MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — West Virginians are giving less money to charity, according to a new report from Philanthropy West Virginia.
Paul Daugherty, president and CEO of Philanthropy West Virginia, said its the continuation of a downward trend that started during the recession.
“We’re still dealing with not recovering from the ‘Great Recession’ and we know it’s an economic impact and so it hurts those vital organizations that serve our communities across the Mountain State,” Daugherty said.
The 2015 State of Philanthrophy Report showed charitable giving from West Virginians, as reported to the Internal Revenue Service, declined about 2.2 percent or $10.4 million in 2013 compared with 2012 even though itemized giving nationally was up by 5.4 percent.
2013 was the most recent year for comprehensive tax data.
The height of charitable giving in West Virginia, according to Daugherty, was $515 million in 2009. That annual number has now fallen to $471 million.
Philanthropy West Virginia’s report determined all income households, except those in the range of $100,000 to $200,000, saw a decrease in charitable giving in 2013 from 2012 figures.
By income classes, the giving in West Virginia meets or exceeds national averages in low and middle income households, but is below the national average when it comes to high income households.
“A lot of times we’ve talked about charitable giving being something that’s more for the wealthy but, in West Virginia, all income levels give generously,” Daugherty said on MetroNews “Talkline.”
Ahead of the holidays, “It’s an important time right now to think about how to invest local and, especially with key public policy initiatives like the West Virginia Neighborhood Investment Program, those things allow people to give more to charities in West Virginia.”
From 2005 through 2013, West Virginians donated more than $4.19 billion to charities.
For more on Philanthropy West Virginia’s report, click here.