Numbers Game

The holidays are a time when many Canadians give to those who are less fortunate. Here are some statistics on philanthropy:

88% of people 15 and over donated to charitable and non-profit organizations

$4.45 billion was the total financial donation to charities

52% donated food

63% donated clothing or goods

47% of total donations come from 5% of donors

1.41% was the average portion of household income given by households with incomes under $20,000

0.49% was the average portion of household income given by households with incomes over $100,000

95% gave out of compassion

11% gave in order to benefit from tax breaks

Source: Canadian Centre for Philanthropy survey, 1997