As this article points out, New Englanders donate the least amount of dollars to charity of any region in the U.S. My state, New Hampshire, is lowest on this totem pole. If the national average is 3%, the New England aggregate of six states, MA, RI, CT, NH, ME, VT, comes in at 2.04% with NH bringing up the rear with 1.74%. (philanthropy.com)
Why am I not surprised? I've been living and working in New England since 1997. As a region, New Englanders are tight with a buck, suspicious of newcomers, probably the last to let go of a quarter (and the eagle screams when they do so). I sell broadcast advertising on television. Getting a New Englander to trust me takes time...and I'm very trustworthy! Once they do trust you, you're in.
And, for the most part, they pay their bills on time, unlike the other parts of the country in which I've lived (especially California where it should be cash in advance 90% of the time).
This fascinates me and I wonder if the New England native's standoffish suspicion towards organized religion has anything to do with it? You'll notice the most generous areas are where Mormons and Baptists live. They know they're going to Hell if they don't tithe. I know this because I was raised in the Baptist church. And, believe me, I tithe!
If you're curious as to how you're neck of the woods stacks up, here's the list.
