Charitable Giving Report for MS

New charities report published
The Clarion-Ledger
Secretary of State Eric Clark today announced the publication of the ninth annual comprehensive financial report on charities operating in Mississippi, the first to contain initial financial information on charitable giving since Hurricane Katrina.
"Mississippians always rank near the top nationally for generosity," Clark said. "This report is a great tool for those who want to give wisely as well as generously. It also sends the clear signal that the Secretary of State's Office will carefully examine the financial records of every single Katrina-related charity to ensure the law is followed and all donations are accounted for."
Copies of the report are available from the Secretary of State's Office by calling 601-359-6344 or 800-256-3494. There is no charge for single copies to individuals, Clark said.
The complete report is available on the Secretary of State's website at www.sos.state.ms.us. This year a supplemental report on Katrina charities is being published separately. Clark 's office reports that 76 charities registered after the hurricane to provide relief to Katrina victims. Eighteen previously registered charities expanded their mission to include Katrina relief. In all, 55 Katrina-related charities are based in Mississippi.
Mississippi ranks No. 2 in the nation this year on the "Generosity Index" compiled by the Catalogue for Philanthropy in Boston . Arkansas ranks #1 this year. Over the past ten years, Mississippi has ranked #1 eight times. The ranking is based on the percentage of income given to church and charity in each state."
Mississippians practice Southern hospitality and take seriously the Biblical injunction to love thy neighbor as thyself," Clark said.
"The ranking proves that."