STE:Lower earners more giving of time and funds, Poll says

   Associated Press

   WASHINGTON - - Americans of low and moderate incomes are more
generous with their financial contributions and time than their upper
income counterparts, according to a Gallup poll released Tuesday.

   "Contrary to popular opinion, the well-to-do in America cannot be
described as generous," said Brian O'Connell, president of the
Independent Sector, a coalition of 650 corporate, foundation and
volunteer organizations that commissioned the survey by theGallup
Organization.

   "Giving and volunteering in America is a stark contrast between
heart warming generosity and bone chilling selfishness," he said,
noting the results of the in-home interviews conducted last March with
2,775 Americans 18 years and older.

   O'Connell told a news conference that contributing households with
incomes below $10,000 give an average of 2.8 percent of their incomes
to charity, while those with incomes between $50,000 and $75,000 give
1.5 percent. Those earning %75,000 to $100,000 donated 1.7 percent, and
those with incomes over $100,000 give 2.1 percent.

   Overall, the survey said seven out of ten households in America
contributed an average of $790 to charitable organizations, with 45
percent volunteering an average of 4.7 hours a week in time to causes
and organizations in 1987.

   GIVING TO CHARITY

   -- 48 PERCENT OF TOTAL CONTRIBUTIONS IN U.S. come from households
with incomes below $30,000.

   -- Those with incomes of over $100,000 give only 2.1 percent of
their income, while those earining less than $10,000 give 2.8 percent

   -- Over all, seven in ten Americans donated to charitable causes,
giving an average of $790 per year.

   -- One-third of the contributors thought that they did not give
enough.

   Source; Gallup Poll
