Julie Fiorni
General Manager, Donor Services,
CanadaHelps
The holiday season is often a time for connecting with friends and family, but if your circle has felt smaller in recent years, you’re not alone.
According to CanadaHelps’ 2024 Giving Report, the number of Canadians with six or more close friends dropped by 40% from 2013 to 2022. At the same time, fewer Canadians are donating, and 57% of charities say they can’t keep up with demand.
CanadaHelps is the largest online donation and fundraising platform in Canada
Shrinking social networks may be contributing to lower donation rates, according to the report. More than 80% of Canadians with many close friends report donating to charity, while just over half of those with very few close friends give. This shift is not only making it harder for charities to deliver their critical services, but indicates a broader risk to Canadians overall.
What if generous actions could not only help stop this downward trend, but reverse it? Research shows that the more we practice generosity, the more capacity we have to be generous, and the more we enhance each other’s well being. This formula is also called The Generosity Loop. That’s why this year we are challenging Canadians to take the CanadaHelps Generosity Challenge!
Here are five ideas to get you started:
1. Give a charitable gift
Nearly half of Canadians would rather receive a charitable gift that makes an impact during the holidays over a material gift according to CanadaHelps data gathered in 2022. Among these respondents, 23 percent said that they would prefer to receive a Charity Gift Card where the recipient can choose the charity that benefits from the funds. CanadaHelps offers personalized gift cards to send to your loved ones at whatever value you choose.
2. Get out and volunteer
Many organizations rely heavily on volunteers to support their operations, especially during busy seasons. There are numerous ways to make a meaningful impact, including assisting at fundraising events, helping with administrative tasks, and engaging in community outreach. Volunteering is also a great way to build skills, meet new people, and feel connected to your community. To find current opportunities, reach out to an organization that supports a cause you care about or contact your local volunteer centre.
3. Roll up your sleeves to give
Thousands of Canadians rely on blood donors for life-saving transfusions every year. In fact, half of Canadians will either need blood or know someone who will need blood, according to Canadian Blood Services. Blood donations tend to drop during the holiday season as people are busy with other priorities, but the need for life-saving donations doesn’t go away. If you live or work near a donation clinic, giving blood is quick, safe, and the impact lasts a lifetime.
4. Perform an act of kindness
Small gestures can have a ripple effect, creating a chain of positivity to unite communities. Buy a coffee for a stranger, leave a positive note for someone, or pay for someone’s groceries to brighten someone’s day. This is also a great opportunity to reach out to neighbours or others to deepen a relationship.
5. Donate to a charity you want to support on CanadaHelps
Canadians can easily donate on CanadaHelps to any charity in the country, with over 85,000 options. Whether you want to donate once or give monthly, give a charitable gift, fundraise, or donate securities such as mutual funds, it’s easy at CanadaHelps! A free account also allows you to track all your giving and tax receipts, set giving goals, manage monthly gifts, and more.
CanadaHelps has raised more than $3 billion in support of registered charities across Canada
Giving doesn’t have to be material or expensive to make an impact. Whether it’s donating, volunteering, or simply helping out a neighbour, small acts of kindness can bring communities together and create meaningful change. By spreading generosity, you can make the holiday season a little brighter for someone in need.
Learn more at canadahelps.org.
