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Could charitable donations solve our debt ceiling crisis? : The Indicator from Planet Money In the background of the debt ceiling fight between Congress and the Biden administration, we peek inside a little-known program created for citizens who want to help pay off the national debt. This special fund has been collecting donations from civic-minded Americans since the 1960s.

For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.

The Indicator from Planet Money

Can YOU solve the debt crisis?

Can YOU solve the debt crisis?

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(Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
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Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
(Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

During the James Madison administration in 1811, a citizen donated money to the United States government. Federal officials eventually set up special funds to collect these kinds of contributions, including ones earmarked for paying down the national debt.

Today, we talk to a Treasury official about these under-the-radar programs and an ordinary citizen who looks back at their donation with less civic pride than you'd think.

Music by Drop Electric. Find us: Facebook / Newsletter.

Subscribe to our show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts and NPR One.

For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.