The number of nonprofits in Utah grew 6 percent in 2024, bringing the total number of tax-exempt organizations to 12,537, according to a new study from the Utah Foundation.
Of that total, 10,811, or 86.3 percent, are 501(c)(3) charitable organizations that have missions that serve religious, educational, charitable, scientific, literary, public safety, animal, and child well-being purposes.
Those charities hold over $57 billion in assets, with the 17 largest charities holding nearly 70 percent, or about $40 billion. The largest charities are hospitals, philanthropic organizations or educational institutions.
The study based its figures on IRS filings. It does not include religious income and assets, which are not reported to the IRS.
“Economic problems are often left to the ‘invisible hand’ of the free market, trusting that each person’s self-interest will maximize the production of goods and services that we all need,” the report states. “We also look to governments when the market falls short. Yet we often overlook the role of nonprofits. These organizations help fill the gaps left by the market or government.”
On average, Utah has 3.03 charities per 1,000 people, below the U.S. figure of 4.75 charities per 1,000 people.
“Nonprofits are an important part of the strength of the state,” said Shawn Teigen, President of the Utah Foundation. “We are excited to have partnered with the Utah Nonprofit Association to provide a look at Utah’s charities from the perspective of IRS data.”
The report indicates that Utah’s charities add a relatively large value to the state. In terms of income and assets per capita, Utah outperforms the nation by about 75 percent, although this is not equal across the counties. For example, Kane County ranks near the top of the list, largely due to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary.
More than half of Utah’s charities (56 percent) are small, with annual incomes under $50,000. About 44 percent of organizations reported no income. Another 12 percent of organizations reported incomes between $1 and $50,000.
As with income, most charities have assets below $50,000 per year. About 45 percent of organizations show no assets and 9 percent report assets between $1 and $50,000. Another 18 percent of organizations were not required to report assets. Of the remaining 28 percent of organizations, about 58 percent have assets under $500,000. About 42 percent have assets of $500,000 or more.
Charities’ assets by county (per 1,000 population) in 2024 include Wayne ($45,479, due primarily to Wayne Community Health Centers), Salt Lake ($45,379) and Kane (nearly $40,000, due to Best Friends Animal Society). Beaver and Piute county charities had no assets.
Utah charities have assets of $18,531 per 1,000 residents, above the nation figure of $10,522.
Nearly 1,400 of Utah charities are focused on education. Next is arts, culture and humanities, at more than 1,100.
Most Utah nonprofit charitable organizations are independent entities, meaning that they are not affiliated with a national, regional or geographic grouping of organizations.
The report indicates that 41 percent of organizations receive a substantial part of their support from a governmental unit or the general public.
The report can be downloaded at https://www.utahfoundation.org/reports/the-state-of-nonprofits-in-utah-a-view-of-charities-from-irs-filings/.