In China, the concept of public charity has evolved significantly. Traditionally, giving was often focused within family, clan, or local community networks. The modern concept of large-scale, public philanthropy, similar to Western NGOs, gained massive traction following major events like the 2008 Sichuan Earthquake, which saw an unprecedented outpouring of public donations. While the act of donating is universal, the Chinese context can sometimes be intertwined with other cultural values. A large public 捐赠 can be a way to build social reputation or “face” (面子, miànzi). For companies, it's a significant part of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and can be seen as a way to contribute to social harmony, a core Confucian value. Unlike the Western emphasis on individual giving for personal or religious fulfillment (and tax deductions), 捐赠 in China can be a more public or collective act. It's often reported in the media, and companies or wealthy individuals may be publicly expected to 捐赠 during national crises, reflecting a blend of modern philanthropy and traditional collectivist values.
捐赠 (juānzèng) is a formal word. You will encounter it in specific, non-casual contexts.
The word carries a very positive and respectable connotation. It is never used informally. You would not 捐赠 a birthday present to a friend; for that, you would use 送 (sòng).