Why is this measurement important?
Charitable giving and voluntary association indicate social capital, civic engagement and social cohesion. The non-profit sector, of which charities are a part, has a significant impact on the health and well-being of Ontario communities.
This indicator identifies the donation point. Charitable giving supports a wide variety of organizations, including those that provide essential services to the community and people in need. The level of giving shows residents' willingness to invest in programs and organizations serving the community. By contributing financially to organizations and groups that support causes dear to their heart, donors want to contribute to the well-being of their fellow citizens or advance principles and values that they believe in.
The majority of non-metro residents in Ontario contribute to charities (86 to 90% per year), with over 80% of donors confirming they make donations because of their compassion towards people in need, to help a cause they personally believe in, and to contribute to their community. Donating to charitable causes is an important way to engage in the community and reflects strong civic engagement.
How is this measured?
Self-reported data from the Statistics Canada, census report, using Tax Filer information.
