SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - It's a trait that's been passed down through generations.
South Dakotans have a penchant for giving and there's study to backup the claim.
Jill Gonzalez with WalletHub, a personal finance website, says South Dakotans are fervent givers.
Gonzalez says South Dakota ranks as 12th most charitable, overall, nationwide. She says that's especially true when it comes to charitable giving in volunteering and service areas. It shows that South Dakotans choose to donate their time which Gonzalez says charity organizations need now more than ever.
She says the volunteer ranking in South Dakota is the second highest edged out only by Utah. Over a third of the state's residents regularly volunteer. And the volunteer retention rate is around 75% which is the third highest in the nation.
South Dakotans tend to volunteer to causes and groups that they're passionate about and volunteer year after year.
South Dakota ranks fifth nationwide when in come to donating financially.
Gonzalez says in South Dakota making donations goes beyond the tax incentives. She says it includes giving money to a homeless person on the street or dropping money into a Salvation Army red kettle. Those efforts count in the survey as well.
Utah ranked number one overall, Arizona was last in the survey.