For the tenth consecutive year, the Corporation for National and Community Service has ranked Utah first in the U.S. for volunteerism because of Utahns’ generosity and commitment to improve their communities.
Gov. Gary R. Herbert and UServeUtah, the Utah Commission on Service and Volunteerism announced the 2015 Volunteering and Civic Life in America (VCLA) report ranked Utah as the No. 1 volunteering state in the nation for the tenth consecutive year. The announcement was held at a press conference at the Capitol building in conjunction with release of the CNCS report.
“Utahns have an unwavering commitment to strengthen our communities and are quick to lend a helping hand to their neighbors,” Gov. Herbert said. “Volunteer work is an important part of our Beehive State values.”
Research from the VCLA 2015 report ranks Utah as the No. 1 volunteering state in the nation with 46 percent of adults volunteering. The report is part of the most comprehensive study of volunteering and civic engagement across the country. The data is gathered annually through the Current Population Survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau. Data was collected on the volunteering and civic activities of Americans age 16 and older.
Senator Hatch, President Pro Tempore of the U.S. Senate and sponsor of the Serve America Act of 2008 lauded Utah’s number one ranking in volunteering for its 10th year: “A culture of volunteerism – giving time in service to others – is one thing that sets our state apart. As Utahns, we seek to serve selflessly and are always ready to lend a helping hand to those in need. And in turn, that service transforms those who serve. I am proud to represent a state that cultivates the spirit of volunteerism in its citizens, young and old.”
The total economic value of volunteer service in Utah is $4.5 billion based on the national hourly value in 2015. More than 950,000 volunteers served approximately 193.7 million total hours, an increase of 38.8 million from 2014.
The spirit of Utah’s volunteerism is exemplified in individual cities. The report also ranks the nation’s largest cities and metropolitan areas for their volunteering and civic engagement rates. For the first time since the report was released, Salt Lake City moved into the No. 1 ranking in the metropolitan cities category nationally. For mid-sized cities Provo ranked No. 1 again with Ogden coming in a close second. The complete report can be accessed at VolunteeringInAmerica.gov.
