Five Towns giving

As the Yamim Noraim and the call for tshuva, tfillah and tzadaka—repentance, prayer and charity—to change our fate and ourselves for the better, draw near, and the quiet and important philanthropy of Zev Wolfson, z”l, is acknowledged, the Five Towns-Far Rockaway community works increasingly on its charitable giving.

The community here focuses year round on chesed and tzedaka, and this is clearly reflected in a study released this past Monday by the Chronicle of Philanthropy, a Washington, D.C., based newspaper, published twice a month, reporting on nonprofits, for charity managers, fund raisers and philanthropists.

Listed by area or zip code, the Five Towns area ranks well against other sections of the United States, with higher than average percentages of income given to charities. The numbers range from a high of 13.2% given in Lawrence to a low of 4.6% in Hewlett. Other figures include two Far Rockaway zip codes, 11691 giving 11.7% and 11690 giving 10.3% of income, and other towns ranging from 8.7% in Cedarhurst, 7.7% in Inwood, 7.4% in Woodmere, and 4.9% in Atlantic Beach.

Other findings in the study noted Utah, with its high Mormon population and emphasis on tithing, coming in as the highest donating state with 10.6% of income given. New Hampshire comes in as least charitable giving 2.5% and New York is 17th at 4.7% of income donated. The study also appeared to indicate that those states that voted Republican, conservative leaning, in the last presidential election (red states) were more charitable than those that voted Democratic, politically liberal (blue states).

Data for the study was compiled from Internal Revenue Service tax records from 2008. The study examined and linked income levels and charitable contributions listed on Schedule A, where taxpayers itemize to be able to claim deductions. Other information listed explains how the data was compiled, including how after tax and expense income was determined. The study can be viewed online to see an analysis by income level delineating percentage of income donated and income in each zip code. To see the study go to philanthropy.com and click on “Interactive map” or “State and city rankings.”