A new study released this morning focusing on the generosity of Americans shows Louisianans—and Southerners in general—are living up to their reputation as people who make a point to give to charitable causes. The study by The Chronicle of Philanthropy finds that residents in states where religious participation is higher than the rest of the nation, particularly in the South, gave the greatest percentage of their discretionary income to charity. Louisiana ranks No. 13 among the states and for most charitable giving by percentage of annual income, at 5.3%. By that same measure, Baton Rouge ranks No. 104 among 366 metro areas in the U.S., with the average resident giving 5.4% of their income to charitable causes. New Orleans ranks No. 165 on the list, with its residents giving 4.7% of their income. Monroe has the state’s highest ranking of any metro—at No. 17, with a 7.6% average. The study was based on Internal Revenue Service records of people who itemized deductions in 2008, the most recent year statistics were available. Read the full story The Associated Press has on the study here; and see a number of interactive maps that detail the study’s findings at The Chronicle of Philantrophy website here.
Today’s poll question: How much of your income, by percentage, do you give to charitable causes annually?
