U.S. ranks high in giving

The United States tied with Switzerland for fifth place in a “world giving index” by the British-based Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) that measured charitable behavior across the globe.

The ranking in the “World Giving Index 2010” was based on the U.S.’s showing in three categories — 60 percent of Americans gave to an organization, 39 percent volunteered for a group and 65 percent were willing to aid a stranger.

Australia and New Zealand were ranked as the most charitable countries, followed by Ireland and Canada. “When it comes to philanthropy, Americans do a lot … and can always do more,” said Janet Boyd, president of CAF America, a member organization of the foundation that issued the report. (RNS)