Category: uncategorized

2021 Highlights:

• Impact analysis on 280 charities. This could be the most, consistent impact information for donors in the world. Looking past overhead ratios, impact measures the difference your giving makes. It’s not how much you give, but how much good your giving does. We calculate that, if you give to High Impact charities, your giving does +7X more good. Please check out the https://www.charityintelligence.ca/giving-with-impact/top-impact-charities 2021 Top Impact charities – these charities are truly inspiring and many may be charities you haven’t heard of. 
• Website visits at an all-time high of 587,100. More Canadians than ever use our research and ratings to give intelligently, a 19% year-over-year increase. For context, approximately 400,000 attended Woodstock in 1969 and 584,000 attended Winnipeg Jets hockey games pre-covid. Charity Intelligence’s website is the “go-to trusted source for information on Canadian charities.” Globally, Charity Intelligence is the world’s fourth most visited charity research and evaluation website.
• Our first social media campaign, Give Different, is running during the 2021 Giving Season so more people can learn about Charity Intelligence. Please tell your friends and family about Charity Intelligence – nothing is more powerful than word of mouth – and share this email and our posts on Facebook and Twitter. We’d love you to be a Ci super spreader.
• We updated 416 charity reports over the summer. This gives you the most recent and relevant information at your fingertips to make your giving decisions. We hope to crank this up in 2022 as both donors and charities want more frequent updates.
• Our charity research informed an estimated $103 million in Canadian giving by our estimate –  0.6% of total Canadian giving of around $17 billion. There’s lots more work to do! Charity Intelligence’s total operating costs in 2021 were only $419,000.  We are focused and frugal, using digital tools to deliver high impact on your generous support. Every dollar you gave to Charity Intelligence informed $246 of giving –  a 38% improvement over 2020’s $178 – yet below the 5-year average of $290. Still, this is phenomenally high impact on your funding. 

Financial Review: Charity Intelligence is a small charity with donations of $572,945 in F2021 (our financial year ends June 30). Total operating costs were $419,000 and $56,764 in donor-designated grants to charities. The single largest cost is research costs – impact measurement analysts cost $244,015 and charity ratings cost $84,876.  Salaries are our highest cost – we use trained analysts rather than data scrapes to do charity research. We believe this gives you higher quality research and reports. Ci paid $345,639 in total compensation to three full-time staff,  eight summer interns and one part-time staff. Another $21,821 was paid in professional fees to our auditor, financial controller, lawyer, and for insurance Indirect research costs of $61,026 include the Give Different campaign, website maintenance and hosting, and legal advice. Charity Intelligence’s administrative costs were 4.6% of total revenues and fundraising costs were 0.2% of donations. Overhead spending was 4.8% with 95 cents going to the cause. Charity Intelligence has $579,165 in funding reserves that cover 1.5 years of program spending. For more detailed information, read Charity Intelligence’s images/2021/Charity_Intelligence_Financial_Statements_2021.pdf 2021 audited financial statements and the rating and review of https://www.charityintelligence.ca/charity-details/261-charity-intelligence Charity Intelligence. 
Thank you for your incredible support of Charity Intelligence. While most people said that doing charity research was pointless, “who cares”, or “who has the time to research a charity”, you believed in intelligent giving for impact. You saw the opportunity for data analytics to improve our giving and make Canada’s philanthropic sector stronger and more dynamic. 

Your support makes charity research, ratings and reports happen – and helps transform Canadian giving.

Our very best wishes for a healthy and happy holiday season. 

