The Most Charitable Communities in Central MA
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Tuesday, January 07, 2014
Zeke Wright, GoLocalWorcester Contibutor
Worcester is the philanthropic capital of Central Massachusetts, donating to charitable causes at a higher rate than nearly all surrounding towns — and the state average.
But the Northeast lags somewhat behind the rest of the nation according to a study by The Chronicle of Philanthropy that demarcates differences in generosity along demographic lines.
Federal income tax returns recorded $37.6 million in charitable deductions by Worcester residents in 2008, the most recent year studied by The Chronicle. That amount equals 3.4 percent of income given a median salary of $42,913 — a median contribution of $1,448 per household.
In the central part of the state, only the residents of Berlin were more philanthropic, giving nearly 3.6 percent of their income toward charity.
Tim Garvin, the head of United Way of Central Massachusetts, said the region was a generous and giving place because of its “sense of connectivity.”
“Worcester is so well connected,” Garvin said. “People give to people they know.”
By the same token, that generosity is driven by need. “People can see real need exists,” he continued.
In nearby towns...
As a percentage of disposable income, charitable giving ranges in towns adjoining Worcester: 3 percent in West Boylston; 2.9 percent in Boylston and Holden; and between 2.5 percent and 2.2 percent in Shrewsbury, Paxton, Auburn, Millbury, and Leicester.
The small town of Berlin gives the most, however, with a median philanthropic contribution of $2,409 from every household, totaling $1.6 million in 2008.
“This town is the best,” said Mark Burton, one of approximately 2,866 residents and a past member of the Berlin Lions Club.
Reflecting the same qualities Garvin expressed as important for Worcester, Burton described a close-knit community that pulled around people in need after house fires or personal loss. He said he had been aware of Berlin's altruistic streak for years. “The people around here are just top-notch. ... I could ramble on for hours — it's true.”
Across the state, rates of giving vary irrespective of income. While affluent suburbs of Boston donate the greatest amounts, New Salem, Springfield, and Southfield are just some towns in Massachusetts making large contributions despite below-average median salaries.
Biggest factor? Belief that gift makes a difference
Ann Lisi, president and chief executive officer of the Greater Worcester Community Foundation, said the biggest factor in determining whether someone gives is hope.
“Here in our community we have the confidence that our giving will make a difference,” Lisi said, “that our nonprofits will be faithful to our intentions, and that bottom line conditions can improve for people.”
The head of the community foundation said donors sought to have a greater impact on where they live. Last year, the foundation supported more than 200 local area nonprofits, going toward myriad causes from the Worcester Tree Initiative to VNA Care Network and Hospice.
Garvin agreed with that assessment. “Need isn't just people who are poor. Need is people who are vulnerable,” he said, adding the importance of highlighting where donations of time, effort, and money go in the community.
So who's the prototypical donor? Universally, across about 11,500 supporters of the local United Way, “it is someone that cares,” Garvin said.
Bonnie Marden with the United Methodist Foundation of New England says donors look for projects that can demonstrate success. “People invest their gifts in people that they trust ... and in causes that focus on making a real difference in the world,” she said. “Trust, faith, competency, and results are the factors that inspire others to lend their support.”
A down economy has its impact
The Chronicle examined how America gives back based on exact dollar amounts released by the Internal Revenue Service. The Chronicle's study looks at charitable deductions claimed on tax forms and breaks the numbers down by ZIP code and income level in every city and town nationwide.
Multiple national surveys have found the down economy has taken a toll on philanthropy: A report by the Giving USA Foundation tallied an almost 6 percent year-over-year decline from 2007 to 2008.
In a separate analysis, The Urban Institute's Center on Nonprofits and Philanthropy estimates that the average charitable contribution per household as a percentage of adjusted gross income fell nearly half a percentage point between 2005 and 2010.
The recent crisis was initially “devastating” according to Garvin. “People who were donors became recipients.”
Lisi with the community foundation agreed the poor economy had had negative repercussions on giving. “As a funder we have seen many nonprofits continue to serve their clients often at the expense of their own infrastructure,” she said.
