When thinking about rental assistance, “affordable” means housing expenses do not exceed 30% of a household’s income. If a family is paying more than 30% of their income on housing, they are considered “cost burdened.” And if a family is paying more than 50% of their income on housing, they are considered “severely cost burdened.” Approximately 48% of Utah’s renters are cost-burdened, and 20% are severely cost-burdened. This burden implies the need to support some … Continued

A new Utah Foundation report examines the characteristics and circumstances of Utah’s incarcerated population, offering insight into education levels, employment status, substance use, housing stability, and interactions with the criminal justice system at the time of arrest. The report finds that incarcerated Utahns differ in important ways from the general population—particularly in educational attainment. While 91% of Utahns have completed high school, that rate is only 61% for incarcerated individuals.   At the same time, … Continued

In 2025, the Utah Foundation showed that Utah had the highest Social Capital Index score in the nation. This was partially driven by factors related to “community life.” This high level of community life – such as how much Utahns give to charities – is highlighted in the latest report from the Utah Foundation on the state’s nonprofits. Nonprofits often fill gaps when the free market and governments fall short. A vast majority of Utah’s … Continued

It has been quite a year. Our Annual Report is the place to learn all about what we accomplished in 2025. We had some goodbyes and hellos. And a lot of research and outreach. The year can be summed up “by the numbers.” We owe it all to you. Thank you for your support. Without you, our Board of Trustees, our members and sponsors, and other great Utahns, we would not be able to do … Continued

In 2025, Utah had the highest Social Capital Index score in the nation and has consistently been among the top states over the previous 12 years. The Utah Foundation’s Social Capital Index project is a series of reports that measure whether Utah is thriving in terms of its “social capital.” Put simply, social capital refers to the ways in which individuals can leverage connections between people and social networks for the benefit of themselves or … Continued

The Utah Foundation’s Social Capital Index project is a series of reports that measure whether Utah is thriving in terms of its “social capital.” Put simply, social capital refers to the ways in which individuals can leverage connections between people and social networks for the benefit of themselves or their community. One of the seven categories of the project focuses on social mobility. The key finding from that report is: Utah has the twelfth-best social … Continued