Research Papers

It’s been nearly a year since the COVID-19 pandemic began, and the crisis continues to dramatically shape how charities operate.
What is the impact on demand, capacity, and revenue? On staff and volunteers?
Find out in our latest sector monitor study.

2020 has been a year of unprecedented challenges, and the role of business in our communities has never been more important. How can these companies help to build back better? Our latest report answers this and more.

This national study -- one of the first in Canada to explore the influence of ethnicity on supporting charities -- offers a glimpse into the enormous giving potential that resides with newcomers to Canada and second-generation Canadians.

Investment Readiness in Canada’s Charitable Sector. What are the challenges and opportunities that social finance presents for the charitable sector? Find out in our latest report.

How has COVID-19 impacted the charitable sector? Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, charities have had to navigate through the impact of physical distancing, mandatory closure of non-essential businesses, and myriad other changes to the operating environment. This report draws on historical Sector Monitor findings from the aftermath of the 2008/09 downturn to provide additional context.

Profit, Purpose and Talent: Trends and Motivations in Corporate Giving and Volunteering shows that employees value the community contributions of their employers, and that high levels of community engagement lead to long-term business advantages for corporations.

Take an in-depth look at the giving behaviour of Canadians in this new report – who gives, how and why – and how these trends are re-shaping the future of philanthropy in Canada.

As a follow up to his Charities, Sustainable Funding and Smart Growth discussion paper, Chief Economist Brian Emmett presents a strategic architecture for government and the charitable and nonprofit sector to address the looming social deficit in Canada.

Through a series of scenarios that project the state of the charitable and nonprofit sector in 2026, chief economist Brian Emmett identifies a looming social deficit.

The State of Evaluation
This national report provides the first comprehensive look at how Canadian charities are measuring and evaluating their work, how they are talking with their funders about evaluation, and what enablers and barriers they are facing.

State of Evaluation in Canada: The Role of Funders
How does dedicated evaluation funding impact charities? The relationship between funders and funded charities is central to evaluation practice and norms, but what are the implications of funders requirements? How do they help charities further their missions?

State of Evaluation in Canada: Health Charities
How do health charities measure up? A report that highlights how these specific types of organizations evaluate and measure their work compared to other subsectors.

State of Evaluation in Canada: Arts, Culture and Recreation charities
How do arts, culture and recreation charities measure up? A report that highlights how these specific types of organizations evaluate and measure their work compared to other subsectors.

State of Evaluation in Canada: Education and Research charities
How do education and research charities measure up? A report that highlights how these specific types of organizations evaluate and measure their work compared to other subsectors.

State of Evaluation in Canada: Social Services Charities
How do social services charities measure up? A report that highlights how these specific types of organizations evaluate and measure their work compared to other subsectors.

The State of Evaluation in Ontario
An Ontario-specific report that looks at what is being evaluated and measured by Ontario nonprofits and charities and the role and influence of funders on measurement and evaluation.

Unfair or Unwanted? Competition Between Charities and Nonprofit Businesses in Canada
As Canadian charities face a long-term crisis of financial sustainability, they are looking at ways to increase earned income. At the same time, for-profit businesses have become more active in areas once thought to be the unique domain of charities.


Young People & Nonprofit Work
Through a series of interviews with young workers, we gained insights into the experiences, aspirations and challenges these individuals face as they explore a career in the nonprofit sector.

Charities in Canada as an Economic Sector
The discussion paper, by Chief Economist Brian Emmett and co-author Geoffrey Emmett, invites Canadians, governments, businesses and communities to not only think of charities as purpose driven but also as an essential component driving Canada’s economy.

Tax Incentives for Charitable Donations in Canada with a Focus on the Stretch Tax Credit for Charitable Giving
Brian Emmett, our Chief Economist, and Harvey Sims, the former Chief Economist, Privy Council Office for the Government of Canada and Ottawa-based consultant, co-authored a discussion paper about the tax incentives for charitable giving in Canada paying particular attention to the proposed Stretch Tax Credit.