The United Methodist Foundation's Marden said people were more judicious when times are tough. However, “often, people reduce their discretionary spending and actually become more generous as they realize their resources can make a real difference to others in need,” she continued. When people become more careful with how they spend (and donate) charities can benefit, she said.
While recent economic progress hasn't yet trickled down to the working- and middle-class, Garvin said his organization had seen larger donors increase their contributions.
In a New Year's Eve release, The Chronicle's Maria Di Mento tallied big gifts through 2013 from America's wealthiest philanthropists, signaling a rebound.
In the eastern part of the Bay State, a report last year by Boston College's Center on Wealth and Philanthropy said while the recession will be felt for decades philanthropy will still be on the rise. In a release, that center's John Havens said economic growth has a major impact on potential charitable giving.
Giving more: Middle-class, economically diverse, religious
Among its nationwide findings, The Chronicle's authors found middle-class Americans, people who live in more economically diverse communities, and those who are religious tend to give a greater share of their income.
Two of the top nine most generous states — Utah and Idaho — have high numbers of Mormon residents, while the remainder of the top states all fall inside the so-called “Bible Belt”.
Statewide, Massachusetts gave 2.8 percent of discretionary income toward philanthropy, a contribution of $1,652 per median household making $58,099.
Marden said studies show that generosity is “hard-wired” into people and that the act of giving triggers positive emotions that reinforce generosity.
According to Garvin, any amount of giving is important, whether it's a large amount from an affluent donor or a high school student chipping in a dollar a week.
“My hope is that the message is that everyone can make a difference,” he said.
Differences in recipients
New England rounds out the bottom of The Chronicle's rankings of contributions as a percentage of income: Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Vermont, Maine, and New Hampshire come in 46th through 51st, in that order.
But that's largely a function of charitable giving to religious groups, The Chronicle notes. Donors in Southern states give approximately 5.2 percent of their income to charity compared to 4 percent in the Northeast.
Removing religious organizations from the equation, the South gave 0.9 percent compared to the Northeast's 1.4 percent.
The percentage of giving is based on the proportion of disposable income left after subtracting essential expenses including taxes, housing, and food.
To protect privacy, the IRS does not provide data about specific charities supported, and The Chronicle's study only includes taxpayers with reported incomes of $50,000 or more. Because the figures only include donations from those who submitted itemized deductions, the study accounts for about $135 billion of the $229 billion estimated to be contributed by individuals in 2008.
Related Slideshow: The Most and Least Charitable Communities in Central MA
Below are the most—and least—charitable towns in Central Massachusetts. Towns were ranked by how much of local median discretionary income was donated to a charitable cause. The data is taken from the Chronicle for Philanthropy, using IRS records on charitable giving as reported on individual tax returns in 2008, the latest available year.
For each listed town, the total contributions are provided, along with the median contribution, the median discretionary income, and the percent donated. A state and national ranking is also included. State rankings are based on the percent of income donated, while national rankings are based on total contributions.
Note: No data was available for the towns of Tolland, Phillipstown, and Templeton.
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#70
Hardwick
Total Contributions: $259,111
Median Contribution: $696
Median Income: $53,938
Percent of Income Given: 1.29%
State Ranking: 70 out of 70
National Ranking: 21,504 out of 28,725 communities
Note: Data is from 2008 tax returns, the latest available at time of study.
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#69
Winchendon
Total Contributions: $1.3 million
Median Contribution: $743
Median Income: $46,261
Percent of Income Given: 1.61%
State Ranking: 69 out of 70
National Ranking: 12,884 out of 28,725 communities
Note: Data is from 2008 tax returns, the latest available at time of study.
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#68
Townsend
Total Contributions: $1.6 million
Median Contribution: $953
Median Income: $57,464
Percent of Income Given: 1.66%
State Ranking: 68 out of 70
National Ranking: 12,031 out of 28,725 communities
Note: Data is from 2008 tax returns, the latest available at time of study.
