Maybe the phrase “Masshole” can be put to rest: Massachusetts has ranked at the top of GoFundMe’s list of the most generous states in the country this year, with the rest of New England sweeping the board.
In its “2023 Year in Help Report,” GoFundMe said more than 30 million people gave or received help through the fundraising site. It has helped raise more than $25 billion worldwide with more than 200 million donations made in all. One donation is made every second.
Massachusetts came in third, just behind two other New England states on the site’s generosity rankings, with Vermont taking first for the second year in a row and Maine in second place.
New Hampshire was in fourth place, Rhode Island in fifth and Connecticut in seventh.
GoFundMe said its report was “highlighting stories of resilience” along with the most-generous communities and data from fundraising.
It said people collected donations this year for various causes, including student loans, keeping businesses open, caring for animals and rebuilding after natural disasters.
Highlights for causes in 2023 included “macroeconomic challenges and societal shifts,” GoFundMe said, such as the end of pandemic-era meal programs in schools and of student loan forgiveness, and increased needs for seniors and their families.
The report also highlighted some of the top fundraisers in Massachusetts from 2023. These included, with totals as of Dec. 8:
- Support for Jaime’s Restaurant, $164,504
- Honoring Ariana’s Memory by Supporting the Suttons, $386,600
- J&J Farms in Amherst, MA, $144,033
- Mattapan Patriots get to AYF NATIONALS in FL, $53,845
- Natural Roots Flood Relief, $91,813
- Tragic loss of BPD Officer Maxwell’s wife Vakita, $64,401
- Help for the Troen – Mathias Children, $242,723