Your Ci Team
December 16, 2021

On February 24, 2022 Russia invaded Ukraine. This is a full-blown war. In a war, charities have a limited role to be effective. A war is different from a natural disaster like an earthquake. An earthquake happens and is over. It is safe for charities to help people recover. In an ongoing war, this is not the case. Ukraine’s needs are also different. Firepower and financial sanctions are the domain of governments, not charities.
May 28, 2022 https://www.charityintelligence.ca/research-and-news/ci-views/31-disaster-response/708-an-update-on-red-cross-work-in-ukraine 3 month update: To date, Ukrainian Red Cross has only received 1.3% of the total Red Cross funding. Learn more.
As a disaster response is entirely different from charities’ development programs, war is a whole different realm entirely. Charities provide humanitarian needs. Most charities are impartial. It is unclear which charities are working in Ukraine or in neighbouring countries like Poland and Romania, and what they are doing.   
For donors, you want your giving to get as close to Ukraine as possible, as quickly as possible. You don’t want your donation sitting in a Canadian bank account two years from now.
The charity appeals ask for donations now, to save lives now. Yet this is in contrast to a strong trend across the emergency response sector to stagger emergency aid over many years, sometimes lasting more than five years. Fast aid is far more effective than aid given in five years. For example, shelter provided today provides more good than shelter provided five years from now. Be wary of charity appeals that include wording like “long term rebuiliding” or “development”. Ukraine needs humanitarian aid now.
3 Donating Tips:
1. Use secure websites to make credit card transactions. We recommend CanadaHelps or PayPal Giving Fund. CBC reports fundraising scams, or “war profiteering”, from the Ukraine war. We too have been notified of credit card scams.
2. Also make a larger one-time donation to get aid there faster, rather than smaller monthly donations.
3. Cash not stuff. On social media people are posting shopping lists to buy supplies to take to Ukraine. Logistics are challenging in Ukraine. Most of these supplies will likely not make it to the region or end up in landfills. Without humanitarian corridors or a ceasefire, getting aid into Ukraine is https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/charities-struggle-deliver-humanitarian-aid-ukraine-83268706″ target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer nearly impossible as ports are blockaded and roads are bombed. It is not safe for humanitarian aid staff to deploy.
 
Key Take Away: 
While there is much focus on Ukrainian refugees, it is the needs of people inside Ukraine where we see support doing the most good. The +3 million refugees who have left Ukraine are exhausted and distressed. But they are safe in Europe.
It is the 41 million people in Ukraine where we see support critically needed. There are twice as many, an estimated 6-7 million Ukrainians, that are refugees inside Ukraine. They have left the war regions for relative safety in Western Ukraine. We recommend giving financial support to charities inside Ukraine like Ukrainian Red Cross, MSF/Doctors Without Borders. We are also exploring how Canadians can give to Caritas Ukraine. 
Charities to choose from
Donate here to  https://www.cufoundation.ca/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer Canada-Ukraine Foundation appeal. In a CBC Toronto Metro Morning interview on February 28, it provided clear facts: it isn’t possible to send containers and shipments into Ukraine. The charity is raising donations to buy food and blankets inside Kyiv to distribute. A donation today will be distributed in 7 days. Canada-Ukraine Foundation has funding reserves of $1.6 million and hopes to raise $5 million.
Update March 17, 2022: $17 million https://www.cufoundation.ca/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer raised with $5 million (29%) in aid delivered to heavily shelled areas in north and east Ukraine. Aid also distributed to neighbouring countries to support displaced families. Future aid will follow as prior deliveries of support are monitored and needs evolve. 
https://action.msf.ca/site/Donation2?df_id=2260&mfc_pref=T&2260.donation=form1&s_locale=en_CA” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer Doctors Without Borders/MSF Canada is typically our go-to top pick with the best track record in speed, effectiveness and reporting. Medical supplies and medical support are the evidence-based, proven highest impact response. As of March 3, 2022 MSF’s Ukrainian operations are based out of the relatively calm city of Lviv in Western Ukraine. It is co-ordinating with Ukrainian hospitals to assess their needs, restock medical supplies, especially surgical supplies to deal with mass casualties that are running low. Supplies are being trucked in and distributed across Ukraine. For more information, https://www.cbc.ca/radio/thecurrent/the-current-for-march-4-2022-1.6372708″ target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer CBC The Current’s interview (starts at 34:30.)
Please note that MSF’s policy is not to raise money for a specific appeal. Donations will be used for all of MSF’s work. That said, looking back over prior crises, MSF spends more on disaster response than other charities which have special emergency appeals.
April 6, 2022: While respecting neutrality, https://www.msf.org/msf-team-witnesses-hospital-bombing-mykolaiv Doctors Without Borders testifies Ukrainian hospitals are bombed by Russia which is against the Geneva Convention. Also Canadian pediatrician and former head of Doctors Without Borders worldwide, Dr. Joann Liu, is deployed in Ukraine to help transfer critically injured children from southeastern Ukraine.  
Ukrainian Red Cross: To ensure your support gets into Ukraine, you can https://donate.redcrossredcrescent.org/ua/donate/~my-donation?context_form_id=form_b3c4871eefc9230b8da009dbff2b6bb2_6217f7b63ee410.77625343#form-error” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer donate directly to Ukrainian Red Cross. This is not a Canadian registered charity and you will NOT get a tax receipt. Its donations are processed by Swiss Red Cross. Inside Ukraine, Ukrainian Red Cross is mobilizing volunteers and resources, collecting blood and helping those affected by the conflict. It is providing food, blankets and medical care in the subway station-bomb shelters in Kyiv. Ukrainian Red Crosses heroic work in the Maiden protests are featured in Netflix’s documentary Winter on Fire. It’s battle-tested and proven.
The International Committee of Red Cross is also supporting Ukrainian Red Cross with medicines and equipment, food and hygiene items for families.
Most people don’t know that each Red Cross is an independent charity, and donations are not necessarily shared between them. For example, in Canadian Red Cross’s most recent filings for https://apps.cra-arc.gc.ca/ebci/hacc/srch/pub/t3010/v25/t3010Schdl2_dsplyovrvw” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer its international spending in F2021 (March year end), of its $34.4 million spent with other Red Cross partners, $30,000 was allocated to the International Federation of Red Cross Societies for work in Ukraine. These transfers are important to track going forward.
 
