The spirit of giving spread across New Westminster this past year.
That's according to GoFundMe's Year in Help 2023 report, which stated that New West was the seventh most generous community among Canadian cities with more than 50,000 people.
In its data, the crowdfunding website said more than 5,500 donations were made from New Westminster residents in 2023. This, despite the rising cost of living and inflation.
At a population of roughly 79,000 people, the total represents a per capita donation rate of 7.06 per cent.
"This community has truly exemplified GoFundMe's core values of giving back and spreading goodwill in 2023," a marketing spokesperson on behalf of GoFundMe said in a statement to the Record.
"Whether it's helping a neighbour rebuild their home, contributing to a medical fundraiser, or supporting an important local organization, Canadians exemplified the meaning of giving," added Ved Khan, GoFundMe's senior corporate affairs manager for Canada, in a release.
"Their unwavering commitment to supporting one another has not only defined 2023 but has set the gold standard for what it means to be a compassionate community."
Victoria, B.C.'s capital, was listed as the most generous city in Canada with more than 26,000 donations this past year, equalling a 28.62 per cent per capita rate.
Across Canada, two million donations were made for several causes, which was a 7.3 per cent increase compared to the 1.86 million donations in 2022.
The top 20 most generous communities in Canada for 2023, based on GoFundMe's data, are as follows:
- Victoria, B.C.
- North Vancouver, B.C.
- Vancouver, B.C.
- Prince George, B.C.
- Kelowna, B.C.
- Nanaimo, B.C.
- New Westminster, B.C.
- Brampton, Ont.
- Maple Ridge, B.C.
- Thunder Bay, Ont.
- Port Coquitlam, B.C.
- Kitchener, Ont.
- Peterborough, Ont.
- Guelph, Ont,
- St. John’s, N.L.
- Toronto, Ont.
- Milton, Ont.
- Whitby, Ont.
- Barrie, Ont.
- Fredericton, N.B.
