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The Philanthropic Work of 5 Former Presidents

The Philanthropic Work of 5 Former PresidentsAs leaders of the world’s most powerful nation, U.S. presidents are expected to have a broad understanding of global issues. After leaving office, many former presidents continue to make positive changes in the world. Here are five examples of recent U.S. presidents who use their influence and recognizable names to help the international community.

  1. The Carter Center/Habitat for Humanity: The Carters founded the Carter Center, which has operated in more than 80 countries. It helps resettle refugees throughout Africa, fights the spread of malaria in Haiti and the Dominican Republic and recently launched an initiative to improve China’s presence in Africa.
  2. Ronald Reagan Foundation and Institute: Ronald Reagan (1981-1989) founded many initiatives in favor of peace and diplomacy. One of these is the Reagan Institute Strategy Group, which believes America is “indispensable to preserving the free, open and peaceful political and economic system that provides the foundation for how countries interact.” The Strategy Group promotes America’s crucial role on the world stage and its ideals of freedom. To that end, it meets with foreign policy and national security leaders like the E.U. in dealing with Ukraine. The Westminster 2.0 Working Group also lobbies for America’s continued role as a global leader. Westminster 2.0 keeps America and its allies working with the latest modern technology and media. It also assists with efforts to give oppressed people in less democratic nations a voice.
  3. George and Barbara Bush Endowment: Before entering the White House in 1989, George and Barbara Bush lost their 3-year-old daughter Robin to leukemia. Years later, the couple began an endowment to the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. This endowment continues to this day, even after both of their deaths. The MD Anderson Cancer Center is the largest cancer research center in the U.S. and takes patients from around the world. Recently, MD Anderson started working in lower-income countries, which is necessary as cancer disproportionately affects the poor. It hopes to decrease global cancer through education and prevention and is delivering necessary cancer research to nations in Africa and Latin America.
  4. Clinton Foundation: The Clinton Foundation, created at the end of Bill Clinton’s presidency in 2001, has become one of the largest presidential organizations. In 2005, the Foundation started the Clinton Global Initiative, which has worked in over 180 countries. In response to the effects of four devastating hurricanes, Bill Clinton devoted particular care to Haiti. The foundation doubled its efforts after the 2010 earthquake. In total, the Clinton Global Initiative has donated around $500 million to Haiti. More recently, the CGI began networking in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean, following the 2017 hurricane season. So far, more than 700 organizations have joined in support. The Network continued its efforts after the COVID-19 pandemic hit.
  5. Obama Foundation: Despite getting out of the presidential office relatively recently, Barack Obama (2009-2017) has remained a global leader. With the Obama Foundation, work is being done for the next generation of leaders. The Scholars Initiative partners with the University of Chicago and Columbia University to fund global startups. Young minds from all over the globe have taken it to begin solutions to global problems. Michelle started the Girls Opportunity Alliance through the Obama Foundation. It looks to help the 98 million girls not in school get access to high-quality education worldwide. The Alliance provides a network for organizations that work in global female schooling.

What’s Next?

These former U.S. presidents continue to make a positive impact on the international community long after leaving office. Through various initiatives and organizations, they address global challenges and strive to create a better world. From the Carter Center’s work in refugee resettlement and malaria prevention to the Clinton Foundation’s extensive efforts in disaster relief and education, these leaders leverage their influence to bring about positive change. The dedication of these former presidents serves as an inspiration, highlighting the potential for ongoing leadership and advocacy to shape a brighter future on a global scale.

– Josh Sobchak
Photo: Flickr

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Top Quotes on Global Poverty from US Presidents

As the leader of the United States, each past president has had a massive responsibility to serve the people of the U.S. However, many U.S. presidents have also made foreign policy a key part of their agendas. From John Adams to Barack Obama, presidents throughout American history have shared inspirational thoughts on helping those suffering from poverty across the globe in both speeches and colloquial conversation. Listed below are some of the top quotes on global poverty from U.S. presidents.

Top Quotes on Global Poverty from US Presidents:

  1. “We all do better when we work together. Our differences do matter, but our common humanity matters more.” —Bill Clinton, 42nd President of the United States
  2. “As the wealthiest nation on Earth, I believe the United States has a moral obligation to lead the fight against hunger and malnutrition, and to partner with others.” —Barack Obama, 44th President of the United States
  3. “To be good, and to do good, is all we have to do.” —John Adams, 2nd President of the United States
  4. “The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have little.” —Franklin Delano Roosevelt, 32nd President of the United States
  5. “The duty of great states is to serve and not to dominate the world.” —Harry Truman, 33rd President of the United States
  6. “If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich.” —John F. Kennedy, 35th President of the United States
  7. “Many in our country do not know the pain of poverty, but we can listen to those who do. And I can pledge our nation to a goal: When we see that wounded traveler on the road to Jericho, we will not pass to the other side. America, at its best, is a place where personal responsibility is valued and expected.” —George W. Bush, 43rd President of the United States
  8. “We know that a peaceful world cannot long exist one-third rich and two-thirds hungry.” —Jimmy Carter, 39th President of the United States
  9. “Progress in the most impoverished parts of our world enriches us all.” —Barack Obama, 44th President of the United States

All in all, these top quotes on global poverty from U.S. presidents highlight the importance of investing in foreign assistance not just from a humanitarian perspective but also as it relates to bolstering the global economy. Whether it’s John Adam’s simplistic message or George W. Bush’s illustrative parable, these wise words will hopefully inspire both U.S. citizens and future presidents to support policy and fund the world’s poor.

