We’ve just come through another federal election and the stakes were enormously high. Throughout the campaign period, I heard about the economic impact on the automobile, steel, aluminum, agricultural and clean energy sectors. I heard how concerned our nation was about housing, health care, and affordability (and rightfully so). And yet, the charitable sector remained largely invisible in the national conversation. For those of us who live and work in this vital and values-driven space, it was both disheartening and deeply concerning to see charities and nonprofits once again absent from debates, platforms, and headlines.

Canada’s charitable sector is a major economic and social force. There’s no doubt about it. It contributes 8% of the national GDP and employs over 2.5 million people. It touches every part of Canadian life: healthcare, food security, mental health, the environment, animal welfare, education, and the arts. When the economy suffers a setback, when policy gaps appear throughout our communities, or when people fall through the cracks, charities are the safety net. Even so, as our country braces for another round of economic and political instability, this sector is still waiting for a seat at the table.

Somehow, the sector is still not positioned as part of the infrastructure of this country—still no dedicated federal Minister; still largely invisible at the policy level yet still expected to be there for those who need our help with less funding, fewer volunteers, and higher expectations.

Been there – done that!

We’ve seen this before. During COVID, when everything turned upside down, demand for services skyrocketed, donations dropped, volunteers stepped back and small charities were left gasping for air. Worse yet, some of them closed down. Now, in 2025, we’re bracing again for economic downturns, for growing social needs, for increased donor uncertainty, and for new disruptions—all on the heels of a recent postal strike no less.

The numbers revealed by Imagine Canada and Canada Helps’ 2024 Giving Report paint a stark picture:

• 20% of Canadians are currently using charitable services to meet essential needs
• 48% of the charitable sector is experiencing reduced funding
• 37% are impacted by the cost of program and service provision
• 69% of charities are struggling to attract new donors.
• 57% say they cannot meet the current demand for their services.

An opportunity to lead differently

I can’t help but think that this moment of immense pressure and disappointment is also a moment of possibility.

After more than 33 years working with smaller and mid-sized charities, I’ve seen incredible resilience, innovation, and compassion. I’ve also seen burnout, exhaustion, and people leaving the work they love because the overload on our system makes it too hard to sustain. This doesn’t have to be our future.

My hope is that we reframe this moment— not as another crisis to survive—but as a collective call to action.

There are meaningful things we can do now, as a sector and as a country, to strengthen our foundation:

• Funders: My wish is that you streamline application and reporting processes. Trust charities with unrestricted, multi-year grants. Enable them focus on impact, not paperwork.
• Wealthy Canadians: This is a great time to step forward. Be visible, if that feels right for you. Inspire others through your action. Use your giving as a form of leadership.
• Volunteers: Please come back. Or come for the first time. We need you badly. And you can take comfort in the fact that we’re rethinking what volunteerism can look like.
• Charity Leaders: Speak up. Share your stories boldly on your social media channels and support your staff whatever way you can. Together, we are harder to ignore.
• Policy-makers: Listen to the data and to the charities and nonprofits who act as the eyes and ears for community needs right across this great country of ours.

We also need to support those who are already advocating for us. Imagine Canada, for instance, has shown leadership through policy reform, legislative advocacy, and clear-eyed reporting. Their work is helping to change the story, and we should be backing that effort with everything we’ve got.

I really want this sector to have a seat at the table but we can’t afford to wait for an invitation. We must continue to show up as the essential, innovative, professional, high-impact sector that we are, and champion efforts to be part of a longer-term solution.

Lois Graveline is a passionate advocate for meaningful philanthropy, dedicated to forging strong connections between individuals and charitable organizations. As the Founder and CEO of Harmonia Philanthropy and a fundraising practitioner of thirty-two years, she embodies the belief that philanthropy should transcend transactional relationships, creating lasting impacts for both donors and communities. lois@harmoniaphilanthropy.ca or (613) 282-0344.