As you tally your charitable receipts for your 2005 income tax return, you may wonder how your generosity compares with that of other Canadians.
On average, Canadians give 0.65 per cent of their income to charitable organizations , according to the Fraser Institute’s 2004 Generosity Index .
Interestingly, high-income earners aren’t necessarily more generous . A 2000 survey found that households earning more than $100,000 give 0.4 per cent while households earning less than $20,000 give 1.1 per cent of their income to charity.
Other highlights:
- 44 per cent of all charitable donations ($2.2 billion) are made through places of worship.
- The average annual donation to religious organizations is $310.
- The average annual donation to non-religious organizations is $140.
Regionally, Manitoba is Canada’s most generous province , says the Fraser Institute. Manitoba has the highest percentage of tax-filers contributing to charity (28 per cent) and they contribute the highest portion of their income to charities (0.88 per cent).
Alberta and Ontario, meanwhile, top the list of highest average donations. Albertans make average annual donations of $1,330 and Ontarians make donations of $1,302.
