WASHINGTON — When tragedy strikes, many Americans pride themselves on helping those in need through donations, volunteering and charitable contributions.

So where do the most generous people live? In Maryland and Virginia, reports The Motley Fool via Daily Finance.

The report looked at information gathered by the Tax Foundation on the percentage of 2011 tax returns in each state that claimed deductions for charitable giving. The article also notes states’ contribution levels from 2008 tax records gathered by The Chronicle of Philanthropy.

Maryland topped the list of the most charitable states in the U.S. and Virginia came in sixth when looking at the percentage of tax returns with charitable deductions.

A bit more than 40 percent of Maryland residents deducted for charitable donations. Contributions came to $3.9 billion statewide, according to The Motley Fool.

The Chronicle of Philanthropy lists the contribution amount as $3.8 billion.

In the commonwealth, 32.5 percent of tax returns included charitable deductions. The state contributed $4.2 billion to charity.

Other generous states included New Jersey, Connecticut, Utah and Minnesota.

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