ATLANTA (AP) — Georgians gave less money to charitable organizations through a program allowing them to check off donations on state income tax forms.

Checkoff donations on state income tax forms dropped by 9 percent during fiscal 2011, to around $1.1 million, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (http://bit.ly/a1eK) reported. Fiscal 2011, which ended June 30, reflects the 2010 tax year.

State tax forms allow Georgians to donate to eight statewide organizations, including those supporting families and soldiers of the National Guard, land and wildlife preservation, cancer research, preschool and elderly programs, and dog and cat sterilization efforts.

Seven of the eight organizations received fewer dollars.

The steepest decline came in contributions to the Statewide Land Conservation Program. Checkoff donations to that program in 2010 were about one-third of what they were in 2009, records show.

The Georgia National Guard Family Support Foundation saw a 24 percent drop-off and was the only organization to see donations dip to their lowest level in at least three years.

Despite the decline in giving during the most recent fiscal year, total donations in the program exceeded $1 million for the second consecutive year after dipping below the $1 million mark in 2008.

___

Information from: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, http://www.ajc.com