Canadians make time for charity

By Staff | December 20, 2013 | Last updated on December 20, 2013
1 min read

Canadians’ generosity will be on display this year with 86% reporting that they’ll engage in some sort of charitable activity during the holiday season, shows a BMO Harris study.

Read: 4 tips for making smart donations

The study also revealed how Canadians intend to support various charitable causes during the months of November and December:

  • 52% have already, or will be, donating money
  • 49% have already, or will be, donating canned goods or a food basket
  • 47% have already, or will be, donating clothing
  • 23% have already, or will be, volunteering

The study also explored what percentage of Canadians donated to various charitable causes in 2013, the average amount they gave, and the sectors they supported. The study found:

  • 77% donated to a charitable cause in the past 12 months (down from 79% in 2012).
  • The average amount donated was $580 (up from $557 in 2012).

Read: Tax tips for giving to charity

The most popular causes Canadians supported in 2013 include:

  • 63% health and medical
  • 41% anti-poverty
  • 23% religious
  • 21% animal welfare
  • 13% foreign aid

Regional Breakdown:

Region % who are doing some sort of charitable giving this holiday season % who are donating cash this holiday season % who are donating canned goods/food basket this holiday season % who are donating clothing this holiday season % who are volunteering this holiday season % who donated money to a charity in the past 12 months
National 86 52 49 47 23 77
Atlantic 79 55 46 42 27 73
Quebec 85 47 45 40 20 71
Ontario 89 54 51 50 23 79
Prairies 85 62 52 45 34 88
Alberta 89 60 48 49 18 79
B.C. 84 46 46 52 25 76

Read: Teach kids not to be greedy during holidays

Advisor.ca staff

Staff

The staff of Advisor.ca have been covering news for financial advisors since 1998.