Charity Intelligence in the News:
CBC News https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/how-to-support-ukraine-explainer-march-4-1.6373953″ target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer 5 Things to Consider When Donating to Ukraine, March 5, 2022
https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/2011387459626″ target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer Radio interview with CBC Halifax (8 minutes) March 10, 2022
Talking with https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwZNUuiS3kA&ab_channel=CharityIntelligence” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer Humble and Fred March 17, 2022
 
What’s going on? 
Canadians and donors around the world with governments have contributed more than C$850 million to Red Cross Ukraine appeals. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/world/article-international-red-cross-in-ukraine-says-it-is-a-victim-of-a/ Globe and Mail’s Paul Waldie reports from Kiev that Ukrainian Red Cross is in “desperate need” of supplies.
As of March 28, Ukrainian Red Cross has only received https://www.facebook.com/RedCrossUkraine/ $2.5 million in transfers from Red Cross members. We’re waiting for an interview with Canadian Red Cross and will update.
 
https://donate.redcross.ca/page/100227/donate/1?_ga=2.257550155.1361646352.1646063208-217377081.1646063208&_gl=1*4nltto*_ga*MjE3Mzc3MDgxLjE2NDYwNjMyMDg.*_ga_376D8LHM0R*MTY0NjA2MzIwNy4xLjAuMTY0NjA2MzIwNy4w” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer Canadian Red Cross: Donations now surpass $119 million including the Government of Canada’s match of $30 million to Ukraine appeal. (This  https://donate.redcross.ca/page/100227/donate/1?locale=en-CA” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer match is fulfilled). Historically in wars, Red Cross supports prisoners of war, ensuring international codes of conduct, providing letters and food parcels. 
https://www.redcross.ca/blog/2022/3/the-red-cross-is-responding-to-meet-the-growing-humanitarian-needs-in-ukraine-and-neighbouring-count” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer Update March 17: Canadian Red Cross has committed $45 million to the International Red Cross response. In addition, Canadian Red Cross has sent 9 humanitarian experts who are based in Hungary, along with emergency supplies like blankets, tarps and cooking supplies.
Update March 23: Ukrainian Ambassador to the European Union, Chentsov, https://twitter.com/amanpour/status/1506700033164460037?s=21 calls on the Red Cross, that has received millions in donations, to use this money to help Ukrainians now, not in one year. 
Update March 29: Canadian Red Cross has already contributed $82.5 million (69% of all funds raised) to the international Red Cross response with approximately 2/3rds (~$54 million) going to support people in Ukraine and 1/3rd (~$28 million) to help Ukrainian refugees in surrounding countries. Nine Canadian Red Cross experts are mobilized to support in the response areas, like Hungary.
Here’s Canadian Red Cross’s https://donate.redcross.ca/page/100227/donate/1?_ga=2.257550155.1361646352.1646063208-217377081.1646063208&_gl=1*4nltto*_ga*MjE3Mzc3MDgxLjE2NDYwNjMyMDg.*_ga_376D8LHM0R*MTY0NjA2MzIwNy4xLjAuMTY0NjA2MzIwNy4w” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer appeal statement:
“Money raised will enable Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement to respond to

• humanitarian needs generated by almost eight years of conflict, as well as
• preparedness and response efforts due to heightened tensions in Ukraine
• The support could include:
  • preparedness
  • immediate and ongoing relief efforts
  • long-term recovery
  • resiliency
  • other critical humanitarian activities as needs arise, both in Ukraine and surrounding countries.”

