This is a fascinating report looking at million dollar gifts to charities comparing donations from people in China, Hong Kong, the Middle East, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. According to the report, 1,955 wealthy individuals gave $19-billion in gifts of $1-million or more made to charity in 2012.

Thes donors gave mainly to higher education, which captured 37 percent, or $7.05-billion. Specific religious charities received $31.7 million in gifts although it can be expected that some of the gifts went to Christian charities that are not categorised under the religious charities.

Most of the gifts went to institutions in donors’ home countries. Just 6 percent went to groups outside their borders, researchers said. The big exception was in the Middle East, whose donors sent 71 percent of their gifts to institutions outside their own countries.

The report includes case studies of givers of at least $1 million gifts.