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#67
Webster
Total Contributions: $3.4 million
Median Contribution: $905
Median Income: $51,530
Percent of Income Given: 1.76%
State Ranking: 67 out of 70
National Ranking: 8,649 out of 28,725 communities
Note: Data is from 2008 tax returns, the latest available at time of study.
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#66
Oxford
Total Contributions: $2.2 million
Median Contribution: $954
Median Income: $52,317
Percent of Income Given: 1.82%
State Ranking: 66 out of 70
National Ranking: 10,451 out of 28,725 communities
Note: Data is from 2008 tax returns, the latest available at time of study.
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#65
Millville
Total Contributions: $704,334
Median Contribution: $1,018
Median Income: $53,039
Percent of Income Given: 1.92%
State Ranking: 65 out of 70
National Ranking: 15,985 out of 28,725 communities
Note: Data is from 2008 tax returns, the latest available at time of study.
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#64
Shirley
Total Contributions: $1.4 million
Median Contribution: $1,060
Median Income: $54,521
Percent of Income Given: 1.94%
State Ranking: 64 out of 70
National Ranking: 12,498 out of 28,725 communities
Note: Data is from 2008 tax returns, the latest available at time of study.
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#63
Athol
Total Contributions: $1.3 million
Median Contribution: $849
Median Income: $43,305
Percent of Income Given: 1.96%
State Ranking: 63 out of 70
National Ranking: 12,803 out of 28,725 communities
Note: Data is from 2008 tax returns, the latest available at time of study.
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#62
Blackstone
Total Contributions: $1.7 million
Median Contribution: $995
Median Income: $50,702
Percent of Income Given: 1.962%
State Ranking: 62 out of 70
National Ranking: 11,753 out of 28,725 communities
Note: Data is from 2008 tax returns, the latest available at time of study.
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#61
Gardner
Total Contributions: $2.6 million
Median Contribution: $916
Median Income: $46,113
Percent of Income Given: 1.99%
State Ranking: 61 out of 70
National Ranking: 9,870 out of 28,725 communities
Note: Data is from 2008 tax returns, the latest available at time of study.
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#60
Rutland
Total Contributions: $2.4 million
Median Contribution: $1,202
Median Income: $60,363
Percent of Income Given: 1.991%
State Ranking: 60 out of 70
National Ranking: 10,081 out of 28,725 communities
Note: Data is from 2008 tax returns, the latest available at time of study.
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#59
Ayer
Total Contributions: $1.4 million
Median Contribution: $1,079
Median Income: $53,719
Percent of Income Given: 2.0%
State Ranking: 59 out of 70
National Ranking:12,663 out of 28,725 communities
Note: Data is from 2008 tax returns, the latest available at time of study.
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#58
Brimfield
Total Contributions: $909,441
Median Contribution: $1,152
Median Income: $55,660
Percent of Income Given: 2.07%
State Ranking: 58 out of 70
National Ranking: 14,655 out of 28,725 communities
Note: Data is from 2008 tax returns, the latest available at time of study.
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#57
Douglas
Total Contributions: $2.5 million
Median Contribution: $1,188
Median Income: $57,321
Percent of Income Given: 2.072%
State Ranking: 57 out of 70
National Ranking: 10,065 out of 28,725 communities
Note: Data is from 2008 tax returns, the latest available at time of study.
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#56
Ware
Total Contributions: $1.2 million
Median Contribution: $937
Median Income: $45,091
Percent of Income Given: 2.078%
State Ranking: 56 out of 70
National Ranking: 13,234 out of 28,725 communities
Note: Data is from 2008 tax returns, the latest available at time of study.
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#55
Bellingham
Total Contributions: $4.6 million
Median Contribution: $1,136
Median Income: $54,602
Percent of Income Given: 2.08%
State Ranking: 55 out of 70
National Ranking: 7,372 out of 28,725 communities
Note: Data is from 2008 tax returns, the latest available at time of study.
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#54
Palmer
Total Contributions: $1.4 million
Median Contribution: $1,030
Median Income: $49,163
Percent of Income Given: 2.09%
State Ranking: 54 out of 70
National Ranking: 12,677 out of 28,725 communities
Note: Data is from 2008 tax returns, the latest available at time of study.