This is an everything-but-the-kitchen-sink statement – the money can go to pretty much anything over any time frame. The time has passed for Ukraine to “prepare” for conflict and the statement also includes “long-term recovery”. Let’s pray that a ceasefire comes soon but, in the meantime, the priority should be immediate efforts. More information and clear details of spending will be appreciated.
 
 
 
Refugee support
Update March 22, 2022: An estimated 3.6 million Ukrainians have left Ukraine and are now refugees. Most, 2.1 million or 59%, have left through Poland, with Romania and Moldova receiving the next largest influx. Polish Red Cross and Romanian Red Cross will likely be the frontline responders supported by the International Red Cross. (Source: https://data2.unhcr.org/en/situations/ukraine” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer UNHCR Ukraine situation portal for updates.)
Prior to the Russian invasion, Ukraine’s population was 44 million. So far, 8% have fled. For context, there were 6.8 million Syrian refugees during its ongoing civil war, about 35% of its pre-war population. (source Justine Spike,  https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-refugees-454ae620724d3b91208ce63c0128fa69″ target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer Associated Press, February 28, 2022) Watching news reports, it is local citizens rather than charities who are providing food and hot drinks to arriving refugees. European citizens have opened their arms and homes to support these refugees. This is incredible. The border areas appear to have many of their humanitarian needs met.
 
 
Children’s charities 
Many international children’s charities are also fundraising. We feel that in war, yes children are vulnerable, but all people need humanitarian aid. Parents need help to care for their children. The elderly need care too. We focus on charities that help all people rather than a focus on children.
Plan International Canada’s response is mobilized to support Ukrainian refugees at the borders of Poland, Moldova and Romania to provide shelter, food, water, psycho-social support, safe spaces for children, and protective services for girls at risk. “It is vitally important that we act as quickly as possible.”
Plan International and other international development charities are coordinating their appeals for the Ukraine response through the https://plancanada.ca/stories/canadian-charities-join-forces-to-support-ukraine” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer Humanitarian Coalition. 
https://donate.savethechildren.ca/site/Donation2?df_id=2560&mfc_pref=T&2560.donation=form1&s_src=hp-slider” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer Save the Children Canada’s statement: “Children in Ukraine are caught in the crossfire of an adult war. They need our help. Save the Children stands ready to provide urgent humanitarian assistance to children and their families in the region.” Save the Children is scaling up to distribute winter kits and hygiene kits, providing cash grants to families so they can meet basic needs like food, rent and medicine as well as support to children to overcome the mental and psychological impact of conflict.
https://donate.worldvision.ca/products/ukraine-crisis-response?_ga=2.49529317.2129757206.1646687557-1584931629.1589379711″ target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer World Vision Canada: its Romanian office will be responding and providing relief to children and families fleeing Ukraine. In past disaster responses, World Vision has a good track record with quick support, high cash distributions and meeting needs. Yet this is a full-out war rather than a natural disaster response.
Other charities you have asked about: 
Help Age Canada spent $32,000 in Ukraine https://helpagecanada.ca/ukraine/ last year distributing 1,000 boxes to vulnerable and isolated seniors in the Eastern Ukraine conflict area. This is 2% of its total spending. Help Age International is supporting 4,800 people. 
Samaritan’s Purse Canada is a US-based evangelical Christian charity. It has deployed disaster response specialists to Poland and Romania to do rapid needs assessments. It has set up a 60-bed field hospital outside of Lviv in Ukraine. Ukraine hospitals outside of the South and East conflict zones are fully functional. 
BCU Foundation is a private Canadian foundation that has donor-advised funds. It is handling transactions for https://www.lucorg.com/block.php/block_id/77″ target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer Friends of Ukraine Defense Forces organized by League of Ukrainian Canadians. “Since 2014, Friends of Ukraine Defense Forces (FUDF) have provided humanitarian aid and non-lethal assistance to Ukraine’s courageous soldiers, volunteers and families of fallen heroes. Over $2.5 million has been raised to support Homeland Defense – Terytorialna Oborona and its mission to protect territorial sovereignty of Ukraine.” Yet it is confusing that BCU Foundation https://apps.cra-arc.gc.ca/ebci/hacc/srch/pub/dsplyRprtngPrd?q.srchNmFltr=bcu+foundation&q.stts=0007&selectedCharityBn=893879015RR0001&dsrdPg=1″ target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer doesn’t report any previous international work. 
Animal charities
Many emails from donors asking how to help pets and animals in Ukraine. We have no knowledge of these charities or groups nor have we seen their work in previous disasters. An email from a Dr. Hardy recommends the Canadian charity https://www.vetswithoutborders.ca/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer Veterinarians Without Borders (its website had no information about its Ukrainian crisis work) and there’s another Ukrainian animal rights group, https://www.patreon.com/posts/day-9th-of-war-63381639?fbclid=IwAR2hCELljVv4aygN2FUbrpoaa0RaA66I_84AvrDbGn5iPRpGekzpvrNHADs” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer UAnimals, that says it is distributing pet food inside Ukraine and helping evacuate animals. 
Charity Intelligence’s star ratings on charities have limited relevance for the Ukraine response. For example, a Canadian local charity may have a 5-star rating but its expertise would not be applicable to Ukraine’s urgent needs. 
If you have any comments or questions, please email us at mailto:info@charityintelligence.ca info@charityintelligence.ca
 
