Why do donors give money for the construction of museums or for research? Why do people give to humanitarian aid? And what are the social consequences of these philanthropic acts? These questions are illuminated by the studies in this volume from the perspective of historical research, but also of political science and sociology. In the center stands the comparison between the American and the German tradition of giving and donations. In addition, the authors examine the extent to which a transatlantic cultural transfer in the field of philanthropy and private funding of public concern took place. The volume provides the first meeting of American and German specialists on the subject. German text.