Inflation putting a pinch on Giving Tuesday in Manitoba
Giving Tuesday is normally a time when Manitoba's charitable organizations see a spike in donations.
This year, however, with inflation putting a pinch on just about everybody's pocketbook, some non-profits are seeing new highs - and new lows - in the size and frequency of contributions.
Mary Beth Taylor, VP of community generosity with the Winnipeg Foundation, says generosity is in Manitoba's DNA.
Taylor's claim isn't all that far-fetched; Manitoba ranks as the top province for the highest percentage of tax filers that donate to a charity among provinces, at a little over 20 per cent, according to the Fraser Institute's annual Generosity Index.
"I love Giving Tuesday because it mobilized generosity across the country and really gives the charities an opportunity to celebrate their donors and highlight some projects," said Taylor, adding there are some people having a harder time donating than in previous years.
"This is a wonderful opportunity for us to be out in the community to remind folks how important giving is today," said Jason Granger with United Way.
Granger notes that Giving Tuesday is especially important for charities this year given the rising cost of living.
Over at St. Amant, staff are seeing some Manitobans pitch in a bit more where others can't.
"People who've had a little bit of an easier time, that were able to give a little bit more to maybe help compensate with those who did have to reduce some of their donations," said Juliette Mucha, executive director at St. Amant.
At the Winnipeg Art Gallery, the facility is in desperate need of a new freight elevator to replace the existing one, which dates back to the 1970s.
"It's like a small studio apartment but it allows us to move things throughout the building to every level," said WAG CEO Stephen Borys.
But the elevator's many years of service finally caught up to it. Borys says repairing the elevator is a non-starter since the building's original infrastructure is too outdated.
"The full cost to replace the freight elevator and the two passenger elevators in the WAG building is $1 million," said Borys.
Borys and staff at the WAG are hopeful Giving Tuesday will kick-start fundraising to help cover the costs of the new elevators.
"We have stairs but many people can't use stairs. Kids with parents, with families. Any sort of mobility issue," he said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
AS IT HAPPENED Wildfire reaches Jasper Wednesday night, causes 'significant loss'
One of two wildfires threatening Jasper National Park reached the townsite Wednesday night and caused 'significant loss.'
Alberta calls in army to assist with wildfire situation
Alberta has called in the Canadian Armed Forces to help assist with the worsening wildfire situation in the province.
Biden explains why he ended re-election bid in Oval Office address
U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday delivered a solemn call to voters to defend the country's democracy as he laid out in an Oval Office address his decision to drop his bid for reelection and throw his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris.
Barrie-Innisfil MPP 'blacked-out' and crashed car into window of child care centre
Staff at a Barrie child care centre say they are frustrated by what they call a local MPP's inadequate response after a car crashed through a window in one of the toddler rooms.
Norad intercepts Russian and Chinese bombers operating together near Alaska in apparent first
The North American Aerospace Defence Command (Norad) intercepted two Russian and two Chinese bombers flying near Alaska Wednesday in what appears to be the first time the two countries have been intercepted while operating together.
2 Canadians being 'sent home immediately,' removed from Olympic team after drone incident
An analyst and an assistant coach with Canada Soccer are being removed from the Canadian Olympic Team and 'sent home immediately,' according to the Canadian Olympic Committee.
An unwelcome attendee has joined the Paris Olympic Games: COVID-19
After a handful of Australian water polo players tested positive for COVID-19 this week, questions have emerged around how the spread of the disease will be mitigated at the Summer Olympic Games in Paris.
Vacations, meals, booze: Contractor used $100K of charity's money for personal expenses, B.C. court finds
A B.C. man who was hired to help a non-profit build a food hub but instead spent the money on personal expenses – including travel, restaurants, booze and cannabis – has been ordered to pay more than $120,000 in damages.
Male, female killed, 2 others injured in 'gun battle' outside Toronto plaza: police
Two people are dead and two others suffered serious injuries following a shooting that police have described as a 'gun battle' outside a plaza in Scarborough, Ont. early Wednesday morning.