Other non-charity options to support Ukraine:
One can also send money directly to the Ukraine government through the National Bank of Ukraine. Canadian banks have waived all wire transfer fees on this support.  https://kyivindependent.com/national/heres-how-to-support-ukrainian-military/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer Kyiv Independent lists other options to help Ukraine.
Many questions about AirBnB: People around the world are using AirBnB’s platform to give money to people in Ukraine. This is an innovative way to make direct cash payments. Extensive evidence shows cash with no strings attached works as good if not better than charity programs in development (source https://www.usaid.gov/evaluation/cash-benchmarking-new-approach-aid-effectiveness USAID and https://www.givedirectly.org/research-on-cash-transfers/ GiveDirectly). Cash transfers were used to deliver aid in the Fort McMurray fires here in Canada. This gets support into Ukraine quickly. Cash transfers are dependent upon markets functioning, i.e., people can use the money to buy food, medical needs, transport. 
UNHCR Canada Canadian actor Ryan Reynolds’ $1 million match donation to UNHCR caused confusion on Twitter. This match is for donations to USA UNHCR, an American charity. Canadian donations to UNHCR are not matched. And some Canadians on Twitter seem to feel that a donation to Canadian Red Cross is the same as a donation to UNHCR. These are different organizations that do different programs.
https://give.unhcr.ca/page/100190/donate/1?ea.tracking.id=SEM22_EUR&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=CA_PS_EN_UA&gclid=CjwKCAiApfeQBhAUEiwA7K_UH5fIaGUNl1slCh57OPtaMBBvEJbH_XKQ2G6IXELrMioVHN1q7IXA_BoCQWMQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer UNHCR’s Ukraine Emergency Response: UNHCR is a UN agency that operates with a $9.2 billion annual budget. It is mostly supported by governments rather than individual donations. UNHCR Canada is not a registered charity. We have no information about its finances or its results (see our report on https://www.charityintelligence.ca/charity-details/1011-unhcr-canada UNHCR Canada for more information.) But as a UN agency, support receives a tax receipt. UNHCR will handle the refugee resettlement process as it did in the Syrian war.
UNHCR is launching a cash program to help internally-displaced people inside Ukraine who have taken refuge in the Western region. It aims to provide cash to 360,000 people in this first round. In Eastern Ukraine, UNHCR trucks delivered tarps, blankets, mattresses and jerry cans to 5,400 people, and core relief items to 2,000 people in Suny. In Donetsk and Luhansik, emergency shelter support (tarps, blankets) were delivered to 5,000 people. (Source https://data2.unhcr.org/en/documents/details/91448″ target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer UNHCR Response in Ukraine)
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/27/un-refugee-agency-accused-over-response-to-ukraine-war The Guardian’s March 27, 2022 article is dire: Lviv’s deputy mayor Serhiy Kiral says it took weeks to get through to the UNHCR just to find the person to talk with. “We laid out what we need like humanitarian aid, food, etc. There were lots of promises and commitments…up till today, nothing is happening.”
 
