Little Silver, Oceanport Residents Less Charitable Than Neighbors, Study Shows

Little Silver and Oceanport residents gave $11.4 million to charity in 2008 but both municipalities gave less on average as a proportion of income when compared to greater Monmouth County, New Jersey and the entire United States, a recent analysis shows.

Little Silver residents gave an average of 3.1 percent of their discretionary income to charity in 2008, the most recent year studied by the Chronicle of Philanthropy, a service that covers the nonprofit industry. Oceanport residents were less generous, giving 2.1 percent of their discretionary income to charity in 2008.

Those averages fall short when compared with the county (4.2 percent), state (3.7 percent) and national (4.7 percent) averages. 

However, both municipalities far exceed the whole dollar amounts given to charity when compared to the county, state and nation.

In 2008, Little Silver residents gave a total of $7.3 million with a median contribution of $3,519. Oceanport residents donated $4.1 million with a median contribution of $3,938.

In comparison, Monmouth residents averaged a $2,253 contribution, the state averaged $2,181 and the overall national average was $2,564.

The proportion of money given to charity in both municipalities was highest among households with the lowest incomes and fell as household incomes climbed. 

Little Silver households earning from $50,000 to $99,999 gave an average of 6.8 percent of their discretionary income to charity; households earning from $100,000 to $199,999 gave 3.7 percent; and those making $200,000 and up donated 2.2 percent.

Oceanport households earning from $50,000 to $99,999 gave an average of 5.9 percent of their discretionary income to charity; households earning from $100,000 to $199,999 gave 3.2 percent; and those making $200,000 and up donated 1.7 percent.

However, the dollar amounts given were highest among the wealthiest households and fell with discretionary incomes. 

Little Silver households earning $200,000 and up gave an average of $7,342; households earning from $100,000 to $199,999 gave $2,950; and households making from $50,000 to $99,999 gave $1,653.

Oceanport households earning $200,000 and up gave an average of $5,710; households earning from $100,000 to $199,999 gave $2,656; and households earning from $50,000 to $99,999 gave $1,674.