If a program is important for society we should ensure it’s socially funded.

Trouble is that its importance may not be known or understood until a charitable donator proves it is importance to society. The average person focused on making ends meet doesn't usually have the energy to ponder bigger picture things. They need to see it to realize its importance.

Once the average person who holds the majority rule in our democracy gets it, that may be where said majority should step in and push for a public funding role, but at that point it is also really easy to just sit back and the let the donator continue.

Tragedy of the commons, I suppose.