BOSTON – A new study shows that when it comes to charitable giving, New Hampshire’s wealthiest residents are keeping their wallets closed.

The study, which appears in the Winter 2001 issue of Commonwealth Magazine, claims New Hampshire ranks 49th out of the 50 states in charitable donations, with an average donation of $4,958.

The index compares the giving of residents with incomes of more than $100,000. The ranking of other New England states: Massachusetts was 45th (average donation: $6,232), Rhode Island placed 46th ($5,523), Connecticut ,47th ($6,447). Vermont earned a respectable 22nd place with an average $6,614 donation.

Utah finished No. 1, with its residents giving an average of $14,518 a year.