Americans named the government as the top problem facing the country last month, surpassing concerns over inflation and the economy. According to recent Gallup polls, faith in the U.S. government and its ability to address our nation’s most pressing challenges is at historic lows . While people's frustration with government isn’t exactly new — Gallup notes “ satisfaction ” with the state of the nation has been declining for two decades — it’s important to recognize that government is not the only tool available when it comes to solving pressing challenges at the local, state, and federal levels.

For those who wish to see more accomplished on issues such as education, poverty alleviation, and crime, we must remember that the private sector provides an even more powerful answer, a uniquely American tradition with a historic track record of success: charitable giving.

Considering the billions given to political campaigns during the last election cycle, I can’t help but think what even a fraction of those dollars could have accomplished through strategic philanthropy. There is an entire ecosystem of high-impact charitable organizations working every day to address complex social problems. They do so through direct community investments as well as by developing smarter policy ideas for elected leaders to implement.

Consider some of the biggest issues that drove people to the polls last fall — and what nonprofit organizations are accomplishing in those areas.

Take crime. It’s a multifaceted challenge that demands new and creative strategies to address. Nonprofit organizations such as the Manhattan Institute are using data-driven insights to develop nuanced policy solutions on public safety, criminal justice, and policing.

Groups such as the D.C.-based Code3 are working to strengthen bonds of trust between police and the community, and Cleveland’s Edwins Leadership and Restaurant Institute is empowering formerly incarcerated individuals with the skills and support network they need to succeed. This charitable work is effective: Edwins’ graduates have a 95% percent employment rate and a less than 1% recidivism rate.

Education is another top issue, and for good reason. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed holes in our education system and made clear the need for reform. Fortunately, there are many organizations working to improve student access, eliminate barriers to upward mobility, and promote school choice. Social entrepreneur Ian Rowe was dismayed by the fact that just 2% of South Bronx high school students graduated ready for college. So, he founded a new kind of school to help students succeed: a first-of-its-kind, character-based International Baccalaureate charter called Vertex Partnership Academies .

When it comes to preparing students for the job market, Jobs for America’s Graduates offers counseling, career association, and experiential learning for students as young as the 6th grade. JAG operates 1,500 locations across 40 states, and its class of 2020 achieved a 97% high school graduation rate (with an unemployment rate 300% lower than the national youth average).

As JAG’s work reminds us, education is closely tied to another pivotal issue: the economy. As individuals, we may feel powerless to help those who struggle to make ends meet during tough economic times. But this is where strategic philanthropy shines. Nonprofit organizations are uniquely positioned to equip people with the tools they need to secure higher-paying jobs and break cycles of poverty.

NPower helps move people from poverty to the middle class by training veterans and youth from low-income communities in a range of tech skills. Operating across seven states, NPower equips 80% of graduates to continue their education or get a full-time job. Another nonprofit group, Georgia-based Construction Ready , helps people of all ages take advantage of opportunities in the skilled trades . It has already trained more than 200,000 workers, and 97% of participants in its flagship pre-apprenticeship program have been successfully placed in jobs.

What’s more, nonprofit organizations and the philanthropy that supports them do far more than just address temporary needs, such as helping people learn a skill or earn a paycheck; they instill confidence and a sense of meaning and purpose in the individuals and families they serve. Effective philanthropy empowers people to transform their lives and achieve self-sufficiency for the long term — something that government is not well-equipped to do.

Given the current state of our government and economy, now is the time for people to reacquaint themselves with the power of civil society to address tough societal issues, improve lives, and advance the proven values that have guided us for hundreds of years: liberty, opportunity, and personal responsibility. Perhaps people would see more positive change if we invested in effective solutions and strong organizations rather than relying on government to address complex issues.

Elise Westhoff is president and CEO of Philanthropy Roundtable, a community of donors committed to advancing liberty, opportunity, and personal responsibility through effective charitable giving. Its mission is to foster excellence in philanthropy, protect philanthropic freedom, and help donors align their philanthropic goals and values.