The Inside Story of the “Charity” of American Foundations

Abstract

In America, the “philanthropists” who establish charitable foundations are not as selfless as people imagine. Capitalists who establish foundations are able not only to enjoy the benefits of tax exemptions and wealth transfers, but can also make huge capital gains through the operations of these foundations in the marketplace. Meanwhile, benefiting from the interaction between the foundations and the government, the capitalists can expand their own influence and enhance their own profitability, while aiding the global expansion of American diplomatic politics and cultural values.

Keywords:

• foundation
• charity
• abnormal capitalist enterprise
• tax
• wealth transfer

Notes

¹See: http://docs.gatesfoundation.org/about/documents/2005financialstmts.pdf.

²See: http://docs.gatesfoundation.org/about/documents/2003financialstmts.pdf.

³See: http://docs.gatesfoundation.org/about/documents/2009-foundation-financial-statements.pdf.

⁴See: http://www.rockefellerfoundation.org/about-us/annual-reports.

⁵See: http://www.heritage.org/index/ranking.