If money wasn’t an object, which charities would you support? Would the cats and hounds be better off for your donations? Would charities caring for the needs of children be richer for it? Or would you be putting cash behind local conservation causes?
For many of us, donating to charitable causes is something we’d love to do but after daily expenses, mortgage repayments and escalating bills, there just isn’t that much left over for philanthropic efforts. But if you suddenly found yourself wealthy beyond measure, how would you give back? How would your community benefit and which charities would receive some extra cash?
This is the question LotteryTexts posed to 3,000 ordinary Americans. If funds weren’t a concern, the average American would jump at the opportunity to give back and the survey results show just where the nation would like to help out.
For those in California, conservation seemed the biggest concern, with survey respondents saying they would put their money behind efforts like redwood protection, eco tourism and environmental education.
Montana residents on the other hand thought that charities that focused on the preservation of Native American culture deserved the most support. Locals of this state said they would focus their funds on supporting indigenous centres and educational programs.
Culturally relevant charities also were important to Missourians who said that their top picks would be charities that focused on keeping their blues and jazz scenes alive. They would choose to spend their funds supporting local musicians, restoring historic venues and funding musical education initiatives.
Moving on to New Hampshire, respondents also saw a need to support tourism based charities, especially those with a focus on local businesses and championing the state’s history.
Similarly, Michaganders would want to support tourism-based charities, specifically those involved in lighthouse preservation and education.
Infographic highlighting the top philanthropic choice in each state
“It’s heartwarming to see that, given the means, so many Americans would prioritize making a meaningful difference in their local communities rather than indulging solely in personal luxuries,” said Melissa Brown of LotteryTexts. “Whether it’s preserving cultural heritage or protecting the environment, this study shows a deep desire to give back when the opportunity arises.”