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Long Islanders Are Generous

July 27, 2005

In 2004, $248.52 billion was donated to charity across the United States. The vast majority of charitable contributions -- 75.6% -- came from individuals. Of those individuals who gave to charity in 2004, over 8.6 million donated money -- $3 billion -- via the Internet, up 58% from 2003.

On Long Island, an analysis of individuals with income over $50,000 who itemized their income tax returns reveals that both Nassau and Suffolk County residents are more charitable than Americans generally. Nassau County residents gave 6.8% of their discretionary income to charity, averaging $3,817 annually. Suffolk was slightly higher; although discretionary income was $20,000 lower than Nassau County residents, Suffolk folks gave 7.3% of their discretionary income to charity, averaging $2,648 in 2002.

Giving USA 2005; The Chronicle of Philanthropy 2003.