The best way to see the value of nonprofits, foundations, and corporate giving programs is through their work. 

Sometimes people benefit without being aware of the reach of the sector. Visitors can enjoy a great urban park and never realize that charitable organizations are major contributors to the gardens, playgrounds, paths, and programs. Parents of children receiving polio shots may not know that one charitable group led the campaign to develop and distribute the vaccine and another funded much of its development. And people may not remember that the air and water that surrounds them is far cleaner because of how nonprofits have worked with government to reduce pollution.

Most of the time, Americans do appreciate how charitable organizations are improving lives across the country and around the world. They know that private support helps universities prepare youth for lifelong contributions to society, and that victims of disasters are helped in profound ways by nimble and timely intervention from charitable relief agencies. Communities across America are grateful for the museum, theater, dance, and music programs that grace their lives and for the assistance community day care programs offer to the very young and very old. richly varied programs of the charitable community.