Photo: Cian Murphy and Tim Harrison-Byrne (nfpResearch), Richard Schwar (OCGA) and Judith Lingeman (Postcode Lottery Group).

The session is the latest in a series of digital events hosted by the Canadian Postcode Lottery Foundation and the Ontario Charitable Gaming Association (OCGA).

The Canadian Postcode Lottery Foundation is committed to running events which benefit the charity and non-profit sector in Ontario by helping them improve their efficiency and effectiveness.

Research Insights on Public Attitudes and Giving Patterns

Cian Murphy and Tim Harrison-Byrne, Co-Managing Directors at nfpResearch - a leading market research agency in the not-for-profit sector - presented findings from a bi-annual survey of 3,000 Canadian adults, looking at emerging patterns in charitable giving and public attitudes.

During the session, several key takeaways were highlighted for organisations preparing for the year ahead:

Public optimism is fragile so plan for volatility: With optimism remaining uncertain, charities may benefit from operational and financial planning designed to absorb fluctuations in public sentiment and revenue
Demonstrate impact clearly: There’s widespread feeling that progress is limited, so charities should plan to communicate the positive impact of their work
Invest in your brand: The public don’t tend to change their favourite causes so focus on building long-term trust and recognition
Diversify income streams: With giving levels flat, charities should consider broadening their funding models
Meet audiences where they are: A rapidly fragmenting media landscape means organisations may need to engage across a broader variety of platforms and formats

Richard Schwar, Executive Director of the Ontario Charitable Gaming Association (OCGA), hosted the session.

On the topic of funding diversification, Richard noted continued growth in the public’s understanding of the role gaming plays in supporting charitable organisations.

He described an upward trend in awareness, adding that customers increasingly recognise that their participation helps fund initiatives.

Postcode Lottery Group

Judith Lingeman is International Affairs Director at Postcode Lottery Group, which operates successful charity lotteries in Europe. The organization is hopeful about launching a Postcode Lottery in Canada in 2026 to start raising funds for good causes in the country.

Speaking on behalf of the Foundation, Judith highlighted that participants are drawn to charity lottery formats because they offer both “the chance to win” and “the good feeling of knowing you are giving back.”

Strategic Guidance for Long-Term Planning

Lynn Cassidy, Executive Director of the OCGA, said: “A lot of this information will be useful for charities in terms of long-term planning, and developing a strategy around fundraising campaigns.

“We’re very excited about the possibility of Postcode Lottery coming to Ontario to offer another fundraising means for charities.”

You can watch the session here:

Exploring Canada’s Giving Landscape: Key Trends, Challenges and Opportunities for 2026

Over 100 charity representatives have taken part in an online session sharing findings that examine emerging patterns in charitable giving and public attitudes of adults in Ontario.