This really is an under-promoted aspect of civic life in the United States. I have had conversations with colleagues in other countries who have told me that there is no – or very little – culture of “giving back.” It is huge here, and not enough people know about it.
http://givingusa.org/giving-usa-2015-press-release-giving-usa-americans-donated-an-estimated-358-38-billion-to-charity-in-2014-highest-total-in-reports-60-year-history/