Charitable donors

Canadian taxfilers continued their tradition of generosity last year with increases in both the number of charitable donors and the total amount they gave to charity.

Data from income tax declarations filed for the 2004 tax year showed that taxfilers claimed more than $6.9 billion in donations, the highest amount ever. The total was 6.3% higher than in 2003.

The amount of donations increased in all provinces and territories. The highest increases were in the Yukon (+17.5%), Alberta (+13.7%), Northwest Territories (+12.7%) and British Columbia (+12.5%).

Just under 5.8 million taxfilers made a donation, a 3.5% increase. Again, the number rose in all provinces and territories, with Yukon showing the biggest gain (+16.2%).

For taxfilers reporting donations, the median donation has increased each year since 1999. In 2004, the median donation was $230, up from $220 in 2003. In other words, among those reporting charitable donations, half gave more than $230 and half gave less.

Nunavut has led the provinces and territories in terms of median donation since 2000. However, it was the only jurisdiction in which the median donation declined from 2003, falling from $410 to $390.

Nunavut's median was followed by $340 for Prince Edward Island and $310 for Newfoundland and Labrador.

Among census metropolitan areas (CMAs), taxfilers in Abbotsford, British Columbia, reported by far the highest median donation at $540. Toronto was next with a median of $320, slightly ahead of Saskatoon at $310. It was the second year in a row that these three CMAs reported the highest donations.

Nationally, about 25% of all taxfilers claimed charitable donations, roughly the same proportion as in the past. Leading the way again was Manitoba where almost 29% of taxfilers declared a donation. It was followed by Ontario with 28%.

Note: The databank on charitable donors provides information on taxfilers who claimed a tax credit for charitable donations on their income tax return for 2004. Only amounts given to charities and approved organizations for which official tax receipts were provided can be deducted. It is possible to carry donations forward for up to five years after the year in which they were made. Therefore, donations reported for the 2004 taxation year could include donations that were made in any of the five previous years. According to tax laws, taxfilers are permitted to claim both their donations and those made by their spouses to get better tax benefits. Consequently, the number of persons who made charitable donations may be higher than the number who claimed tax credits.

Available on CANSIM: tables 111-0001 to 111-0003.

Definitions, data sources and methods: survey number 4106.

The databank Charitable Donors (13C0014, variable price) is now available for Canada, the provinces and territories, cities, towns, census metropolitan areas, census divisions, federal electoral districts, forward sortation areas (the first three characters of the postal code) and letter carrier routes.

For more information, or to enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, contact Client Services (1-866-652-8443; 613-951-9720; fax: 1-866-652-8444 or 613-951-4745; saadinfo@statcan.gc.ca), Small Area and Administrative Data Division.