On April 30, 2026, our nation lost one of its greatest champions of charitable giving when Karl Zinsmeister passed away after a brave battle with cancer. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Ann, their three children and six grandchildren.
Zinsmeister was a prolific storyteller. His work as an author spanned the view from behind enemy lines as a war correspondent to the magic of the American spirit as the author of the authoritative “Almanac of American Philanthropy” and editor-in-chief of Philanthropy Magazine. At the center of his work was a deep regard for the triumph of human creativity and ingenuity in moments that called for the action of ordinary people to lift those around them.
He began his career in public service as an assistant to U.S. Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan. He would eventually ascend to the highest levels of government, serving as chief domestic policy adviser to President George W. Bush. Following his service at the White House, he was a vice president at Philanthropy Roundtable from 2011 to 2020.
During Zinsmeister’s time at the Roundtable, he defined how our country understood the role of charitable giving by highlighting the real life stories about when private, voluntary giving made a difference. As the editor-in-chief of Philanthropy Magazine, he explored philanthropy through a lens of optimism that was uncharacteristic of the times he wrote in.
When the media and digital zeitgeist decried wealth creation and all it represented, he stood athwart of the discourse of envy and cynicism, marveling at the independence, inventiveness and pluralism that naturally grew from prosperity. He also led the development of the Roundtable’s guidebooks, then known as the “Wise Giver’s Guides,” offering practical advice to donors on a variety of issues.
His “Almanac of American Philanthropy” is a pioneering work that definitively tells the story of the history of private giving in America. In it, he captured the formative role private giving has played in shaping our nation from decades before our founding through modern times. This resource continues to shape the public’s understanding of the history of philanthropy in America, underscoring the importance of sustaining a vibrant civil society.
Zinsmeister leaves a formidable legacy in the world of philanthropy. One of its greatest modern champions, his belief in what Americans can achieve through a free, independent, pluralistic and innovative charitable sector must be carried forward.
We invite you to spend some time reflecting with a few timeless pieces by Karl:
“The Kindness of Country Strangers”
Humble, day to day, relatively routine philanthropy—“the love of mankind”—saves people.
“The Assault on Generosity and Voluntary Action”
Spontaneous problem-solving through private giving is a profoundly American invention, and crucial to keeping our culture and economy strong.
“Americans’ Extraordinary Response in Times of Crisis: Giving”
Reacting to a calamity by making gifts to others is a beautiful reflex—yet quite counterintuitive in terms of self-interest. You would expect that when storm clouds gather, voluntary giveaways would be one of the first things cut back. But that is not the way Americans react.
