America stands as the strongest, wealthiest, and most generous nation on earth—a beacon of liberty, equality, and opportunity founded on God-given rights. Our nation’s founding principles have made us a force for good, inspiring humanitarian aid around the globe. Yet as we extend our hand overseas, we must ask: Are we truly living up to the promise of our ideals when government programs fall short at home?
For years, the United States has led the world in humanitarian giving, investing billions of dollars annually in foreign aid. Agencies like USAID have long been celebrated for their charitable intentions. However, recent findings by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) reveal a stark truth: too often, government-run programs are plagued by waste, fraud, and a lack of accountability. Even when the projects themselves are commendable, bureaucratic inefficiencies and politically driven agendas have diverted precious resources from those who need them most.
Thanks to the efforts of DOGE, federal funding will increasingly focus on areas that truly need government intervention. For all else, we need to utilize free-market solutions to compassionately deliver effective aid to those in most need of assistance.
It’s time for our nation’s philanthropic spending to prioritize the wellbeing of our own citizens, rather than fueling the growing trend of corporate giving to predetermined causes that often waste consumers' funds.
The core of our national strength lies not in bloated bureaucracies but in the ingenuity and compassion of everyday Americans. Local community organizations, private institutions, and even forward-thinking American companies have proven that effective, ethical philanthropy doesn’t require layers of government oversight. True compassion cannot be mandated by the government.
Corporate and government philanthropy, detached from a true understanding of local needs, is no substitute for individuals and communities coming together to support causes they care about. Empowering citizens to decide how to give back to their communities will lead to more efficient, impactful aid that reflects our true American values.
Some of the most effective philanthropic efforts happen on a local level, through churches, schools, and grassroots organizations. These smaller institutions are deeply connected to their communities and are more accountable than large, impersonal organizations. If we empower American consumers to support these grassroots organizations, the impact of our domestic and international philanthropy will be greatly enhanced.
Across the country, Coign, a conservative financial services company is leading the charge by grounding philanthropic giving in American values and consumer choice. Coign does not engage in politicized spending—such as the politically charged diversity, equity, and inclusion programs funded overseas—and instead invests in organizations – often recommended by their customers – that are headquartered in the communities they serve which allows them to better understand the needs of their neighbors and meet them. These initiatives support critical issues like disaster relief, child abuse prevention, and assistance for veterans and their families, ensuring that our aid reaches American neighborhoods in need.
As Coign’s founder, I’ve seen firsthand how values-aligned philanthropy can make a real difference. Coign enables our customers to vote for the charities that matter most to them. Coign donates a portion of every transaction to fully vetted, community-focused causes, and we are already on track to donate a million dollars this year. This approach is a testament to the power of free-market principles and consumer choice: when people decide where their dollars go, the results are both efficient and impactful.
Now is the time for our government to slim down its involvement in charitable giving. Instead of channeling taxpayer dollars into inefficient, agenda-driven programs, our leaders should trust American citizens and businesses to support causes that truly advance our nation’s interests. Let’s reclaim our nation’s charitable spirit by uniting our communities and empowering them to solve problems directly—just as our founding fathers envisioned.
Together, we can build a future where American ingenuity, compassion, and stewardship lead the way. By returning control of philanthropy to consumers, we honor the values that have made our country a shining light for freedom and opportunity around the world.
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