we're four out of 21," he said.
Roodman says 80 to 90 percent of all American charitable gifts stay in the United States. He said he hopes Buffett's and Gates' generosity will inspire other Americans to give even more to the least fortunate. "I think what Warren Buffett and Bill Gates may do is to change how everyday, regular Americans think about where to send their money and that could be a good thing," he said.
