This month the charitable industry’s stand, The Chronicle of Philanthropy, published it extensive review of giving in America. For the past two years, it has been collecting data from a variety of sources and working to ensure the highest level of granularity given the Herculean nature of the big-data task. Much of the news was not particularly surprising. It echoed Alexis de Tocqueville’s work at the country’s founding – Americans are very generous.
Yet like all anticipated news, when one looks closely there is always something new to learn. Marion County gives, elevating itself to a higher category per capita than those nearby. It is something that is worthy of further investigation – and it will get it.
In a particularly interesting infographic, the Chronicle highlighted a handful of measures that it considered of note. The southeast gives a great deal more than the northeast. Utah is the undisputed winner in caring – really, without compare. And, the most personally generous states all voted for Mitt Romney in the last election (top 17).
Religion is a factor. Folks in these states tended to be closer to the traditional American, some might say conservative, values of church and caring for others. Some have also argued that people who prefer to tax rather than give don’t find a moral imperative in personal generosity. Whatever the reason, it leads to an interesting conundrum. If America is moving towards a more politically liberal agenda, can our established institutional not-for-profits hope to survive the transition to a fully government-based support system? Will all who care for the sick, poor, hungry, arts and other interests ultimately be in the employ of Uncle Sam? And if the IRS becomes our philanthropic advisor, are we somehow better served? Does El Jefe bigger government make us more moral and the poor less downtrodden?