https://www.international.gc.ca/world-monde/issues_development-enjeux_developpement/response_conflict-reponse_conflits/crisis-crises/ukraine.aspx?lang=eng#a5_1″ target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer Canadian Government response
Support to Canadian charities for Ukraine appeals:

• $30 million matching donations to Canadian Red Cross
• $15 million in humanitarian aid funding in 2022 to assist “experienced charity partners” on the ground respond to humanitarian needs in Ukraine as they evolve – emergency health services, WASH, shelter and food aid
• $35 million in development funding – international development – to partner organizations in Ukraine that are well placed to scale up programs. This will likely be the big humanitarian aid charities, like Canadian Red Cross, Save the Children, UNICEF, Plan Canada

This split of $15 million in humanitarian aid (30%) and $35 million in development funding (70%) has raised ire in the Canadian Ukraine community that calls for a more short-term weighting with more aid funding now.
Support to the Ukraine government: Loans to the Ukraine government of up to $620 million through lending and also $6 million in technical assistance grants.
Since 2015, 250 Canadian Armed Forces personnel training Ukraine forces. On February 14, 2022 the Government of Canada announced $7 million in military support to Ukraine.
To have the greatest effect, Canada is coordinating with the European Union and the US. It is taking the lead on pressing the claim of war crimes to the International Court of Justice. Finance Minister, Chrystia Freeland, was the lead on the economic blockade of Russian banks with the SWIFT ban. For more information, the Globe and Mail’s Robert Fife gives a walkthrough in https://www.theglobeandmail.com/podcasts/the-decibel/article-the-canadian-pushback-against-putin/ this podcast. 
We will be updating this page. Follow on Twitter @CharityCanada 
 
How we make our picks: disaster response research since 2010
Charity Intelligence has followed charity disaster appeals since 2010. We assess and analyse the charity’s updates at 6 months, 1 year, 2 year, and 3 year. These donor reports tell how much money was raised in the appeal, when it was spent, what it was spent on, who it helped and other information. We compare which charity did what. We also use external research on disaster responses, like https://groundtruthsolutions.org/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer Ground Truth Solution’s surveys on those affected, what their needs are and which charity was most responsive.
For example, here’s our 2018 report on https://www.charityintelligence.ca/research-and-news/ci-views/33-donor-giving/578-nepal-three-years-later Nepal’s 2015 Earthquake disaster response. 
Too few donors evaluate disaster or emergency appeals. With scant donor interest in reading progress reports, charities perhaps see little need in reporting back. We urge all donors to expect accountability of the charities they support and ask how the charity spent its support. As more Canadians do this follow-up, charity reporting should improve and there will be better accountability. Aid will be faster and better, ultimately helping those in a crisis.
 
If you find Charity Intelligence’s research useful in your giving, please consider https://www.charityintelligence.ca/donate donating to support our work. Being funded by donors like you maintains our independence to help Canadians be informed in their giving. Canadians donate over $17 billion each year. This giving could achieve tremendous results. We hope Charity Intelligence’s research helps Canadians give better.
Legal disclaimer: The information in this report was prepared by Charity Intelligence Canada and its independent analysts from publicly available information. Charity Intelligence and its analysts have made endeavours to ensure that the data in this report is accurate and complete, but accept no liability.
The views and opinions expressed are to inform donors on matters of public interest. Views and opinions are not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, organization, individual, or anyone or anything. Any dispute arising from your use of this website or viewing this material hereon shall be governed by the laws of the Province of Ontario, without regard to any conflict of law provisions.
 

