Asian-American philanthropy.

Since some of the richest of the rich US Americans “pledged to give” nearly a decade ago, philanthropy has become a broader movement for the affluent. Kirk Semple from the "New York Times" describes how the trend toward philanthropy spread into the Asian-American communities in the USA.
 
The Asian-Americans are the fastest growing group in the US having increased nearly 50% in population during the years between 2000 and 2010. With regard to the ease with which they integrate they are regarded as “Model-Americans”. This population boom together with a shift in attitude created a surge in Asian philanthropy. Philanthropy has a long tradition in Asian societies but was typically directed to relatives, friends and neighbors or to the religious or commercial institutions an individual was directly associated with. Third-party institutions were seen with some skepticism since they proved to be not very trustworthy in the home countries. Now Asian-Americans increasingly give to or institutionalize large philanthropic foundations, the classic US American approach. Some of these foundations channel the money back into projects in the home countries, others support less fortunate individuals in their diaspora. In consequence Asian-Americans have gained prominent positions on boards of renowned hospitals, museums, and universities.
 
This trend to engage in philanthropy is one more reason why Asian-Americans are perceived as role models when it comes to integration. With regard to philanthropy in general, however, the US variant is special because the tax system links “philantropy” strongly with “tax exemption”. In other countries higher income taxes help to translate individual affluence into a social good. Taxing takes into account that generous billionaires are rare, as a recent book by Robert F. Dalzell outlines. In consequence, respect for those giving is more than deserved.