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#53
Ashburnham
Total Contributions: $1.7 million
Median Contribution: $1,127
Median Income: $53,359
Percent of Income Given: 2.1%
State Ranking: 53 out of 70
National Ranking: 11,642 out of 28,725 communities
Note: Data is from 2008 tax returns, the latest available at time of study.
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#52
Mendon
Total Contributions: $2.9 million
Median Contribution: $1,538
Median Income: $71,929
Percent of Income Given: 2.13%
State Ranking: 52 out of 70
National Ranking: 9,378 out of 28,725 communities
Note: Data is from 2008 tax returns, the latest available at time of study.
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#51
Orange
Total Contributions: $591,748
Median Contribution: $906
Median Income: $42,190
Percent of Income Given: 2.14%
State Ranking: 51 out of 70
National Ranking: 16,955 out of 28,725 communities
Note: Data is from 2008 tax returns, the latest available at time of study.
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#50
Sutton
Total Contributions: $4.3 million
Median Contribution: $1,475
Median Income: $68,595
Percent of Income Given: 2.150%
State Ranking: 50 out of 70
National Ranking: 7,595 out of 28,725 communities
Note: Data is from 2008 tax returns, the latest available at time of study.
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#49
Leicester
Total Contributions: $1.5 million
Median Contribution: $1,133
Median Income: $52,650
Percent of Income Given: 2.151%
State Ranking: 49 out of 70
National Ranking: 12,127 out of 28,725 communities
Note: Data is from 2008 tax returns, the latest available at time of study.
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#48
Hopedale
Total Contributions: $2.2 million
Median Contribution: $1,328
Median Income: $61,554
Percent of Income Given: 2.158%
State Ranking: 48 out of 70
National Ranking: 10,500 out of 28,725 communities
Note: Data is from 2008 tax returns, the latest available at time of study.
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#47
Millbury
Total Contributions: $2.9 million
Median Contribution: $1,169
Median Income: $54,141
Percent of Income Given: 2.16%
State Ranking: 47 out of 70
National Ranking: 9,358 out of 28,725 communities
Note: Data is from 2008 tax returns, the latest available at time of study.
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#46
Brookfield
Total Contributions: $565,595
Median Contribution: $1,064
Median Income: $48,614
Percent of Income Given: 2.19%
State Ranking: 46 out of 70
National Ranking: 17,221 out of 28,725 communities
Note: Data is from 2008 tax returns, the latest available at time of study.
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#45
Upton
Total Contributions: $3.2 million
Median Contribution: $1,610
Median Income: $73,101
Percent of Income Given: 2.20%
State Ranking: 45 out of 70
National Ranking: 8,924 out of 28,725 communities
Note: Data is from 2008 tax returns, the latest available at time of study.
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#44
Dudley
Total Contributions: $2.8 million
Median Contribution: $1,229
Median Income: $55,533
Percent of Income Given: 2.21%
State Ranking: 44 out of 70
National Ranking: 9,546 out of 28,725 communities
Note: Data is from 2008 tax returns, the latest available at time of study.
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#43
West Brookfield
Total Contributions: $1.3 million
Median Contribution: $1,143
Median Income: $51,128
Percent of Income Given: 2.23%
State Ranking: 43 out of 70
National Ranking: 13,096 out of 28,725 communities
Note: Data is from 2008 tax returns, the latest available at time of study.
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#42
Hubbardston
Total Contributions: $1.3 million
Median Contribution: $1,257
Median Income: $55,991
Percent of Income Given: 2.245%
State Ranking: 42 out of 70
National Ranking: 12,929 out of 28,725 communities
Note: Data is from 2008 tax returns, the latest available at time of study.
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#41
Hudson
Total Contributions: $5.5 million
Median Contribution: $1,304
Median Income: $58,001
Percent of Income Given: 2.248%
State Ranking: 41 out of 70
National Ranking: 6,571 out of 28,725 communities
Note: Data is from 2008 tax returns, the latest available at time of study.
