Alabama Ranks Fifth-Least Charitable State

A WalletHub study of all 50 states places Alabama near the bottom for charitable giving and volunteering.

Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Philanthropy

Alabama Ranks Fifth-Least Charitable State

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WalletHub released a study ranking Alabama as the fifth-least charitable state across 17 metrics comparing all 50 states. The report divides its metrics into Volunteering & Service and Charitable Giving categories.

Why it matters

The ranking highlights gaps in volunteering and civic engagement across Alabama, where residents' charitable participation trails much of the country. Measures such as volunteer rates and food bank support can shape how well local communities respond to needs like hunger and homelessness.

Alabama ranks 49th for Volunteering & Service and 34th for Charitable Giving, with about 20% of residents volunteering and roughly 10 volunteer hours per capita each year. The study does not address the underlying causes of these figures.

The players

WalletHub

WalletHub is a personal finance website that publishes consumer research and comparative rankings on topics such as taxes, credit, and charitable giving.

The details

WalletHub compared all 50 states across 17 metrics, including volunteer rate, share of income donated, food banks per capita, and the share of homeless people sheltered. Alabama shelters around 41% of its homeless population and ranks 17th for Feeding America food banks per capita, while ranking 20th for the share of taxpayers who donate to charity.

November 9, 2026: WalletHub published its Alabama charity ranking.

Philanthropy Landscape

WalletHub's recurring state rankings of charitable giving and volunteering, which weigh giving against volunteer hours, place Alabama among the lowest-engaged states. Utah tops this edition with a total score of 68.97, the highest in the study.

Residents who give or volunteer locally can help address the gaps identified in the ranking, particularly in volunteer participation and food bank support. Alabama's position in the study may matter to those deciding where to direct donations or time.

The takeaway

Charitable participation varies widely by state, and Alabama's volunteer and giving metrics show where engagement lags. Individuals who want to strengthen local support can start with the causes most tied to these gaps, such as food banks and shelter services.