TOXIC PHILANTHROPY: Wealthy U.S. donors are influencing policy to serve their own interests.

Americans gave away almost $400 billion in 2016. Billionaires like Bill Gates, Warren Buffet and Mark Zuckerberg are applauded for their generosity. But who actually benefits from their donations? For every dollar of charitable giving, the U.S. taxpayer has to fork out 50 cents in lost tax revenue. And uber-wealthy philanthropists ensure that their dollars are well-spent; they drive government policy to suit their interests and money meant for developing economies often lands up in the coffers of U.S. and European organizations and corporations, creating ever more dependent recipients. “STIMULUS with Tara Cleary” looks at the harmful side of philanthropy.