Charitable giving in Canada is up

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VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – ‘Tis the season for giving! It seems like the number of Canadians — and how much we donate — is going up.
    
There are four main areas where people are opening their wallets.

According to stats from BMO, people will donate to medical, education, anti-poverty and animal welfare charities.
    
This year, 79 per cent of people will give money, averaging about $560. That is up 10 per cent from last year.
    
The bank’s Marvi Ricker says the numbers aren’t really surprising, even though many people are struggling financially right now.

“I think it’s not so much that we’re in a recession the way the US is, it’s just that people are fearful of spending money. But I think there is a fair amount of wealth in Canada.”

She adds there is usually a spike in donations around this time of year so people can write it off. “In terms of the kind of giving middle class individuals can do [is up] but also, I’m finding with my clients who are creating multi-millions dollar foundations, many of them are finally just getting around to it now.”

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