LOGAN — Utahns continue to lead the nation in generosity, according to WalletHub’s 2026 report on the Most Charitable States. The Beehive State ranks second overall—behind only Wyoming—thanks to residents’ top marks for both volunteerism and charitable giving.
Utah claimed first place in volunteer rate, volunteer hours per capita, donated income, and the percentage of residents who donated time. More than 47% of Utahns volunteer each year, averaging more than 46 hours annually, and roughly 68% report doing favors for neighbors, from babysitting to lending tools.
Families in Utah also donate about 3.5% of their adjusted gross income—second-highest in the country—and rank third nationally for the percentage of taxpayers contributing financially to charitable causes.
Neighboring Wyoming took the top spot overall, while Idaho ranked 18th. Despite strong volunteer engagement (third in the nation), Idaho ranked 48th for charitable giving.
WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo said that charitable behavior is about more than big donations.
“The most charitable states aren’t just the places where people give the largest raw amounts of money,” Lupo said. “Many people can’t afford to give much money, especially due to inflation, but they generously donate their time, which is just as important.”
Experts noted that rising operational costs and reduced government funding have challenged U.S. nonprofits in recent years, underscoring the importance of individual donations and community-based volunteering.
Utah’s high volunteerism rate reflects a long-standing culture of service that extends into communities across Cache Valley and Northern Utah, where church groups, civic organizations, and local nonprofits rely heavily on volunteer efforts to support food banks, shelters, and community events.