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#40
Charlton
Total Contributions: $4 million
Median Contribution: $1,393
Median Income: $61,121
Percent of Income Given: 2.28%
State Ranking: 40 out of 70
National Ranking: 7,894 out of 28,725 communities
Note: Data is from 2008 tax returns, the latest available at time of study.
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#39
Sturbridge
Total Contributions: $2.5 million
Median Contribution: $1,508
Median Income: $65,859
Percent of Income Given: 2.29%
State Ranking: 39 out of 70
National Ranking: 9,969 out of 28,725 communities
Note: Data is from 2008 tax returns, the latest available at time of study.
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#38
Spencer
Total Contributions: $2.1 million
Median Contribution: $1,165
Median Income: $50,479
Percent of Income Given: 2.30%
State Ranking: 38 out of 70
National Ranking: 10,802 out of 28,725 communities
Note: Data is from 2008 tax returns, the latest available at time of study.
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#37
Barre
Total Contributions: $929,715
Median Contribution: $1,135
Median Income: $49,133
Percent of Income Given: 2.31%
State Ranking: 37 out of 70
National Ranking: 14,545 out of 28,725 communities
Note: Data is from 2008 tax returns, the latest available at time of study.
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#36
Auburn
Total Contributions: $4.6 million
Median Contribution: $1,229
Median Income: $53,165
Percent of Income Given: 2.312%
State Ranking: 36 out of 70
National Ranking: 7,297 out of 28,725 communities
Note: Data is from 2008 tax returns, the latest available at time of study.
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#35
New Braintree
Total Contributions: $228,676
Median Contribution: $1,129
Median Income: $48,666
Percent of Income Given: 2.32%
State Ranking: 35 out of 70
National Ranking: 22,120 out of 28,725 communities
Note: Data is from 2008 tax returns, the latest available at time of study.
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#34
Grafton
Total Contributions: $3.2 million
Median Contribution: $1,664
Median Income: $70, 865
Percent of Income Given: 2.35%
State Ranking: 34 out of 70
National Ranking: 8,905 out of 28,725 communities
Note: Data is from 2008 tax returns, the latest available at time of study.
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#33
Westminster
Total Contributions: $2.4 million
Median Contribution: $1,407
Median Income: $59,307
Percent of Income Given: 2.372%
State Ranking: 33 out of 70
National Ranking: 10,150 out of 28,725 communities
Note: Data is from 2008 tax returns, the latest available at time of study.
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#32
Granville
Total Contributions: $603,262
Median Contribution: $1,271
Median Income: $53,522
Percent of Income Given: 2.374%
State Ranking: 32 out of 70
National Ranking: 16,883 out of 28,725 communities
Note: Data is from 2008 tax returns, the latest available at time of study.
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#31
Milford
Total Contributions: $7.4 million
Median Contribution: $1,401
Median Income: $58,810
Percent of Income Given: 2.38%
State Ranking: 31 out of 70
National Ranking: 5,300 out of 28,725 communities
Note: Data is from 2008 tax returns, the latest available at time of study.
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#30
Northbridge
Total Contributions: $2 million
Median Contribution: $1,525
Median Income: $63,673
Percent of Income Given: 2.39%
State Ranking: 30 out of 70
National Ranking: 10,877 out of 28,725 communities
Note: Data is from 2008 tax returns, the latest available at time of study.
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#29
Lunenburg
Total Contributions: $4.1 million
Median Contribution: $1,431
Median Income: $59,837
Percent of Income Given: 2.391%
State Ranking: 29 out of 70
National Ranking: 7,816 out of 28,725 communities
Note: Data is from 2008 tax returns, the latest available at time of study.
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#28
Ashby
Total Contributions: $777,883
Median Contribution: $1,290
Median Income: $53,891
Percent of Income Given: 2.394%
State Ranking: 28 out of 70
National Ranking: 15,458 out of 28,725 communities
Note: Data is from 2008 tax returns, the latest available at time of study.
