Poor people are more generous than rich

[Michael]

America's poor are its most generous givers ...

The generosity of poor people isn't so much rare as rarely noticed, however. In fact, America's poor donate more, in percentage terms, than higher-income groups do, surveys of charitable giving show. What's more, their generosity declines less in hard times than the generosity of richer givers does.

"The lowest-income fifth (of the population) always give at more than their capacity," said Virginia Hodgkinson, former vice president for research at Independent Sector, a Washington-based association of major nonprofit agencies. "The next two-fifths give at capacity, and those above that are capable of giving two or three times more than they give."

Indeed, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' latest survey of consumer expenditure found that the poorest fifth of America's households contributed an average of 4.3 percent of their incomes to charitable organizations in 2007. The richest fifth gave at less than half that rate, 2.1 percent.
The figures probably undercount remittances by legal and illegal immigrants to family and friends back home, a multibillion-dollar outlay to which the poor contribute disproportionally.

Source (http://www.mcclatchydc.com/330/story/68456.html)

Nothing too surprising here. This pattern has been around for a long time.
What is interesting is the way 'conventional wisdom' just completely ignores this and likes to pretend that the only people who give to charities are rich people.

Not to mention the old argument that wealth accumulation is justified by the greater philanthropy that the rich supposedly engage in.

Apparently these 'nuggets' of conventional wisdom don't actually stand up to real world facts.

[partofme]

I wonder what counts as a charity in these studies. Some people give to political organizations, public radio, public television, and to other causes that don't really count as charity in my opinion. As much as I love symphony orchestras and art museums I think there is a big difference between these which are really about promoting a certain culture than anything and giving to people in poverty that truly could use the money just to get by. I also know people that make donations to their church and call that charity and some of the money does go to good causes and some goes to promoting a religious view. I also wonder who gives more to which.

[Michael]

I wonder what counts as a charity in these studies.
I believe 'all of the above'. They usually count all 'non-profit enterprises' as charities as far as I know.

Meaning, that includes donations to the symphony or to your alma mater.

[Americano]

I believe 'all of the above'. They usually count all 'non-profit enterprises' as charities as far as I know.

Meaning, that includes donations to the symphony or to your alma mater.

And non-profits fed by trusts to provide employment for family and friends.

[The Drunk Guy]

I believe 'all of the above'. They usually count all 'non-profit enterprises' as charities as far as I know.

Meaning, that includes donations to the symphony or to your alma mater.
You're absolutely right. And don't forget the Salvation Army and Goodwill stores. Rich people keep track of that shit because they donate for the tax break, not the for the sake of giving.

[Americano]

You're absolutely right. And don't forget the Salvation Army and Goodwill stores. Rich people keep track of that shit because they donate for the tax break, not the for the sake of giving.

Rich people give their used clothing, appliances even undesired vehicles to the help. At that potentially taxable income level donating taxable assets (especially those held long enough to appreciate and be subject to a capital gain tax far beyond the base value) make more sense to offset taxable income.

I've been involved with charities, including Salvation Army and Goodwill Industries, for the past 15-years as a volunteer. The middle class demands receipts for charitable contributions. One doesn't often see them toking a panhandler or giving away anything they're not tired of using or possessing.

[partofme]

Rich people give their used clothing, appliances even undesired vehicles to the help. At that potentially taxable income level donating taxable assets (especially those held long enough to appreciate and be subject to a capital gain tax far beyond the base value) make more sense to offset taxable income.

I've been involved with charities, including Salvation Army and Goodwill Industries, for the past 15-years as a volunteer. The middle class demands receipts for charitable contributions. One doesn't often see them toking a panhandler or giving away anything they're not tired of using or possessing.


My wife is the Queen of Goodwill, yard sales, and consignment sales. Oddly enough she has a yard sale every year and also volunteers in order to get good deals a consignment sales and also sales a bunch of our stuff in them. She also used to sell things on Ebay. Between her, me, and our two kids it makes sense but it seem like a whole lot of trouble but end the end I don't think we ever pay too much for clothing ever. I'm not sure if that's entirely ethical since we are not technically poor. It's almost like a hobby for her.