Where’s The Money?
We’re all rebounding from the Great Recession, right? Optimistic about fundraising prospects for 2014, right?
Well, maybe not so fast … at least not for everyone in the US of A.
Our friends at Analytical Ones have completed an analysis of giving by state (and they can provide locality data as well, if you’re interested), comparing giving level changes between 2008 and 2011. They’re comparing charitable deductions as reported on federal income tax returns, so obviously this isn’t the whole pie. But it still appeals to my idle curiosity.
Turns out that only five states, plus the District of Columbia (DC), showed giving growth greater than 10% in that period.
DC? I can understand. The government-driven economy never sleeps there. It’s where they print the money, after all.
And Massachusetts? We’ve always known they’re weird, bleeding hearts up there. Ever heard of George McGovern? The only state he carried in 1972 was Massachusetts (plus DC, so there you have those two).
But the other four states are North Dakota (tops at +21%), South Dakota, Nebraska and Iowa. What’s going on out there in heartland? Maybe it’s the fracking. OK, Warren Buffett files his taxes from Omaha … that’s probably a big enough deduction by itself to carry Nebraska to the top five!
Most states grew in giving, but less than 10%.
But then there are the ten states that gave less in 2011 than 2008.
Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Louisiana, Delaware, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Hawaii, Wyoming and worst of all, Alaska (-9%). Actually, I didn’t realize Alaska was still a state … didn’t Sarah Palin do something about that? I’m sure they don’t pay federal income taxes.
If you’re a fundraiser in one of these ten states, you might consider a move. Why play against a stacked deck?
Tom
2 responses to “Where’s The Money?”
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I’m curious what this data would look like if overlaid with info on generosity by state. Giving in Massachusetts may be increasing but, in 2012, the Chronicle of Philanthropy ranked the weird bleeding hearts in Massachusetts (of which I am one) #47 out of 50 — giving away a measly 2.8% of discretionary income.* So I would say that if giving is increasing in my home state it’s because it damn well needs to!
Incidentally, of the ten states that gave less, I noticed at least one in the top ten of generosity ranking. South Carolina came in at #5 — donating 6.4% of discretionary income.*
Complete rankings here: https://philanthropy.com/article/Sharing-the-Wealth-How-the/133605/
* Doesn’t include whole pie as — “Rankings were based on itemized charitable contributions as a share of income after excluding taxes, housing, and other necessities. Information is taken from tax returns of people who earned at least $50,000…”
Good info to add, Tina.