It’s better to give

Donating to the world’s poor doesn’t need justifying. The desire to help people should be enough to compel all of us to support those ravaged by disease, hunger, and warfare.

With declining donations to foreign nations, clearly morality isn’t enough of a cause. So let’s talk charity in terms Americans can understand: profit.

In the aftermath of WWII, Pres. Truman presented the Marshall Plan, giving $110 billion in present-day value to foreign countries, promoting the restoration of welfare and financial development.

This plan also contributed to the United States’ rapid economic development and sustained prosperity today — giving $12.7 billion to Europe in 1948 helped us export $240 billion worth of goods there in 2010. Supporting an end to poverty internationally is a tried-and-true method of expanding profits at home.

Contributing to the welfare of the world’s poorest also helps expand a consumer audience. One out of five U.S. jobs is export-based and 45 percent of these exports are for developing nations.

No only does our support assist families in improving their own lives and contributing to the successes of their countries, it helps corporations expand their global reach to those who are the future of product and technology.

This story was originally published July 23, 2015 at 9:56 PM with the headline "It’s better to give."