It isn’t clear to me whether this “charitable” giving includes what the federal government doles out in our name, giving which, while usually commendable is different from that given due to personal motivations.
It includes charitable giving from individuals and corporations, not government agencies. It includes all giving, domestic and international.
Charitable giving would be twice this much if the government didn’t milk us for so much in taxes.
This statistic doesn’t include all the undeclared cash donations people give out to help others in need or donated goods (undeducted) offered. I wouldn’t be surprised if all were known, this figure would be astronomical. It also doesn’t include the untold hours people sacrifice (volunteer church and hospital work, Meals on Wheels, disaster help, etc.). Americans are very generous.