‘It’s in our DNA’: Charity organization names N.S. the most generous province
The Generosity of Nova Scotians Continues to Shine
Once again, the giving nature of Nova Scotians has been recognized as unparalleled. CanadaHelps, the largest online platform for donating and fundraising in the country, has identified Nova Scotia as the most generous province in Canada based on donors per capita. In 2024, 2.63% of Nova Scotia residents made donations through CanadaHelps, solidifying the province’s top ranking for the second consecutive year. Ontario followed closely behind as the second most generous province, with 2.35% of residents contributing to charitable causes.
Julie Fiorini, the General Manager of Donor Services at CanadaHelps, highlighted Nova Scotia’s exceptional generosity, stating, “What we saw was over 2.6% of folks who donated in Nova Scotia. That surpassed all other provinces in terms of the percentage. It seems like a small percentage, but the way we’re looking at it is the number of donors as a percentage of the province’s total population. So it’s still the most generous province from our point of view.”
The rankings are based solely on donations made through CanadaHelps, with Nova Scotians contributing over $10 million in total. The Atlantic provinces also demonstrated their charitable spirit, with Newfoundland and Labrador ranking third and Prince Edward Island ranking fourth on the list of most generous provinces.
Despite not being among the provinces with the highest household incomes, Nova Scotia’s philanthropic culture remains strong. Fiorini emphasized that Nova Scotians continue to show their generosity, even in the face of personal challenges.
Halifax, Nova Scotia’s capital city, was ranked 22nd among the most generous cities in Canada based on donations through CanadaHelps. While there was a slight drop in Halifax’s ranking from the previous year, Sarah Lyon, the founder of Nova Scotia Gives More and Chief Communications and Marketing Officer at the Nova Scotia SPCA, noted that rural communities play a significant role in fostering a spirit of giving.
Lyon explained, “We know rural communities, they know each other. They know when a neighbor’s struggling and they want to help. And mutual aid happens a lot. We don’t hear about it. But I think in rural communities there is a sense of planting a tree that you’re not going to sit under.”
Despite some organizations facing challenges in receiving donations due to the cost of living in the province, Lyon emphasized that Nova Scotians are always eager to lend a helping hand. She highlighted the deep-rooted culture of generosity in Nova Scotia, citing historical events such as the assistance provided by the Mi’kmaq to the Black Loyalists and community support following the Halifax Explosion.
Both Lyon and Fiorini agreed that Nova Scotia’s status as the most generous province is a testament to the inherent goodness and compassion of its residents. The spirit of giving in Nova Scotia continues to shine brightly, making the province a beacon of generosity in Canada.
