LISTEN: Utah ranked as the second most charitable state
Nov 14, 2024, 6:00 AM
Julie Broadbent of Orem colors a whale during the Chalk the Block for Charity Utah event at The Shops at Riverwoods in Provo on Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024. Utah was ranked the second most charitable state in the country. (Laura Seitz, Deseret News)
(Laura Seitz, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY — According to this year’s World Giving Index report, Utah is the second most charitable state in the country.
Wyoming claimed the number one spot, while Minnesota followed Utah at number three. Maine ranked fourth and Delaware fifth.
While the World Giving Index report is a worldwide report, Wallethub broke down the nationwide numbers. They said while Utah was ranked number two overall, the state does have the highest volunteer rate (41%). Utah is also in a three-way, first place tie for highest percent of donated income, tied with Arkansas and Wyoming.
Inside Sources co-hosts Greg Skordas and Adam Gardiner discussed this news Wednesday afternoon, where Skordas called this ranking a surprise.
“We’re always number one in charity,” he said. “And you would you completely understand why we’re incredibly charitable state. The [Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints] is certainly as charitable as any organization I can think of worldwide.”
Skordas says according to the report, nearly 62% of Utah’s population reported helping out with tasks like house sitting, watching children, and lending tools at least once in the past year.
“This is one of those things where I think Utah probably wins three out of four years when they do a poll like this.”
Other report highlights
According to the report, the United States is the sixth-most generous country in the world.
In 2023, U.S. residents gave almost $560 billion to charity. They also volunteered a combined total of 4.1 billion hours.
Indonesia was reported as the most generous country in the world, a rank they’ve held for seven years.
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