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The Economic Impact of Belonging

Our new Architects of Belonging: Civil Society Impact Study, produced in collaboration with CIFAL Victoria at the University of Victoria, captures the vital role that civil society organizations (also known as charitable organizations) play in our community and the breadth of individuals they support.

Beyond the social impact of their work, the charitable sector drives extensive economic value. Collectively, charitable organizations are a proven community asset. The sector delivers $5.4 billion in annual economic activity, on par with the technology sector in Greater Victoria and with Agriculture, Forestry & Fishing in British Columbia. It also supports 60,600 jobs and delivers more than $366 million in municipal taxes. The induced multiplier effect means the sector’s true impact is more than $8.7 billion, driving the equivalent of 110,000 jobs and just over $666 million in municipal taxes. These jobs keep skilled workers in the region while building deeper connections to the community.

Economic impact infographic

The Report

An image of the covoer of the 2024 State-of-the-Sector report.
Textured background, orange

Architects of Belonging: Civil Society Impact Study

The new study advances the story of our 2018 Civil Society Report while focusing more on the charitable sector’s impacts on belonging.

Explore the report in three formats: an infographic, an abridged version and the full research report. Each draw on the same comprehensive findings from the full report produced by Dr. Crystal Tremblay, Dr. Brock Smith and Olivia Almeida from the University of Victoria.

Infographic

Abridged Report

Full Research Report

2018 Civil Society Report

This study examined the social impact and economic activity of civil society in the capital region in 2016. It was conducted to help better understand and strengthen the sector for the betterment of our community.

About CIFAL Victoria and the University of Victoria

CIFAL Victoria is part of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) Global Network, hosted at the University of Victoria since 2022. CIFAL Victoria delivers training programs, conducts research and facilitates partnerships that advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) through innovative, locally responsive approaches. The centre specializes in community-based participatory research, social innovation and capacity building for civil society organizations, government and private sector partners working to create more inclusive and resilient communities.