Over half of Canadians plan donations this year, with many choosing meaningful gifts over material ones
A survey commissioned by World Vision Canada revealed that more than half of Canadians (56 percent) plan to make a charitable donation this year, despite ongoing high inflation and economic pressures.
Canadians' motivations for giving varied, with 30 percent wanting to make a difference in the world, 28 percent viewing it as a meaningful gift, and 27 percent noting it aligns with their values.
Other reasons included 23 percent saying donating makes them feel good, 21 percent citing tax benefits, and 12 percent describing it as a more sustainable form of gift-giving.
The survey found that 66 percent of Canadians who plan to donate this year prefer giving a charitable gift over traditional material or experiential gifts.
Young Canadians aged 18 to 34 were more likely than those 55 and older to say their decision was influenced by friends or family requesting a charitable gift, with 13 percent of younger respondents compared to 6 percent of older respondents making this claim. Suburban Canadians were twice as likely as rural Canadians to call charitable gifts a ‘perfect gift for anyone,’ at 12 percent versus 6 percent.
The survey also highlighted age-related differences in charitable giving. 66 percent of Canadians aged 65 and older intend to donate this year, while the rate for those aged 25 to 64 is 52 percent.
Among younger generations, including Gen Z, millennials, and Gen X, the intention to give a charitable gift remains consistent across groups.
World Vision Canada, a global relief, development, and advocacy organisation, conducted the survey ahead of Giving Tuesday to gauge Canadians' charitable intentions.
