Memphis is the second most generous city in the country, according to a new survey by The Chronicle of Philanthropy. (Salt Lake City was 1st.)

The South was the nation’s most generous region — Mississippi was first, Tennessee third and Arkansas sixth.

The rankings were based on % of discretionary income donated to charities (faith-based and secular).

According to the publication:

“Religion plays a major role in how much money Americans give to charity. The parts of the country that tend to be more religious are also more generous.”

Why is this true? Why are Memphians so generous?