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#27
Northborough
Total Contributions: $8.1 million
Median Contribution: $1,803
Median Income: $74,607
Percent of Income Given: 2.41%
State Ranking: 27 out of 70
National Ranking: 4,895 out of 28,725 communities
Note: Data is from 2008 tax returns, the latest available at time of study.
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#26
Hopkinton
Total Contributions: $14.4 million
Median Contribution: $2,814
Median Income: $115,267
Percent of Income Given: 2.44%
State Ranking: 26 out of 70
National Ranking: 2,600 out of 28,725 communities
Note: Data is from 2008 tax returns, the latest available at time of study.
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#25
Paxton
Total Contributions: $2.3 million
Median Contribution: $1,553
Median Income: $63,406
Percent of Income Given: 2.45%
State Ranking: 25 out of 70
National Ranking: 10,291 out of 28,725 communities
Note: Data is from 2008 tax returns, the latest available at time of study.
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#24
Shrewsbury
Total Contributions: $17.1 million
Median Contribution: $1,770
Median Income: $72,176
Percent of Income Given: 2.452%
State Ranking: 24 out of 70
National Ranking: 2,039 out of 28,725 communities
Note: Data is from 2008 tax returns, the latest available at time of study.
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#23
Oakham
Total Contributions: $552,233
Median Contribution: $1,389
Median Income: $55,575
Percent of Income Given: 2.49%
State Ranking: 23 out of 70
National Ranking: 17,353 out of 28,725 communities
Note: Data is from 2008 tax returns, the latest available at time of study.
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#22
North Brookfield
Total Contributions: $820,267
Median Contribution: $1,207
Median Income: $48,176
Percent of Income Given: 2.5%
State Ranking: 22 out of 70
National Ranking: 15,183 out of 28,725 communities
Note: Data is from 2008 tax returns, the latest available at time of study.
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#21
Westborough
Total Contributions: $10.8 million
Median Contribution: $1,960
Median Income: $77,872
Percent of Income Given: 2.51%
State Ranking: 21 out of 70
National Ranking: 3,688 out of 28,725 communities
Note: Data is from 2008 tax returns, the latest available at time of study.
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#20
Bolton
Total Contributions: $4 million
Median Contribution: $2,531
Median Income: $100,082
Percent of Income Given: 2.52%
State Ranking: 20 out of 70
National Ranking: 7,980 out of 28,725 communities
Note: Data is from 2008 tax returns, the latest available at time of study.
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#19
Leominster
Total Contributions: $9.4 million
Median Contribution: $1,268
Median Income: $49,917
Percent of Income Given: 2.54%
State Ranking: 19 out of 70
National Ranking: 4,299 out of 28,725 communities
Note: Data is from 2008 tax returns, the latest available at time of study.
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#18
Uxbridge
Total Contributions: $4.2 million
Median Contribution: $1,487
Median Income: $58, 316
Percent of Income Given: 2.55%
State Ranking: 18 out of 70
National Ranking: 7,702 out of 28,725 communities
Note: Data is from 2008 tax returns, the latest available at time of study.
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#17
Clinton
Total Contributions: $2.9 million
Median Contribution: $1,146
Median Income: $44,740
Percent of Income Given: 2.56%
State Ranking: 17 out of 70
National Ranking: 9,395 out of 28,725 communities
Note: Data is from 2008 tax returns, the latest available at time of study.
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#16
Marlborough
Total Contributions: $10.7 million
Median Contribution: $1,529
Median Income: $56,560
Percent of Income Given: 2.70%
State Ranking: 16 out of 70
National Ranking: 3,754 out of 28,725 communities
Note: Data is from 2008 tax returns, the latest available at time of study.
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#15
Southbridge
Total Contributions: $2.2 million
Median Contribution: $1,194
Median Income: $44,086
Percent of Income Given: 2.71%
State Ranking: 15 out of 70
National Ranking: 10,533 out of 28,725 communities
Note: Data is from 2008 tax returns, the latest available at time of study.
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#14
Sterling
Total Contributions: $3.9 million
Median Contribution: $1,891
Median Income: $69,245
Percent of Income Given: 2.73%
State Ranking: 14 out of 70
National Ranking: 8,089 out of 28,725 communities
Note: Data is from 2008 tax returns, the latest available at time of study.
