On GivingTuesday in 2019, Canadians donated $5 million to charities using CanadaHelps. The $5 million was the result of donations from 23,000 people, an average gift of $217.39. Approximately 6,400 charities received gifts in 2019, an average of $781.25 per charity.
CanadaHelps, Canada’s largest giving portal, is a particularly useful way of looking at donor interest because of the number of charities it engages with and it’s working hard to promote the occasion, adding an addition $2 donation to any gift more than $20.
The 2019 tally marked a 50% increase from 2018. Yet 2020 is an entirely different environment. Charities are facing the fall out of a global pandemic. Many have had to lay off workers. Canadians are also suffering financially, with job loss and housing insecurity. While charities are struggling like never before, so is the country.
So far this year, “we’ve seen a significant increase in online giving through CanadaHelps,” says Marina Glogovac, President and CEO, which she says is no surprise given that all facets of our lives have been moved online.
“But more broadly, we know that charities are experiencing a decrease in charitable donations and it is incrediblyworrisome. Donations in the final month of the year will be critical for the survival of thousands of charities. I hope all Canadians who are financially able to do so will give generously this year.”
CanadaHelps says GivingTuesday is more important than ever to ensure those organizations that serve the country’s most vulnerable communities have the funding they need to continue providing critical programs and services.
It remains to be seen how much effect the pandemic will have on fundraising results for charities. Charities issued more than $18 million in tax receipts in 2018 and that amount has increased only incrementally in the past decade.
Polling company Angus Reid reported in September that 37% of Canadians have given less during the pandemic; 49% say they have not changed their approach to charitable giving, while only 9% say their giving has increased. Recent controversies with The WE Charity may also have an impact on giving. But people are getting on board GivingTuesday 2020 including the NBA Alumni.
Some charities such as UNHCR Canada use GivingTuesday for a matching program opportunity.
“We have been pleased to see the discussion around the importance of charities and giving back this year front-and-centre in a number of media outlets and we hope that will inspire generosity,” says Glogovac. “Early giving results are promising, and we’ll have GivingTuesday results to share on December 2nd.”