Americans rely on non-profit organizations and contribute more to charity than do the citizens of any other developed nation. Arthur Brooks, a professor of public administration, shows that this stems from a long civic tradition of private initiatives to solve social problems and satisfy unmet needs. The roots of this tradition can be found in America's unique history, the deep religious involvement of so many Americans, and a popular skepticism about the government's role in redistributing resources to those in need. America may be a nation preoccupied with profit, but it is the non-profit sector and massive private voluntary support for it that truly sets the nation apart from the rest of the world.