Yet, among the many who had been turning away from Americans most in need of charity was the philanthropic sector itself.
But it's not the philanthropic sector that's going to convince people to do more online; it's the banks, the hotels and the airline industries.
Americans are also far more charitable than people in other lands, and we structure our tax laws to nurture the philanthropic sector.
The philanthropic sector is showing a growing awareness of these sorts of institutional failures, so initiatives are under way to improve their performance.
Espinosa's career has spanned the government, business, philanthropic and non-profit sectors.
Those who work every day to fight poverty know that when government, nonprofit, corporate and philanthropic sectors join forces, dramatic change happens.
It also makes periodic representations togovernment on behalf of the philanthropic sector.
"The public needs a greater appreciation for what the philanthropic sector does and how important it is to the democratic government we have."
My intention is to devote more time to my other interests, particularly my roles in the public, educational and philanthropic sectors.
But an invigorated city government, with help from a suddenly philanthropic private sector, has done a lot to make the recession a bit easier to take.