– Sam Elster
Photo: Pixabay

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The US Top 10 Oldest Presidents to Take Office


The average age of the 45 U.S. presidents throughout history is 54 years and 11 months. Below are the top 10 oldest presidents to take office in United States history.

Gerald Ford – 61 years old

  • Ford took the oath of office in August of 1974 in the aftermath of the Watergate scandal. Notable accomplishments of his administration include: cutting inflation almost by half, decreasing unemployment, and 4 million people acquiring jobs since the recession.
  • Ford pardoned former President Richard Nixon for his crimes committed during his presidency. This act stunned the country, and his approval ratings dropped.

John Adams – 61 years, 4 months old

  • The first Vice President and second president of the United States, John Adams’s greatest contribution to U.S history was his rallying of Americans for independence. He pressed delegates at the Second Continental Congress (1776) to declare war against Britain.
  • Other of this president’s major roles in the founding of the United States include bringing a peaceful end to the Quasi-War: Adams sent a peace delegation to France and the signing of the Convention of 1800 is considered a major foreign policy accomplishment of Adams’s presidency.

Andrew Jackson – 61 years,11 months old

  • Displacement and deaths of Native Americans cloud Andrew Jackson’s presidency. Americans grew greedy for land in the 19th century, and Jackson took a systematic approach to removing Native Americans with several treaties as president.
  • The Trail of Tears was a result of various “Indian removal processes.” Some tribes wanted to stay and fight, others agreed to the treaties; however, Jackson ignored laws and the government and forced Native Americans out of their land through violence or bribery.

Dwight D. Eisenhower – 62 years old

  • Eisenhower served two terms as president, and during his presidency, he managed the tensions of the Cold War, strengthened Social Security and signed the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956.
  • Though he was successful in accomplishing many things, Eisenhower wavered in protecting the civil rights of African Americans and desegregating schools.

Zachary Taylor – 64 months, 3 months old

  • With military experience and success in expanding the U.S. by taking land from Mexico in the Mexican-American War, Zachary Taylor was regarded as a hero and became president in 1849.
  • His administration faced numerous problems, particularly in the expansion of slavery in new western territories and financial scandals. Taylor became the second president to die while in office and was succeeded by Millard Fillmore.

George H.W Bush – 64 years, 7 months old

  • As the 41st president of the United States, Bush brought back traditional American values as the world dramatically changed. During his presidency, he faced Saddam Hussein’s invasion of Kuwait and threat to invade Saudi Arabia. At home, he was unable to combat the increasing discontent of a failing economy, inner city violence increase and the high deficit spending.

James Buchanan – 65 years old

  • As the 15th president of the United States, Buchanan experienced the continuous conflict between Native Americans and the U.S. His presidency also witnessed the Panic of 1857 as a result of poor trade. The Dred Scott decision where an African American slave sued for his freedom occurred, which unfortunately was refused.

William H. Harrison – 68 years old

  • Out of the top 10 oldest presidents to hold office, William Henry Harrison served only one month before dying of pneumonia. Prior to becoming president, Harrison was a prominent figure in the fight against Native Americans, particularly in the Battle of Tippecanoe (1811). He won the presidential campaign against unpopular Martin Van Buren.

Ronald Reagan – 69 years old

  • Previously the oldest president to hold office in the United States, Ronald Reagan became one of the most revered figures in political history.
  • Ronald Reagan’s presidency was marked by several scandals – one, in particular, was the Iran-Contra Affair. The U.S. sold weapons to the Islamic Republic of Iran as part of an unsuccessful attempt at releasing six U.S. hostages.

 Donald Trump – 70 years old

  • The oldest president to date
  • In an unprecedented political campaign, Republican nominee Donald Trump won the presidential election in 2016. He was outspoken and unfiltered, and his controversial political remarks mark his presidency.
  • With an ongoing administration, Trump’s executive actions include:
    • Advancing the Dakota Access Pipeline and XL Pipeline
    • Increasing border security and promoting the development of the wall
    • Reversing the travel ban, suspending and banning travel from six countries

Youth is often associated with fresh ideas and renewed energy, but these top 10 oldest presidents have brought in their own decisive and controversial ideas. Top 10 source via : top10binary.com binary options trading.

– Jennifer Serrato

Photo: Flickr