Giving

A new Gallup poll shows that residents of poorer states are more likely to reach into their pockets and give to charities than those in wealthier areas such as the New England states.

The report by Chronicle of Philanthropy, which analyzed tax returns filed by taxpayers who itemize their deductions, showed that Americans on average give about 3 percent of their income to charity each year.

The giving gap between the rich and poor was significant. It showed that those who earned $200,000 or more donated 4.6 percent less of their income in 2012 than in 2006 while those who earned less than $100,000 gave 4.5 percent more.

Church attendance is a factor. The Mormon church asks members to give at least 10 percent of their income to charity. Utah, where the Mormon church is strongest, proved to be the most generous state. For every $1,000 they brought in, they handed out $65.60, a giving rate of 6.6 percent.

New Hampshire was the least giving state with a rate of 1.7 percent despite being ninth in per capita income. Other states that show high earnings but give relatively little include Massachusetts (second in income, 47th in giving), Rhode Island (14th in income, 46th in giving), Connecticut (first in income, 45th in giving), and New Jersey (third in income, 42nd in giving). The only state in both the top 10 in charitable giving and per capita income was Maryland.

Pennsylvania is ranked 39th and its charity profile is very similar to neighboring Ohio, which ranks 36th. Both states have 1.1 registered nonprofits per 1,000 people. Ohioans, however, have a slight edge in charitable contributions as a percentage of their discretionary income, donating 4.1 percent compared with 3.9 percent for Pennsylvanians.

Among our other neighboring states, New York was 17th, ranking behind only California in total charitable contributions, with more than $11.2 billion in reported donations. Despite the large number of wealthy households in the state, the typical rate of giving is average, at 4.7 percent of discretionary income. The most generous New Yorkers resided in Manhattan's Upper East Side, which contributed more in total dollars ($478 million) than any other place in the country.

The charitable giving trend nationwide also bears out in this region where religious roots are deeply embedded in the area's history. Monroe, Carbon and Schuylkill counties each rank below the state ($27,049) and the U.S. $27,334) in per capita income - Monroe ranks 21st ($24,824); Carbon 27th ($22,956); and Schuylkill 42nd ($21,408) among the state's 67 counties - yet there are many who are willing to share what they have.

Events such as The Dream Come True-Blue Ridge Chapter telethon and the Carbon-Tamaqua American Cancer Society Telethon, which celebrated its 35th anniversary earlier this year, characterize this as a region with caring individuals.

By Jim Zbick

editor@tnonline.com