Posted on 11/05/2003 11:33:32 AM PST by Beelzebubba
CONCORD, N.H. - New Hampshire is holding tightly to its distinction as the stingiest state, according to an annual index of charitable giving.
For the last three of five years, New Hampshire has been at the bottom of the "Generosity Index," which compares what residents of each state earn and how much they give. New Hampshire surrendered the miserly title to Rhode Island the other two years.
New Hampshire residents donated $462 million, an average of about $2,400 per taxpayer, according to The Catalogue for Philanthropy. That looks especially stingy considering the state's relative wealth. Its average income of $51,000 is eighth-highest in the country, while its average giving ranks 48th.
By comparison, Mississippi, the most generous state, had an average income of $34,000 — the lowest in the country. But residents still gave enough to match the national average of $3,500 a person.
The index reflects itemized charitable donations reported on 2001 federal tax returns, the latest available.
New Hampshire's New England neighbors — Rhode Island, Vermont, Connecticut and Maine — are all among the 20 least generous states.
By comparison, Bible Belt states like Mississippi, Arkansas, Alabama, Tennessee, Louisiana and South Carolina are all among the top 10.
The regional difference has been attributed to the Southern Christian practice of tithing — giving a tenth of your income to the church.
But Deborah Schachert, the director of Giving New Hampshire, is skeptical. Her program was founded in 2000 to promote and increase philanthropy in the state.
"There are no simple answers. We're talking about a profound change over time in the culture of giving across the whole state," she said.
The Catalogue for Philanthropy is a Needham, Mass.-based nonprofit that publishes a directory of nonprofit organizations. The organization created the index seven years ago.
This year's rankings reveal how Americans responded to the economic turndown, spokesman Marty Cohn said.
Overall, the country's average adjusted gross income fell 3 percent from 2000 to 2001, but itemized charitable donations fell more quickly, by 4 percent. Some states responded with increased charitable giving; others reduced it.
Hawaiians, for example, saw their income decline 1.1 percent, but increased giving by 4.7 percent. In Nebraska, income fell 2.8 percent and giving fell 17.4 percent, the sharpest decline.
In New Hampshire, income fell 6.5 percent and giving declined 12.3 percent. ___
On the Net: www.catalogueforphilanthropy.org
Giving New Hampshire: www.givingnh.org
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1015256/posts
Perhaps the people of New Hampshire prefer to donate directly - a loan, a ride or a meal to a friend, neighbor or family member in need.
That way they know where their donation is going and isn't being embezzled or misspent as so sadly happens in large charitible organizations with high overheads.
Imagine that. Giving to someone all by yourself, without some big faceless impersonal organization. Who knows, one might get to know their neighbors better.
The income tax rate is the same for all incomes in New Hampshire, zero. There is no state income tax.
There are three reasons New Hampshire citizens are not known for charity. One is, most New Hanpshire citizens support themselves. The seond is, those who do not support themselves, because they cannot, are often taken care by others with little of no fanfare, so they aren't looking for a handout (they cannot be counted) and those supporting them don't show up in the charity figures.
The final reason New Hapshire citizens are not noted for their charity is because they really don't believe people ought to be beggers and feel those who promote the welfare and charity roles are harming their neighbor.
I know a great many New Hapshire citizens who actually provide more help than any of these organized charities. Only those who know those people personally or are the recipients know about it. New Hapshire people generally believe in minding their own business, and expect others to also.
Hank
Chartiy needn't be formal or organized, and independent minded people frequently prefer it not be. For example I've been giving rides to a friend who is between jobs. That and I spent over $500 this month rehabilitating a stray dog. I wouldn't have given that much to any organization, but being personally involved persueded me. None of that will show up on the report cited by the article.
They're a very hardy people, even the poor. You've got to take care of business up in that country, or you'll freeze to death in the winter.
Evolution took out the loosers there generations ago.
Perhaps this study merely reflects the fact the that citizens of New Hampshire, being more well off, can afford to be more honest on their schedule A's than the citizens of poorer states like Mississippi.
Could the Granite Staters be filing honest tax returns? or are they just investing in ammo? Live Free or Die!
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