Albertans averaged $3,622 in charitable donations in 2023 – highest in Canada
Posted December 22, 2025 9:22 am.
Last Updated December 22, 2025 9:42 am.
Charitable giving in Canada is on the decline, according to the Fraser Institute’s latest generosity index, which analyzed tax returns to track private donations across the country.
The study shows that fewer Canadians are donating, and the value of donations has also fallen.
In 2013, just over 20 per cent of taxpayers reported giving to at least one organization; in 2023, that number had dropped to about 17 per cent.
Canadians are also giving a smaller share of their income, down from 0.55 per cent in 2013 to 0.52 per cent last year.
Generosity varies across the country. Manitoba leads in both the share of people donating (18.7 per cent) and the percentage of income given (0.71 per cent). Ontario follows, while Quebec ranks third for participation, with 17.1 per cent of taxpayers reporting donations.
Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador have the lowest share of income donated at 0.27 per cent. New Brunswick saw the smallest proportion of donors at 14.4 per cent.
In dollar terms, Alberta residents gave the most on average, $3,622, while Quebecers donated $1,194, well below the national average of $2,532.
The report also notes Canadians give less than Americans. In 2022, U.S. residents donated about 1.03 per cent of their income, roughly double the Canadian rate. Factors such as income, tax treatment of donations, age, education, religion, and volunteering likely contribute to the difference.
