County among most generous

People who live in Island County are among the most generous in the state.

A recent study by financial technology company SmartAsset found that the county ranks fifth in the percentage of people’s net income that was donated and the proportion of the population that made charitable donations, based on IRS numbers.

This probably isn’t a surprise to most residents of Island County, where there are plenty of opportunities for giving.

On Whidbey Island alone, there are more than 350 nonprofit organizations, from the Adoption Network to Youth for a New World.

The study found that people donate an average of 22 percent of their net income in Island County. The highest percentage was in San Juan County, where the average is 32.9 percent.

Snohomish County residents, in comparison, donated an average of 18 percent.

In addition, the study found that 52.8 percent of Island County residents claimed on tax documents to have made charitable donations, which is among the highest percentage.

The Whidbey Community Foundation was formed to help people navigate the many nonprofit organizations and to aid those groups through philanthropy, training and “capacity building,” according to its website at www.whidbeyfoundation.org.