From AFP International (www.afpnet.org)

(Dec. 4, 2006) Canadian taxfilers contributed a record amount to charity in 2005, according to new data by Statistics Canada.

More than 5.8 million donors gave more than $7.9 billion to charitable organizations in 2005, a 13.8 percent increase from 2004. Increases in giving were seen in all provinces and territories, with the strongest gains in Alberta (21.2 percent), Nova Scotia (18.5 percent) and Manitoba (17.7 percent).

The number of donors in 2005 increased slightly (0.9 percent) compared to 2004, with the Yukon experiencing an 8.8 percent growth in donors. Nearly all provinces saw increases in donors except for Saskatchewan (0.9 percent decrease) and Newfoundland and Labrador (0.2 percent).

One quarter of all taxfilers claimed charitable donations, roughly the same as in past years. Manitoba had the highest percentage of taxfilers claiming a contribution (28 percent), followed by Ontario (27 percent).

Median Donations

The median donation in 2005 was $240, up from the 2004 figure of $230 (that is, half of all donors gave more than $240 and half gave less).

Nunavut had by far the largest median donation of any province or territory ($400), a trend that has continued since 2000. The only province or territory to experience a decline in the median donation was the Yukon, dropping fro $240 in 2004 to $220 in 2005.

The full summary of the report is available on the Statistics Canada website. The databank Charitable Donors is now available for Canada, provinces and territories, cities, towns, census metropolitan areas, census divisions and letter carrier routes (price depends on data requested). Contact toll-free (866) 652-8443 or email saadinfo@statcan.ca.