Mitt romney which charities

So who wins the more charitable candidate contest? It depends on how you count it, and the public data is incomplete. But the gist is this: In recent years, the Obamas have been at least as charitable, if not more charitable, than the Romneys, while at the same time paying a greater share of their income in federal taxes. Romney, who has probably paid far less of a share of his income in federal taxes over his lifetime, has also probably given a larger lifetime share of his earnings to charity, with much of that money going to his church.

But for most observers, the details will probably matter less than the big picture: Both families are wealthy, and neither family is stingy. In recent years, they have both given far more to charity than the averages for their income brackets. Romney has not released his return, but he has released an estimation of that return. If those numbers stand, and not counting the Romney independent charitable foundation, the Obamas would therefore with the who-is-more-charitable contest for by a couple percentage points of total income.

The Obamas also paid a higher percentage of their income in federal taxes, since less of the income came from investments, which are taxed at a lower rate. Matt C. By Matt C. Abbott January 20, The views expressed by RenewAmerica columnists are their own and do not necessarily reflect the position of RenewAmerica or its affiliates. See RenewAmerica's publishing standards. Abbott Matt C.

Abbott is a Catholic commentator with a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication, media and theatre from Northeastern Illinois University. He can be reached at mattcabbott gmail. Note: I welcome and appreciate thoughtful feedback. Insults will be ignored. But starting at the end of , around the time Romney was gearing up for his first presidential run, the Romneys' foundation started giving to highly conservative organizations. Bush Presidential Library in As recently as this week , GOP hardliners have questioned Romney's conservative bona fides.

But through his foundation's giving, it appears that Romney has tried to align himself with more squarely with conservative groups. Some of his gifts have been partisan, but the foundation passes the legal sniff test, said Daniel Borochoff, president of Charity Watch, a watchdog group. Celebrities often set up charitable arms, such as foundations, as a way to channel their wealth and build good will. The Romneys are no different. Romney gave to both organizations in as well, the Boston Globe reported.

The Romneys' foundation also has given to conservative political interest groups in Massachusetts over the years, the Boston Globe reported. The following year, the Romneys renamed the foundation the Tyler Charitable Foundation, for the street they lived on in Belmont, Mass. Since , the Romenys have actively used the foundation to give money to their causes. In , Mitt Romney moved stock from two companies from his personal account to the foundation , saving himself hundreds of thousands of dollars in taxes, The Huffington Post reported.