Charities facing unprecedented strains, Canadahelps report highlights

A new report highlights the current strains on charities caused by a decline in the number of Canadians who donated to charities along with an aging donor list who are being relied on at increased levels.

The Giving Report 2022, released on April 5 by

Canadahelps, highlights a series of trends and challenges being faced by Canadian charities.

They note that over the past two pandemic impacted years, charities experienced a decline in donations. The situation does not appear to be brightening for charities, as a troubling rise in inflation and the uncertainty of the pandemic continues to impact giving. These factors are placing strains on charities at the same time many groups are facing a drastic rise in demand that they are struggling to keep up with.

Total giving in 2019 to 2021 is projected to have dropped by 12 per cent, and for the upcoming year one in four Canadians expect to give less this year than they did in 2021. Additionally, 26 per cent of Canadians expect or are already using charitable services in 2022 for basic necessities.

The report notes that overall giving rates have declined by 5.6 per cent in a 13 year span, dropping from 24.6 per cent in 2006 to 19 per cent in 2019.

In releasing this year’s report, there is a heightened concern for the future of Canadian charities and the impact that will have on the communities those charities serve.

“Education and conversation is not enough. For that reason, this year’s report is a call to Canadians of all ages to protect our charitable sector through greater engagement and financial gifts,” Marina

Glogovac, President and CEO of Canadahelps stated in The Giving Report.

The most concerning trend in the report is a giving gap, with the percentage of tax filing individuals making donations dropping from 25 per cent in 2006 down to 19 per cent in 2019. The largest decline occurred in the 40 to 54 age group, and families in higher income brackets.