Lecture Highlights the Role of Philanthropy and Volunteerism in the U.S.

Schwabach, May 8 – Instead of attending class in their elective courses, the students from the English Book Club, International Business Administration, and Mathematics Additum gathered for an insightful guest lecture on the subject of “Donating Time and Money: The Non-Profit Sector, Philanthropy, and Volunteerism in the U.S.” Dr. Jonah Otto from the Chair of Business Management and Organization at the University of Augsburg had been invited to the Staatliche Fachoberschule Schwabach by Ms Kauntz in cooperation with the Deutsch Amerikanisches Institut (DAI) to present a compelling comparison between charitable practices in Germany and in the United States.

During the 90minute session, Dr. Otto revealed the vast scale of the American nonprofit sector: U.S. citizens donate around $450 billion each year, with about 63 million Americans (approx. 25% population) volunteering an average of 52 hours per year or one hour per week. This contrasts with Germany, where private donations amount to €5 billion annually, and volunteers typically contribute 20 hours per year. The U.S. nonprofit sector includes roughly 1.5 million nonprofit organizations and employs over 10% of the workforce, whereas in Germany, about 3% of the workforce is employed by approximately 600,000 organizations.

Dr. Otto explained these figures historically and culturally. In the U.S., the roots of philanthropy lie in a tradition of independent citizenship and mutual aid, particularly in rural and remote areas where government support was scarce. Private initiatives often stepped in where state support was limited, and social responsibility became a hallmark of the wealthy. By contrast, in Germany the social welfare state has traditionally provided a broader safety net, with nonprofit clubs and associations filling smaller societal gaps. In both nations, the motivations behind giving and volunteering include altruism, tax incentives, legacy-building, and professional fundraising appeals — especially effective during the end-of-year giving season. Volunteerism, in the U.S. particularly, is fostered by a desire for social connection, skill development, career advancement or a sense of civic identity.

The session concluded with a look at emerging trends and debates in the U.S. nonprofit sector, including issues on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), especially funding for minority-led groups. The growing influence of technology — from AI tools used in donor targeting and impact tracking to concerns about data privacy — and ongoing scrutiny over political spending by specific nonprofit organizations are hot topics that were addressed in the lecture as well.

The faculty and students would like to extend their sincere thanks to Dr. Jonah Otto for delivering this engaging presentation. With rich data, historical and cultural insight as well as thought-provoking questions, Dr. Otto granted a nuanced depiction of how American society organizes civic responsibility and what powerful a role the nonprofit sector including foundations plays in shaping public life. The school looks forward to welcoming Dr. Otto again in the future with a session on a similarly intriguing subject to enrich students’ academic and global perspectives.

Written by Marion Kauntz (OStRin)