In U.S., a Multitude of Forces Drains the Spirit of Giving

In addition, Americans might be wary of donating to charities helping cyclone refugees, considering the limits imposed by the Burmese government.

Direct Relief International sent about $200,000 worth of antibiotics, surgical kits and other medical supplies to Burma. But the government confiscated the supplies and has withheld them from aid workers, spokesman Jim Prosser said.

Patrick M. Rooney, research director at the Indiana center, said the Burmese government has created "a case study in how to botch disaster relief fundraising."

"They're making it almost impossible for anyone to want to give, in spite of their clear need, because of their insane and bizarre and idiotic behaviors," Rooney said.

In China, the Communist government has mobilized its military and resources in an extraordinarily public display of aid to an estimated 5 million displaced people. In the first three days after the quake, Chinese citizens reportedly donated $192 million to help their countrymen, an unprecedented sum for a country that bans independent nongovernmental organizations and has no organized philanthropy.

This has left many Americans wondering how their charitable dollars can be useful in a nation trying to show that it can handle the relief efforts on its own, experts said.

"I think it's very wise for a lot of donors to be holding back and waiting until there's an opportunity to really get the resources to do the most good," said Melissa A. Berman, president of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors.