Map Shows States That Give the Most Money to Charity 

As Thanksgiving approaches, thousands of Americans will be preparing to donate money to causes close to their hearts and volunteering at shelters to provide food for those less fortunate than themselves.

According to the latest World Giving Index, the U.S. ranks as the sixth-most-generous country globally. In 2023, U.S. donors contributed nearly $560 billion to charity, with 67% of these funds coming from individuals, as reported by Giving USA. ​

Beyond financial donations, Americans also dedicate significant time to charitable causes. About 61 million people volunteer annually, contributing a staggering 4.1 billion hours of service, which equates to an estimated $122.9 billion in volunteer work, according to financial statistics site WalletHub.

Drawing on data gathered by WalletHub, Newsweek has created this map to show U.S. states that donate the most money to charity.

Utah has emerged as a leader in charitable giving across the country.

The state leads the U.S. with the highest volunteer rate (40.7%) and most volunteer hours per capita (39.42 hours). Driven by a devout population, Utah residents also donate generously, giving 3.89% of their income on average. Over half of Utah’s population actively contributes their time to charitable causes.

It was followed by Wyoming, which consistently ranks at the top for number of food banks and volunteer hours, with residents demonstrating a remarkable commitment to helping others.

Wyoming ranks as the second-most-charitable state, with a 39.2% volunteer rate. Despite being the least populated state, Wyoming offers abundant charitable opportunities per resident.

It has the third-highest number of Feeding America food banks per million residents and leads in charities, with 47.41 per capita. Each year, residents and businesses come together for WyoGives Day, raising millions to support local communities in need.

This combination of monetary and voluntary contributions shows the strong spirit of generosity within the country.

First Lady of Wyoming Jennie Gordon, wife of Governor Mark Gordon, told Newsweek: “Folks in Wyoming are more likely to help their neighbors because they know their neighbors. Many businesses in our state want to invest in the communities that they work in, resulting in philanthropic gestures to the organizations that serve those who need it most. State-wide giving days like WyoGives make more people aware of the many nonprofit organizations that are in need of funding and Wyoming people always step up.”

Mike Yin, Democratic minority leader of the Wyoming House of Representatives, told Newsweek: “Wyoming is a place where you know many of your neighbors. That makes our state a place where we care about our communities.”

Jody Shields, executive director at the Wyoming Nonprofit Network, told Newsweek: “It is often said that Wyoming is a small town with a very long main street. Wyomingites have a strong sense of community and state pride. They value caring for their communities and neighbors, whether through volunteering or donating. Wyoming has consistently ranked high in volunteerism, so these findings align with what we know about our state. Additionally, Wyoming’s charitable giving rank is likely influenced by Teton County, one of the most philanthropic counties in the country.”

Other states that follow closely behind Wyoming include Minnesota and Maine, which show a strong performance in financial contributions and community service.

At the opposite end of the spectrum, New Mexico ranks as one of the least charitable states, reflecting lower donation rates and volunteer participation.

The border state ranks dead last in volunteering and second last in donating to charitable causes.

Nonprofits still play a key role in states like New Mexico, where economic challenges often limit individual capacity to donate. Despite the state’s ranking, local nonprofits remain vital in addressing essential needs and supporting vulnerable populations.

Jonika Horton, interim executive director at New Mexico Children’s Foundation, told Newsweek: “This study highlights the crucial role that nonprofits play, particularly in states like New Mexico, where economic challenges can limit individuals’ ability to donate.

“Despite high levels of community commitment, the state’s low per capita income—ranking 47th nationally—means many people are stretched thin financially. Yet, local nonprofits continue to step in, addressing vital needs and supporting vulnerable populations.

“By investing in local nonprofits, donors can have a lasting impact on communities where resources are often limited. Every contribution here truly matters, helping organizations like ours bridge the gap and create sustainable change in New Mexico.
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Arizona and Nevada were also in the bottom tier of the rankings.

Chip Lupo, and analyst at WalletHub, said in a statement: “The most charitable states aren’t just the places where people give the largest raw amounts of money.

“The share of the population contributing and the percentage of their incomes they’re willing to use to help others are big factors in showing how charitable people are. In addition, many people can’t afford to give much money, especially due to the influence of inflation, but they generously donate their time, which is just as important.”