The holiday season often ignites a collective pulse of generosity, but in the United States that impulse doesn’t wait until December. El World Giving Index once again placed the country among the most supportive in the worldexactly at number 6, and the most recent figures from Giving USA confirm that Philanthropy remains a deeply rooted cultural force: In 2024, American donors contributed more than $592 billion to charities, with two-thirds coming directly from individuals.
The solidarity equation, however, is not solved with dollars alone. According to the latest national data, Almost 76 million people volunteer in the US, adding around 5,000 million hours of service per year. If that effort were calculated as a salary, it would be equivalent to $167 billion in community work.
In this context, the financial platform WalletHub published its annual ranking of the most charitable states in the countrybased on 17 indicators that measure everything from the rate of volunteering to the percentage of income donated and support for the homeless. The list—a kind of emotional map of the country—seeks to illuminate where the culture of giving is strongest.
The 10 most charitable states in the US
WalletHub established the following overall ranking:
1) Wyoming
2) Utah
3) Maryland
4) Minnesota
5) Virginia
6) Colorado
7) Delaware
8) Maine
9) Pennsylvania
10) Oregon
The research is based on the premise that charity is more than numbers. As WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo explained, “Generosity not only depends on how much money is donated, but also on the percentage of income that people allocate to social causes and the time they are willing to offer.” Lupo also recalled that inflation has limited the ability of many households to contribute financially, which is why volunteering takes on double value: “it is just as important.”
Below, a deeper look at the 3 states leading the list.
Wyoming: the unexpected leader
In the heart of the Great Plains, Wyoming tops the national rankings thanks to a rare and powerful mix of time, money and community efforts.
Its residents dedicate almost 29 hours a year to volunteering, the 5th highest average in the country. Besides, around 34% of the population provides community service, demonstrating a sustained commitment that goes beyond the end of year festivities.
But generosity also appears in their tax returns: Wyoming is the state where taxpayers donate the highest percentage of their adjusted gross income, about 4%. And more than 40% of its inhabitants participate in fundraising activities or selling products to support charitable causes.
Another notable aspect is the social support infrastructure: Wyoming has the second-most Feeding America food banks per capita and provides shelter to more than 82% of its homeless population. A sample of coordination between the community and state institutions.
Utah: the volunteer giant
If volunteerism had an American capital, it would be in Utah. The state ranks 2nd overall, but is number one in the country in community service metrics.
About 47% of its inhabitants formally participate in volunteer programs, and they contribute more than 46 hours per year per capita, the highest figure in the country. Beyond organized programs, there is a strong culture of neighborhood support: more than 68% of residents said they have helped a neighbor with everyday tasks in the past year.
Utah is also a particularly active state in donations: Families contribute about 3.5% of their adjusted gross income to charitable causes, the second highest percentage in the country.
Maryland: organized generosity
In third place appears Maryland, a state where solidarity is expressed in a sustained way, both economically and in volunteering.
More than 16% of taxpayers donate money to charities, the highest rate in the US, and The population allocates an average of 2% of their adjusted gross income to donations. Maryland also stands out for its philanthropic ecosystem: it has the 8th highest number of highly rated charities per capita.
Regarding community actions, occupies high positions in activities such as collecting or distributing clothes for people in need, and offers shelter to around 83% of its homeless population.
Even their Google searches reflect a notable interest in topics such as “charity”, “non-profit organizations” or “volunteer”.
And you? How to decide the most effective way to help
WalletHub remembers that each person can contribute according to their possibilities. Its Charity Calculator allows you to estimate what form of help, money, time, resources, can generate the greatest impact, depending on the level of income and availability.
As the end of the year progresses, the country enters that point in the calendar where solidarity seems to hold a little longer. And if the data is any guide, generosity remains one of the most persistent—and luminous—drivers of American life.
Keep reading:
* Girl activated a charity that has allowed dozens of computers to be donated to poor students in New York
* The real reasons why people make charitable donations
* Where does the money that is donated go?