Hudson Institute Releases Index of Philanthropic Freedom

WASHINGTON, June 15, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Hudson Institute's Center for Global Prosperity (CGP) today has released the Index of Philanthropic Freedom, the first global study to measure and compare the incentives and barriers to giving.

The new Index provides a detailed analysis of the legal barriers and incentives to philanthropy in both developed and developing countries. Local experts from 64 countries participated in the study, which includes country-specific reports, trends, and policy recommendations.

The full report can be found here: http://bit.ly/IndexPF2015.
An interactive map graphic can be found here: http://bit.ly/IndexMap2015.

"The Index provides a roadmap on which policies are needed to improve the giving environment in all countries," says Dr. Carol Adelman, senior fellow and director of the Center for Global Prosperity at Hudson Institute. "Our research shows how to make non-profit registration easier, create the best tax incentives, and improve cross-border flows to grow generosity everywhere."

Study findings contradict the notion that developed countries have the most conducive laws and regulations on philanthropy. Of countries with per capita incomes of less than $25,000, 36 percent had philanthropic freedom scores in the top half of the study.

Additional findings include the success of The Philippines, which rank in the top third of philanthropic freedom scores, as reflected in the nation's quick and successful recovery after Typhoon Haiyan in 2013. Qatar, a wealthy Gulf Coast state, has one of highest GDPs in the world yet ranks second from the bottom on philanthropic freedom.

The launch of the Index took place today at a conference at the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the Paris-based organization that measures governments' development aid levels and programs. The conference is looking at the new landscape of foreign aid and the role that private financial flows play in sustainable development. Recommendations will be made for the implementation of the new UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the economic and social aid targets being set for countries to achieve by the year 2035.

The study was made possible through the support of the Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation, the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, the International Development Research Centre, the John Templeton Foundation, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. 

For all media inquiries, please contact Carolyn Stewart, [email protected]. Dr. Carol Adelman and country-specific Index partners are available for interview.

Hudson Institute is an independent research organization promoting new ideas for the advancement of global security, prosperity and freedom. http://www.hudson.org.

SOURCE Hudson Institute

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