Sept. 11 led to surge in charitable giving

By Christie Wilson
Advertiser Staff Writer

Despite making less money in 2001, Hawai'i residents were more generous to churches and other nonprofit organizations, according to an annual index of charitable giving.

Still, Hawai'i ranked 33 out of the 50 states on the Catalogue for Philanthropy's generosity index.

Mississippi, Arkansas and South Dakota topped the index, while New Hampshire was at the bottom of the list, followed by Rhode Island and New Jersey.

The index published by the nonprofit Catalogue for Philanthropy in Needham, Mass., reflects adjusted gross income and itemized charitable donations reported on 2001 federal tax returns, the latest available.

Hawai'i taxpayers saw their income fall 1.1 percent to an average of $41,341, but increased giving by 4.7 percent, to an average of $2,696 per person. The national average was $3,500.

A report on the index notes that while the stock market and economy declined in 2001, the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks inspired a surge in charitable giving. In fact, Hawai'i improved its position on the generosity index by two spots over its 2000 ranking.

Aloha United Way felt the surge, exceeding its 2001 fund-raising goal after issuing a post-Sept. 11 appeal for extra support to help workers in the visitor industry and others who were laid off or saw their hours reduced.

"I was hoping that would continue into 2002, but it simply didn't happen that way," said AUW President Irv Lauber. "I don't see any upward trend."

The Aloha United Way's fund-raising goal for 2003 — $13 million — is the lowest in years. Although the campaign officially ended last month, companies are still collecting pledges from employees. Lauber said that at this point it looks like the campaign is falling short, largely because of worries about the economy.

"Although the (economic) numbers looks better, I'm not sure people feel it yet," he said.

Reach Christie Wilson at (808) 244-4880 or at cwilson@honoluluadvertiser.com.