Immigrant communities in Canada more likely to donate to charity: Study

Author Sharlene Gandhi

Permanent residents and naturalized Canadian citizens are marginally more likely to give more to charitable organizations than Canadian-born residents, according to new research.

The first of two reports published by CulturaliQ and Imagine Canada surveyed the six largest ethno-cultural groups in Canada, whose numbers are expected to grow by 44 per cent by 2034.

Afro-Caribbean and African communities were the most likely to give the highest donation amount to charities. They also had the most positive perceptions of the non-profit sector, along with the South Asian community.

Most often, immigrant communities were likely to donate to hospitals and religious organizations.

Around half cited affordability challenges as a reason for not being able to donate more, but despite that, three-quarters said that it was important for them to continue teaching their children about the importance of charitable giving.

The survey also asked about respondents’ experiences of racism and immigration to Canada, finding that “those who hold more negative perspectives of their experiences are significantly more likely to hold critical views of charities and their role.

A second report will be published in February 2025, providing a more in-depth analysis of giving habits.

Tell us this made you smarter | Contact us | Report error

  • Sharlene Gandhi is the Future of Good editorial fellow on digital transformation.

    Sharlene has been reporting on responsible business, environmental sustainability and technology in the UK and Canada since 2018. She has worked with various organizations during this time, including the Stanford Social Innovation Review, the Pentland Centre for Sustainability in Business at Lancaster University, AIGA Eye on Design, Social Enterprise UK and Nature is a Human Right. Sharlene moved to Toronto in early 2023 to join the Future of Good team, where she has been reporting at the intersections of technology, data and social purpose work. Her reporting has spanned several subject areas, including AI policy, cybersecurity, ethical data collection, and technology partnerships between the private, public and third sectors.

    View all posts