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The charitable sector facilitates social good across the country

If there’s one thing Canada’s charitable sector knows all too well, it’s that the need never ends, and it’s only through the ongoing generosity of donors – in amounts big and small – that the sector can continue to make a profound difference in the lives of people in need.

While Canadians hunkered down in 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic gripped the world, many charities stepped to the fore to help where they could, just as they have done in countless past crises.

While the pandemic isn’t over, most people are learning to live with it, but that doesn’t mean charities get to take a breather. Their work continues as new needs arise – natural disasters, extreme weather events, war, famine, homelessness and now economic hardship – as the world slips into recession.

Ken Mayhew, chair, AFP Canada, and president and CEO, William Osler Health System Foundation in Ontario, says while major global crises such as food insecurity, conflict and climate change remain a key focus for donors, the pandemic lifted the curtain on other critical issues that were present all along, such as inequities faced by vulnerable communities across Canada.

“We’ve all been impacted by and want to be part of a collective response to tough times, and I think Canadian charities are tapping into our shared desire to be part of solutions,” he says. “Many Canadian charities have defined missions for global relief, such as the Canadian Red Cross, and stepped up their efforts, while literally thousands of local charities and nonprofits have increased their efforts to provide support for vulnerable communities at home.”

Mr. Mayhew says Canadians have always donated to charities to address crises and social challenges and, despite the pandemic and the current uncertain economic times, they continue to do so.

Jane Potentier, chair AFP Foundation for Philanthropy - Canada, and associate vice-president, alumni and development at the University of Victoria in British Columbia, says the charitable sector will always be a major player in Canada’s economy and is facilitating social good across the country.

“During the last two years, the Canadian charitable sector played a huge role in maintaining physical and mental health, safety, security, information veracity, hope and the trust of Canadians,” she says. “Whether that was in upping our national game in food security, domestic violence shelter, exponentially increased health-care capacity, caring for the aged and helping those struck by poverty, Canadian charities did not do something new, they did what they are set up to do.”

Mr. Mayhew says the pandemic created a new kind of collective because Canadians all went through it together.

“I’m hopeful that our shared experience will have a lasting impact on the social construct of what it means to be involved in your community, including giving to others whether through volunteerism or philanthropy,” he says.

Mr. Mayhew points out that Canadian charities focused on food insecurity, social justice and equity-seeking all saw significant increases in levels of support as did community hospitals such as William Osler Health System.

Equally important, he says, is that a survey conducted last year by the AFP Foundation for Philanthropy - Canada, confirmed that a growing number of Canadian donors express positive attitudes toward charities, including general confidence (84 per cent), trust to deliver on mission/goals (87 per cent) and trust to spend responsibly (82 per cent).

“Certainly, recent concerns around inflation and cost of living pressures are a consideration for people as they donate, but one lasting impact of the collective experience of the past few years is that people realize that there’s a need for us to work together,” says Mr. Mayhew. “I’m seeing signs that give me hope that this feeling won’t dissolve, because while the pandemic certainly has profoundly impacted me and many, it’s also reminded many of us what’s truly important, including being part of a caring society.”

Ms. Potentier says charities can respond to needs faster than government and much more broadly than the corporate sector.

“Pre- and now post-pandemic, charities like our education institutions uplift entire communities and, indeed, our entire nation through the power of knowledge and skill-building,” she says. “During the pandemic, funders eased access to much-needed funds. Charities and nonprofits continued asking for support and communities responded.”

For example, Ms. Potentier says Food Banks Canada addressed needs three times higher than pre-pandemic and saw donor support increase to meet the need. Shelters and humane societies had similar experiences.

Ms. Potentier says apart from the work Canadian charities do in meeting needs at home and globally, they also make a significant contribution to the national economy.

“The sector employs 2.4 million Canadians at more than 170,000 nonprofits and charities (1 in 10 Canadian workers) and contributes 8.4 per cent of Canada’s gross domestic product, exceeding the oil and gas or finance industries,” she says.

But at the end of the day, it’s what donor funds achieve that really counts, like the experience of a patient at an Osler hospital whose ruptured aorta was diagnosed in the ER using a bedside ultrasound machine. Had he been sent to another part of the hospital for a scan, he would have died on the way.

The ultrasound in the ER was paid for with donor dollars.

Advertising feature produced by Randall Anthony Communications. The Globe’s editorial department was not involved.