Waukee Giving Less Than Its Neighbors in Philanthropy Study

According to a new study by the Chronicle of Philanthropy, Waukee residents fall well below their suburban neighbors when it comes to giving.

The six-month-long study of data and on-the-ground reporting, “How America Gives,” ranked the generosity of  the 50 states and every zip code in America.

Some numbers on how Waukee residents gave:

• Total contributions: $10.5 million
• Median contribution: $2,077
• Median discretionary income: $59,962
• Percent of income given: 3.5%

The study found that giving often depends on politics and policies. In Iowa, for example, individuals and businesses contributing community foundation endowments can use 25 percent of the gift to offset state taxes. Still, Iowa ranked 33rd in 51 states and territories.

People and businesses in Iowa contributing to community foundation endowments can use 25 percent of the gift to offset state taxes. The combination of the credit and the federal charitable tax deduction means that someone in the highest tax bracket would pay just 40 cents for every donated dollar.

Total contributions in Iowa were $1 billion, with a median contribution of $2,190.

The Des Moines metro area as a whole ranked 84th of 366 metro areas, with total contributions of $264 million. In the greater Des Moines metro area, other selected communities ranked as follows:

• Des Moines, No. 247, with total giving of $65.1 million
• West Des Moines, No. 456, with total giving of 44.5 million
• Urbandale, No. 602, with total giving of $35.2 million
• Ankeny, No. 880, with total giving of $26.1 million
• Johnston, No. 1,621, with total giving of $14.3 million
• Waukee, No. 2,128, with total giving of $10.5 million

Among the major findings of the study:

• The most generous residents are in the Deep South. The stingiest are in New England states.
• Residents in middle-class neighborhoods give a higher percentage of their discretionary income annually than do residents in affluent neighborhoods.
• Nonprofits and charities are pressured s government budgets shrink, and more individuals nationwide are digging deeper into their own pockets to help their neighbors.
• Utah is the most generous state, while New Hampshire is the stingiest.
• Salt Lake City tops the cities list – largely a sign of the power of Mormon tithing rules.
• Providence, RI, is rock bottom – likely a result of high unemployment and dwindling industry.
• Rich people who live in wealthy, relatively homogeneous enclaves (think Newton, MA) give a smaller share of their incomes to charity than rich people who live in diverse communities (Cambridge, MA).
• People who live in politically conservative, "red states" are more generous than those in liberal or "blue states."

The study is based on exact dollar amounts released by the Internal Revenue Service showing the value of charitable deductions claimed by American taxpayers.