April 2023 update: Over one year later and the war in Ukraine hasn’t slowed down. Neither has donors’ gracious support. Red Cross’ around the world have fundraiser a massive total of $2.66 billion CAD, doubling since our last update in June 2022.
 Of this, Ukrainian Red Cross has received $111m, representing 5.5% of all funds donated. This is an increase from the calculated 1.2% last year, but is still nowhere near the 25% agreed to in the https://www.ifrc.org/sites/default/files/Movement-pledges-to-the-GB.pdf Grand Bargain agreement. 
Unfortunately, this massive fundraising push doesn’t seem to coincide with more transparency. In a recent https://static1.squarespace.com/static/62e895bdf6085938506cc492/t/6425c31dd80fad7b574c933d/1680196387109/GTS_Ukraine_R1_March_2023.pdf survey of Ukrainians by Ground Truth Solutions, 89% of Ukrainians did not know how aid agencies spend money. Large international charities may be receiving lots of funding, but is it trickling down enough? Ukraine’s local Charities are desperate for help, stating they “have failed to see resources coming our way” in an https://globalfundcommunityfoundations.org/news/an-open-letter-to-international-donors-and-ngos-who-want-to-genuinely-help-ukraine/ open letter demanding for more trust and support from International charities. 
If you are looking for ways to support Ukraine, we are continuing to recommend donating directly to Ukrainian red cross. 
June 2022 update: The war in Ukraine has intensified. But unfortunately, Red Cross’s approach has remained the same. Its fundraising total has risen to a massive C$1.3 billion, almost doubling since May. Yet the bleak picture painted below continues. Not enough aid is getting inside Ukraine. And not nearly fast enough. As of June 3rd 2022, Ukrainian Red Cross had received C$26.1m from Red Cross⁴, only 2.1% of donations. 
“The West has pledged lots of aid, but it is not arriving fast enough to balance the books.” 
                                                                                                   The Economist, June 2022
Ukraine is desperate for help. Its economy is devastated, compared to the likes of the 1930s depression in America. The humanitarian work inside Ukraine is where aid is needed most. Getting our donations to work inside Ukraine will do the most good.
“The greatest needs are undoubtedly in places with active warfare that our team cannot reach. Civilians trapped in besieged cities need safe passage to locations of the choice.”
                                                                                                                   MSF April 2022 update
Here’s the link to donate directly to  https://donate.redcrossredcrescent.org/ua/donate/~my-donation” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer Ukrainian Red Cross. Please remember, Ukrainian Red Cross is not a Canadian registered charity and your donation will not receive a tax receipt. For large donations, please  mailto:kbahen@charityintelligence.ca contact us for Ukrainian Red Cross’s bank information. 

WAR IN UKRAINE:
May 26, 2022 Ukraine War Day 91: The world’s response to help Ukraine is one of the biggest fundraising appeals in history. As of May 5, 2022, Red Cross Societies around the world https://prddsgofilestorage.blob.core.windows.net/api/event-featured-documents/file/MDR65002ou2_dEdxpYS.pdf report raising $740m. This total is what International Federation of Red Cross (IFRC) reports, the overarching federation that represents all national Red Cross charities like Canadian Red Cross. Having given so generously, now we need to follow the money. 

Where have donations been spent and how much has made its way  
With the war, Ukrainian Red Cross is spending $8 million a month. With the funding it has received, URC can continue its activities at current levels for roughly four months or until the end of August². But as the war continues, especially as fighting intensifies in the Donbas region, URC may have to scale up its relief work.
 

What is the money doing?

Ukrainian Red Cross was founded in 1918, just 19 years after Canadian Red Cross. It has 208 local branches across Ukraine. Since the Maidan protests and the Russian invasion of Donbas in 2014, Ukrainian Red Cross has been on the front line of Ukraine’s battles. ICRC was founded in 1863 and is responsible for aid within armed conflict. It has also been working in Ukraine since 2014. 
URC and ICRC are both working to help people inside Ukraine while neighbouring Red Cross Societies are working to help refugees.  
 
Ukrainian Red Cross’ Facebook page posts frequent updates of activities and spending. As of April 26th, URC has spent $16.1m. Here’s a breakdown of how this money has been spent on humanitarian aid:
 
ICRC has not provided a breakdown of spending in Ukraine.
 

People helped by Red Cross donations  

Red Cross has helped almost 2 million people. URC has reached almost a million of these people, accounting for 53% of the total.
  

Total money spent

Donations to Red Cross are being spent inside Ukraine and also elsewhere. IFRC is supporting other Red Cross societies like Polish Red Cross and Romanian Red Cross around Ukraine. IFRC reports a breakdown of spending totaling C$298m.

Source: https://prddsgofilestorage.blob.core.windows.net/api/event-featured-documents/file/MDR65002ou2_dEdxpYS.pdf” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer IFRC Operational Update
The breakdown is as follows:

• C$193m allocated to ICRC. 
• C$73m allocated to IFRC. This is money for IFRC to give to National Red Cross Societies like Ukrainian, Polish, Moldova, Hungarian and other Red Crosses. A breakdown is not provided of how much funding each Society has received.
• C$4.1m spent domestically in National Societies
• C$3.4m granted to National Societies directly from National Societies, rather than through IFRC.