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#13
Fitchburg
Total Contributions: $5.1 million
Median Contribution: $1,215
Median Income: $42,876
Percent of Income Given: 2.83%
State Ranking: 13 out of 70
National Ranking: 6,877 out of 28,725 communities
Note: Data is from 2008 tax returns, the latest available at time of study.
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#12
Boylston
Total Contributions: $2.9 million
Median Contribution: $2,035
Median Income: $71,370
Percent of Income Given: 2.87%
State Ranking: 12 out of 70
National Ranking: 9,319 out of 28,725 communities
Note: Data is from 2008 tax returns, the latest available at time of study.
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#11
Holden
Total Contributions: $7.5 million
Median Contribution: $1,821
Median Income: $63,033
Percent of Income Given: 2.88%
State Ranking: 11 out of 70
National Ranking: 5,252 out of 28,725 communities
Note: Data is from 2008 tax returns, the latest available at time of study.
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#10
Southborough
Total Contributions: $14.9 million
Median Contribution: $4,482
Median Income: $154,780
Percent of Income Given: 2.89%
State Ranking: 10 out of 70
National Ranking: 2,481 out of 28,725 communities
Note: Data is from 2008 tax returns, the latest available at time of study.
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#9
Holland
Total Contributions: $533,505
Median Contribution: $1,318
Median Income: $44,776
Percent of Income Given: 2.94%
State Ranking: 9 out of 70
National Ranking: 17,552 out of 28,725 communities
Note: Data is from 2008 tax returns, the latest available at time of study.
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#8
Lancaster
Total Contributions: $3.2 million
Median Contribution: $1,895
Median Income: $63,591
Percent of Income Given: 3.0%
State Ranking: 8 out of 70
National Ranking: 8,943 out of 28,725 communities
Note: Data is from 2008 tax returns, the latest available at time of study.
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#7
West Boylston
Total Contributions: $2.7 million
Median Contribution: $1,677
Median Income: $55,628
Percent of Income Given: 3.01%
State Ranking: 7 out of 70
National Ranking: 9,684 out of 28,725 communities
Note: Data is from 2008 tax returns, the latest available at time of study.
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#6
Harvard
Total Contributions: $7.5 million
Median Contribution: $3,677
Median Income: $114,622
Percent of Income Given: 3.20%
State Ranking: 6 out of 70
National Ranking: 5,245 out of 28,725 communities
Note: Data is from 2008 tax returns, the latest available at time of study.
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#5
Princeton
Total Contributions: $3.1 million
Median Contribution: $2,274
Median Income: $70,187
Percent of Income Given: 3.24%
State Ranking: 5 out of 70
National Ranking: 9,095 out of 28,725 communities
Note: Data is from 2008 tax returns, the latest available at time of study.
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#4
East Brookfield
Total Contributions: $584,507
Median Contribution: $1,816
Median Income: $55,038
Percent of Income Given: 3.29%
State Ranking: 4 out of 70
National Ranking: 17,031 out of 28,725 communities
Note: Data is from 2008 tax returns, the latest available at time of study.
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#3
Petersham
Total Contributions: $463,643
Median Contribution: $1,887
Median Income: $57,245
Percent of Income Given: 3.3%
State Ranking: 3 out of 70
National Ranking: 18,337 out of 28,725 communities
Note: Data is from 2008 tax returns, the latest available at time of study.
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#2
Worcester
Total Contributions: $37.6 million
Median Contribution: $1,448
Median Income: $42,913
Percent of Income Given: 3.4%
State Ranking: 2 out of 70
National Ranking: 552 out of 11,522 towns
Note: Data is from 2008 tax returns, the latest available at time of study.
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#1
Berlin
Total Contributions: $1.6 million
Median Contribution: $2,409
Median Income: $67,454
Percent of Income Given: 3.57%
State Ranking: 1 out of 70
National Ranking: 11,806 out of 28,725 communities
Note: Data is from 2008 tax returns, the latest available at time of study.
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