However, Michael Hall of Imagine Canada, which promotes the role and interests of the charitable and voluntary sectors, says there are signs that many corporations may be able to stay the course in the coming year.
“I’m nervous because the economic situation is so uncertain, but we do have indications that many businesses are thinking about holding their own, and for them there may be an opportunity in this in terms of demonstrating their commitment to community during tough times.”
One such company is oil and gas giant EnCana, which has a healthy track record in charitable donations and community investment and follows Imagine Canada’s recommendation that corporations donate one per cent of pre-tax profits.
“I’m nervous because the economic situation is so uncertain, but we do have indications that many businesses are thinking about holding their own, and for them there may be an opportunity in this in terms of demonstrating their commitment to community during tough times.”“We just got the 2009 budget yesterday and charitable giving will remain as it has been. One big part of what EnCana values is giving to the communities, so it hasn’t crossed anyone’s mind to cut that portion of the budget by any means,” says EnCana spokesperson Rhona Del Frari.
For EnCana, one per cent has amounted to about $30 million per year for the last few years. The company also has its EnCanaCares program, in which it matches employee donations to charitable and non-profit organizations.
An October EnCanaCares campaign raised $4 million in all, benefiting 1300 charities. “This was actually 14 per cent more than in 2007,” says Del Frari.
David Cooper of Coopers Office Furniture in Toronto says the economic downturn won’t affect his philanthropic efforts because what he donates is his time “and that will never change.”
