ALBANY, Ga. (AP) — A report from a national philanthropy journal ranks Albany as the most generous community in Georgia when it comes to charitable giving.

The Albany Herald reports that only seven communities in the U.S. gave more than Albany's median 8.4 percent of discretionary income.

The special report, "How America Gives," ranked the Macon metro area second in percentage of discretionary income given to charities, with 7.7 percent.

"Like most nonprofits, we'd like to be doing better, but most folks who are able to give are giving. We depend on the community for help and we're grateful they're coming through for us," said Bob Hutchinson, director of operations for the Albany Boys and Girls Clubs.

Hutchinson said there is apprehension regarding the looming "fiscal cliff" crisis in Washington, which has nonprofits awaiting inevitable cuts and the effects that would follow sequestration.

"Things will probably get worse before they get better," Hutchinson said, "but individual giving is still pretty good."

The report showed the region of southern states outranking the three other U.S. regions with 5.2 percent of discretionary income donated.

By comparison, the Northeast, Midwest and West gave 4 to 4.5 percent. However, when religious giving is taken from the picture, Southerners drop to the bottom with 0.9 percent versus the best showing of 1.4 percent in the Northeast.