'Red' States More Philanthropic than 'Blue' States Says Study

The spirit of charity is strongest in states which tend to vote conservatively, and weakest where liberal voters hold sway, according to a new study by the the Chronicle of Philanthropy.

The results of the six-month "How America Gives" survey — which covered all 50 states and the District of Columbia, 366 metropolitan areas, and all ZIP codes — used IRS data to rank the percentage of household income donated to nonprofits.

Locally, New York was the 18th most giving state, and New York City ranked 21st amongst major cities.

Ditmas Park's giving patterns, covered by its three ZIP codes, including 11218, 11230 and 11226 varied greatly. 

ZIP code 11218 came in 3,636 out of 28,724 ranked ZIP codes, with households donating 7.3 percent of their income. This ZIP code also covers Kensington and Windsor Terrace. 

11230 came in 883 out of 28,724, with households donating 11 percent of their income. 

Of the three ZIP codes that cover Ditmas Park, 11226 is most philanthropic, coming in 177 out of 28,724, with households donating 15.9 percent of their income. 

The study also concluded:

• The South is the most generous region of the country with seven of the top ten states, and New England the least with six states in the bottom ten.
• Utah was the top-ranked state with 10.6 percent of household income given to charity, with New Hampshire coming in last at 2.5 percent.
• Salt Lake City, UT, ranked first amongst cities, with Providence, RI, 50th.

The researchers concluded that religion played a prominent role in the willingness to give, with Utah and Idaho's large Mormon populations responsible for their high percentage of giving.

Also, lower-income households tended to be much more giving than wealthy ones. Those with incomes between $50,000 and $75,000 donated an average of 7.6 percent, while those making more than $100,000 giving only 4.2 percent.