This report is the first of a two-part series presenting the highlights from the research, and focuses on the experiences of multicultural Canadians as they relate to belonging, inclusion, racism, as well as their opinions and attitudes towards charitable giving. 

The next report, expected to be released in February 2025, will provide a deeper analysis of perspectives on giving. Subscribe to our newsletter to be notified when report 2 is released!

Multicultural Canadians are caring & generous

• The majority of multicultural Canadians (66%) view charities and nonprofits positively, with nearly 80% having donated to charitable causes in the past year. Despite economic constraints, such as rising living costs, many continue to demonstrate strong philanthropic support.
• Immigrants, particularly those who have been in Canada for less than ten years, generally show higher levels of charitable engagement compared to Canadian-born respondents.
• The amounts donated by immigrants generally increase the longer they have been in Canada. Immigrants who have been in the country for ten years or more give more than multicultural Canadians who were born in Canada. 
• Nearly 80% of multicultural Canadians reported donating in the past year, an increase from 2020. However, the average donation amount has decreased slightly (from $874 in 2020 to $795 in 2023). 

Motivations to give & importance of generosity 

• Multicultural Canadians are primarily motivated by a desire to help others and their personal belief in the causes they support. Key motivations include a sense of duty to help those in need, religious obligations, and the personal satisfaction of making a difference, rather than seeking external rewards like tax credits or public recognition.
• There is broad support (74%) for teaching children about philanthropy, with multicultural Canadians seeing value in instilling the importance of giving in the next generation.

Challenges & barriers

• Nearly a quarter of multicultural immigrant Canadians surveyed express regret about their decision to come, with many citing challenges such as increased racism, limited opportunities, and feelings of not belonging. 
• Despite these difficulties, many immigrants continue to donate, although they tend to contribute less than those who have been in Canada longer.
• A large percentage of multicultural donors (44%) cite affordability as a limiting factor.

These findings suggest that to further engage multicultural Canadians in charitable giving, and to engage meaningfully, it is crucial to address the challenges and feelings of exclusion faced by immigrants, particularly those in their early years in Canada. 

Imagine Canada is grateful to the member organizations of the Navigating New Horizons Study Advisory Council for their invaluable insight and guidance:

• Sherman Chan, Director of Health & Refugee Services at MOSAIC
• Meenakshi (Meena) Das, CEO at Namaste Data 
• Melanie Veerapen, Communications Lead at ARAISA
• Parvine Bahramian, Bilingual Senior Coordinator - Policy and Research at OCASI
• Ali Abukar, CEO at Saskatoon Open Door Society

This project was made possible thanks to generous support from our Presenting Partner, BMO. 

Imagine Canada is also grateful for the support of our Lead Partners, Canadian Race Relations Foundation, The Canadian Red Cross Society and KPMG Foundation.