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Overview by Theme Area: Voluntary Sector Survey Data
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The Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector's Economic Contribution:
- In 1999, the sector accounted for 6.8% of Canada's gross domestic
product (GDP), and if the value of volunteer work is factored in, the
percentage increases to 8.5%. (SA)
- The Canadian nonprofit and voluntary sector is the second largest
in the world when expressed as a share of the economically active population.
Canada's voluntary sector relies more on the efforts of paid employees,
and two thirds of nonprofit and voluntary sector workers are in paid
positions. (JH)
- The sector is a major employer, with a workforce of over 2 million
full-time equivalents. This is almost 2.5 times the size of the Canadian
construction industry.(JH)
- Hospitals, universities and colleges account for 54% of the sector's
contribution to the GDP, and a large proportion of sector employment
and revenues. (JH)
Canadian Donors and Volunteers:
- In 2000, 27% of the Canadian population 15 years or older volunteered
during the year. (GVP)
- Charitable and non-profit organizations in Canada rely on a core group
of people to provide the bulk of contributions. The top one-quarter
of donors accounted for 82% of total donations, and the top one-quarter
of volunteers accounted for 73% of total volunteer hours. (GVP)
- The top motivations for volunteering include a belief in the cause
supported by the organization, and the opportunity to put skills and
experience to use. Youth are more likely to see volunteering as a chance
to improve employment opportunities. (GVP)
- The top reasons given for not volunteering were a lack of extra time
and an unwillingness to make a year-round commitment. (GVP)
- In 2003, just over one-half of voluntary organizations reported having
problems recruiting the types of volunteers needed, and planning for
the future. (SVO)
Profile of the Voluntary Health Sector:
- Excluding hospitals, there are over 5,000 voluntary health organizations
in Canada, and the majority (79%) are registered charities. (SVO)
- Most of these organizations serve their neighbourhood, city or town
(46.4%) or region (28.8%).(SVO)
- In 2000, health organizations, including hospitals and nursing homes,
received the highest number of individual donations (41%), but received
only 20% of the total amount of donations. (GVP)
- Cultural and recreational organizations account for the largest percentage
of volunteer hours (26%), while health organizations account for 9 %
of volunteer hours. (GVP)
Find out more: Survey Descriptions and Links
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is a household survey of charitable giving, volunteering and participatory
behaviour. It outlines the characteristics of donors and volunteers,
the frequency and type of their participation, and provides details
on motivations and barriers to giving and volunteering.