I understand the value derived vs. provided, but I disagree about it having to be altruistic. Someone donating large amounts of money to charity just to write it off on their taxes isn’t doing so altruistically, but is still doing a lot of good. I’d say we still owe them gratitude - or at the very least, the people they’re helping.

> Someone donating large amounts of money to charity just to write it off on their taxes isn’t doing so altruistically

I mean, it's still altruistic because they're going to 'lose wealth' by donating. You're never going to earn back in tax write-offs as much as you spent by donating.