N.Y. State Ranks Low on ‘Generosity’ List
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New York ranks fifth when it comes to making money but only 27th when it comes to giving, according to an annual index of charitable giving.
The Catalogue for Philanthropy’s 2004 Generosity Index showed Mississippi, for the eighth straight year, as the nation’s most giving state – and its poorest. It was followed by Arkansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Alabama, and Tennessee, all poor states. Much of the Northeast, however, including Connecticut, New Jersey, and Massachusetts, which rank first, second, and third among the richest states, were the least giving.
The survey is based on residents’ average adjusted income and itemized charitable donations reported on 2002 federal tax returns, the latest year available. The index does not take into account non-itemized giving or volunteering, said Carol Schofield of the Connecticut Council for Philanthropy.
The latest index reflects a country still coping with an economic slump – the national average gross income in 2002 dropped nearly 2.4% to $45,953. Despite the drop in income, the average individual donation fell less than 1%.Exceptions to the trend were found in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Vermont, where the decline in giving exceeded the decline in income.
The average itemized filer in Mississippi reported $4,484 in donations in 2002. That beats the national average by $1,029.
