A Message of Gratitude
For years, taxpayers in blue states have quietly contributed billions more than they've received. No ribbon-cutting. No press release. Just roads. Schools. Hospitals. Quietly keeping America afloat.
Make Your Own Appreciation Card.
Since They Won't Do It for You.
About This Initiative
Every year, the federal government collects taxes and redistributes them across all 50 states. And every year, a handful of states put in more than they take out. The others... let's just say they appreciate the generosity. Even if they don't always say so.
Adopt-A-State is a taxpayer awareness initiative dedicated to helping the donors of this great nation understand the full scope of their quiet, involuntary philanthropy.
All data sourced from the Rockefeller Institute of Government, Tax Foundation, and USASpending.gov. This is real. All of it.
Show Your Appreciation
Upload your photo, pick your state, and generate a shareable card that says what they never will: thank you.
Make Your Card →Meet Your Beneficiaries
These states are doing their best. With your help, they are managing. Please continue your support.
Mississippi has been receiving more than it contributes for decades. With your continued support, its roads remain passable, its schools remain open, and its bridges remain... largely intact.
Kentucky receives the most federal aid per capita of any state. It has strong opinions about government spending. It would like you to know that these two facts are unrelated.
West Virginia's mountain roads, rural hospitals, and aging infrastructure are maintained in part thanks to the generous, involuntary contributions of New York, New Jersey, and California taxpayers. Always has been.
Alabama is a proud, independent state that receives nearly twice what it contributes to the federal system. It has strong feelings about self-reliance. Your taxes helped pave I-65. You're welcome.
South Carolina has beautiful beaches and deeply held convictions about small government. Its Medicaid program, military bases, and federal highway funding are deeply grateful for the ongoing arrangement.
Alaska receives more federal money per capita than almost any state in the union. It also pays its residents a dividend to live there. Both of these things coexist peacefully, apparently.
Your Official Documentation
You've been contributing all along. The least we can do is give you a piece of paper about it. Select your state and we'll generate your official certificate of involuntary philanthropy.
Official Certificate of Involuntary Generosity
This document certifies that the taxpayers of
[State]
contributed approximately
more to the federal government than they received in FY 2023.
A portion of this surplus funded roads, schools, hospitals, and various infrastructure projects in states that could not cover their own costs.
Issued by the Adopt-A-State Taxpayer Awareness Initiative • Data sourced from the Rockefeller Institute of Government • No actual thankyou was issued by any recipient state or its representatives. This certificate is the thank you.
Brought To You By
Real projects. Real federal dollars. Real states that did not write a thank you note.
Sponsored By
Interstate 65 Expansion
Louisville, KY
22 miles of highway resurfacing and bridge reinforcement. Funded in part through federal transportation grants redistributed from net contributor states.
New York Taxpayers 🧡Sponsored By
Medicaid Coverage
Jackson, MS
Mississippi's federal Medicaid match rate is 77%, meaning the federal government covers $0.77 of every dollar spent. That federal government is funded by you.
California Taxpayers 🧡Sponsored By
Rural Broadband Initiative
Morgantown, WV
$340M in federal broadband expansion funding allocated to West Virginia, a state that receives $2.07 for every dollar it sends to Washington.
New Jersey Taxpayers 🧡Sponsored By
Fort Rucker Military Base
Enterprise, AL
One of Alabama's 21 military installations, collectively injecting $15.6B annually into the state's economy via federal defense spending. Fiscal conservatism, applied selectively.
Illinois Taxpayers 🧡Sponsored By
FEMA Hurricane Relief
Charleston, SC
South Carolina received $2.3B in federal disaster relief between 2017-2023. FEMA does not charge co-pays. You absorb the difference. You're doing great.
Massachusetts Taxpayers 🧡Sponsored By
Permanent Fund Dividend
Juneau, AK
Alaska pays residents up to $3,284/year simply for living there, funded in part by oil revenues and substantial federal transfers. The frontier provides for itself. Mostly.
Colorado Taxpayers 🧡