From February 14 to 16, 2025, we surveyed Canadians on their charitable giving.
Highlights of our study include…
- While the number who gave in 2024 has not changed from 2023, the amount given has declined this year over last. On average, Canadians donated $790 in 2023. That number has since dropped to $656 in 2024. The rising costs of living and the postal strike may all have had a negative impact.
- This downward trend is present for all provinces, but the trend is the steepest in British Columbia.
- British Columbians, Albertans, and Saskatchewanians continue to give most, while Quebecers give the least.
- In early 2024, Canadians mainly predicted they would give us a much as in 2023. That did not come to pass, with economic challenges perhaps proving to be greater than anticipated. In 2025, Canadians continue to predict similar behaviour, as 13% of Canadians say they will give more in 2025 compared to 2024, and 79% say they will give the same amount. Given donors’ predictions for 2024 and ongoing political and economic uncertainty, it may be that this is a more optimistic outlook for charities than is warranted.
Methodology
The results for this wave of research are based on online research conducted from February 14 to 16, 2025, with a representative sample of 2,633 Canadian adults 18 years of age and older from Leger’s LEO panel.
The data was statistically weighted according to 2021 Canadian Census figures.
A margin of error cannot be associated with a non-probability sample in a panel survey, but for comparison purposes, a probability sample of 2,633 would have a margin of error of +/- 1.9%, 19 times out of 20.
