Mississippi Ranks #1 in "Generosity Scale" for States

[Joe Wordsworth]

Some of the poorest states in the country are the most generous when it comes to giving to charities, a new report shows.

In the 2003 Generosity Index released by the Catalogue for Philanthropy, Mississippi ranked No. 1 when evaluating how much its residents gave to charity compared to how much they earn. While Mississippi ranks last in average income of all 50 states at $33,665, its citizens give, on average, the sixth highest amount to philanthropy at $4,340.

At No. 2 was Arkansas, ranking 47th in income but fifth in giving. Rounding out the top 10 were South Dakota, Oklahoma, Alabama, Tennessee, Louisiana, Utah, South Carolina and Idaho.

Wyoming gave the most money to charity on average at $7,917. As the 18th richest state in average income, Wyoming was ranked 12th on the Generosity Index. In Utah, the 30th richest state, residents gave the second highest amounts on average, ranking it at No. 8.

On the other side of the spectrum, New Hampshire was once again ranked last on the index, with Rhode Island next to last. Although New Hampshire ranked eighth in highest average income at $51,212, it was 48th in the amount people gave to charity at $2,368. Rhode Island ranked 15th in average income but was last of all the states in contributions, giving on average $2,240.

The index also showed that Connecticut had the highest average income in the country at $68,177 and ranked 16th in giving, making it No. 37 on the Generosity Index. New Jersey had the second highest average income but ranked 35th in giving, placing it in the 48th spot on the index.

The 2003 Generosity Index is based on 2001 tax returns. To determine the generosity ranking, a state’s ranking based on its average charitable deduction was subtracted from the rank based on the highest average income. The state with the biggest difference between the two numbers was deemed the most generous. For example, the top state, Mississippi, ranked 50th in income but 6th in giving, giving it a “rank relation” of 44, the largest of the 50 states.

 

[SeaCat]

So where did Florida fall in this?

Cat

 

[CharleyH]

Philosophically. Is this a concern for you Joe?

 

[Alex756]

So where did Florida fall in this?

Cat

http://www.catalogueforphilanthropy.org/cfp/db/generosity.php?year=2004

Here is the data

~Alex

 

[Alex756]

And the 2005 version (opps I posted 2004 last time)

http://www.catalogueforphilanthropy.org/cfp/db/generosity.php?year=2005

 

[Xelebes]

Mississippi is certainly not the most Generous. Try Wyoming!

 

[cantdog]

Poor people give more than rich people do. It is true so often as to be a truism of sociology.

 

[Tentacle_Beast]

Poor people give more than rich people do. It is true so often as to be a truism of sociology.

That makes sense, considering that poor people know what it is like to need a helping hand, and so they are more willing to give it. Rich people, who are programmed by their own culture to make it to the top by their own power, wouldn't realize what it is like to be truly in need of aid from a fellow human being. They are less likely to give because their perspective is warped by a lack of personal experience in the shoes of the needy.

The real problem with that is the dissolvement of the middle class and the eventual case of another recession in America. Of course, there's a lot of other factors that are helping this country speed towards that fate, but I do believe that man-to-man aid is a big part of why America is headed for an even stormier future. (...is "stormier" even a word? I think I just invented a word...)

 

[Boxlicker101]

Poor people give more than rich people do. It is true so often as to be a truism of sociology.

This does stand to reason. If income tax returns were used, that would mean it would include contributions to churches. Poorer persons would probably tend to give a higher percentage of their incomes to them.