Charitably inclined Americans make significant donations of money and time to causes they support.
In 2014, they contributed some $358 million to nonprofit organizations, of which $259 billion came from individual donors.
In 2015, the U.S. ranked second on the latest CAF World Giving Index.
Individual circumstances largely influence whether donors contribute money, time or both, as well as the magnitude of its impact, according to WalletHub’s Charity Calculator.
WalletHub recently examined levels of generosity in the 50 states, analyzing eight metrics, including volunteer rate, the percentage of the population who donated time and money, and the median contribution to charity. Researchers gave each metric a value between 0 (the worst value) and 100 (the best value).
Following are WalletHub’s 10 most charitable and 10 least charitable states.
10 MOST CHARITABLE STATES
10. Minnesota
Total score: 31.24
Minnesota had the fifth highest volunteer rate and second highest percentage of population claiming to have donated time.
9. Oklahoma
Total score: 32.36
Oklahoma had the fifth highest percentage of donated income.
8. Washington
Total score: 32.57
Washington occupied a middle ground in terms of wealth and generosity.
7. Georgia
Total score: 33.19
Georgia had the third highest growth in charitable giving (2012 vs. 2006).
6. Tennessee
Total score: 33.51
Tennessee had the fourth highest percentage of donated income.
5. South Dakota
Total score: 33.68
South Dakota ranked among the poorest and most charitable states.
4. Oregon
Total score: 34.16
Oregon ranked among the poorest and most charitable states.
3. Idaho
Total score: 34.26
Idaho had the second highest growth in charitable giving (2012 vs. 2006) and fourth highest volunteer rate.
2. Maryland
Total score: 36.46
Maryland had the fourth highest percentage of population claiming to have donated money.