How much is enough?
This is probably the most personal question of all and the exact dollar amount will be different for each family and individual. However, Leithead says to consider the following:
• Consider monthly giving. You might not have $50 to give today but may be able to manage $10 or $15 a month, thereby giving the charity a predictable stream of income.
• It costs money to raise money. Therefore, giving a larger amount to fewer charities is likely more beneficial than handing out $10 or $20 to every canvasser who comes to your door.
• Look at alternatives to cash. The most recent budget introduced a tax incentive for gifts of stock and securities and you can always offer your time through volunteering.
How much is the average Canadian giving?
According to Imagine Canada, the average Canadian gives $259 annually to charity. You can learn more about giving in Canada by reading Imagine Canada's fact sheets online (files are in pdf format):
• Charitable Giving in Canada
• Who are Canada's Donors
• Motivations and Barriers to Giving
Review your giving
Keep a charity folder containing information about causes and organizations you may want to support and pull it out once or twice a year to reassess your donations. "Go back to those beginning questions," says Leithead. "Are these still the organizations you want to support or is there something new?"
By taking the time to plan out your donations you'll end up getting something back when you give. "It makes us feel like we're part of a bigger whole," says Leithead, "that we're connected to our community or to the country or to the world at large, and that just feels good."
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