Generosity in Canada: trends in personal gifts and charitable donations over three decades, 1969-1997

Author

Paul B. Reed

Organization

Statistics Canada

Published

1999

Summary

Canadians' generosity has been rising slowly, both in constant dollars and as a proportion of household income, for the past several decades, according to a recent study. The rise in donations to charitable oranizations is slowing, however, while giving gifts to individuals is accelerating.

The average annual value of gifts and contributions for each household rose steadily from $986 in 1969 to $1,700 in 1996. This total giving accounted for 4.5% of the average disposable household income in 1996, up from 3.3% in 1969.

This study shows that the manner in which Canadians give gifts and make charitable donations has been changing. For example, of the monetary giving that goes to organizations, a shrinking proportion is going to religious organizations compared with non-religious organizations.

Based on household spending data from Family Expenditure Surveys between 1969 and 1996, and the Survey of Household Spending since 1997, the study provides information about regional and income quintile patterns in gifts and charitable donations. It reveals that the gap in giving (as a proportion of household income) between low-income and high-income households is narrowing.

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Source: Consumer Policy Research Database