The remaining funding will support operations and activities both inside Ukraine and in bordering countries while the Red Cross continues its work over the next two years.
 

More recent information, updated July 6th 2022

 
In the months since writing this article, Red Cross has raised an additional C$522m. But Ukrainian Red Cross has received a sheepish C$16.3m since then. Including amounts given to ICRC, only an additional C$58.2m has made its way inside Ukraine.
In parallel with donations, Red Cross’s spending has also doubled. But where is the money going? IFRC was allocated C$147.4m “to scale up support to National Societies in Ukraine and neighbouring countries”. But IFRC has yet to detail where exactly this money is going. And unless otherwise detailed, it can be assumed the funds are sitting in a Geneva bank account.
Here are the most recent figures we have found as of July 6^th 2022: 

• Total amount raised: C$1,258.7m
• Total amount given to Ukrainian Red Cross: $26.1m, reported on June 3rd, 2.1% of total amounts raised
• Total amount spent: C$563.8m
  • C$234.3m allocated to ICRC, 18.6% of total amounts raised
  • C$147.4m allocated to IFRC (likely included is the C$26.1m given to URC)
  • C$132.3m spent domestically in National Societies
  • C$11.2m granted to National Societies directly from National Societies

While funds may not be flowing to Ukrainian Red Cross, it is continuing to help the majority of people. As of July 6th, IFRC reports it has helped 3.56 million people, doubling the number of people reached since May. Unsurprisingly, Ukrainian Red Cross has helped 62% of these people.
 

How you can help

In April 2022, IFRC doubled its Ukrainian appeal to $1.6 billion. It aims to reach 3.6 million people in Ukraine over the next two years. For those looking to support Ukrainian Red Cross, a donation to Canadian Red Cross or IFRC may not make it directly there. Instead, Canadian donors should consider giving directly to Ukrainian Red Cross. Unfortunately, this donation will not come with a tax receipt.
We urge the Canadian government to add URC to its Royal Gifts from Her Majesty list. This temporarily permits an international charity to issue tax receipts for Canadian donations. This is the original purpose of Royal Gifts. Here is what we wrote about research-and-news/ci-views/43-charity-news/660-royal-gifts-indeed Royal Gifts in 2019.
We continue to recommend donors give directly to Ukrainian Red Cross and MSF/Doctors Without Borders.
If you are looking for other ways to support Ukraine, Charity Intelligence’s recommendations can be found research-and-news/ci-views/31-disaster-response/707-ukraine-how-to-help here.
 
Sources:
https://prddsgofilestorage.blob.core.windows.net/api/event-featured-documents/file/MGR65002ou1_2_U9fWDha.pdf” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer IFRC Operational Update #1 Updated March 26th 2022
https://prddsgofilestorage.blob.core.windows.net/api/event-featured-documents/file/MDR65002ou2_dEdxpYS.pdf” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer IFRC Operational Update #2 Updated May 5^th 2022
https://www.ifrc.org/emergency/ukraine-and-impacted-countries” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer Ukraine Emergency Appeal Updated April 12^th 2022
Ukrainian Red Cross https://www.facebook.com/RedCrossUkraine” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer Facebook PageICRC
https://blogs.icrc.org/ua/2022/05/09/facts-figures-february-april-2022/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer Activity Highlights February 24 – April 24, 2022
Ukrainian Red Cross https://redcross.org.ua/?fbclid=IwAR26kNAMVbwTA-IktnUDTQHaEYmQq6yg00pEA5Xu75S3JZg5m8IDrwqfEWs” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer websiteICRC
https://www.icrc.org/en/document/more-150-civilians-evacuated-azovstal-and-mariupol-area-third-safe-passage-operation/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer news release May 8^th 2022
MSF Doctors Without Borders https://www.msf.org/responding-most-useful-role-and-around-ukraine” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer War in Ukraine April 2022 update
Sources used in Update: 
IFRC Operational Update https://prddsgofilestorage.blob.core.windows.net/api/sitreps/5854/Ukraine_and_impacted_countries_Fed-wide_overview_June.pdf” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer Federation-wide Overview Update June 16th
https://go.ifrc.org/emergencies/5854#federation-wide” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer IFRC Go data collection platform
The economist,  https://www.economist.com/briefing/2022/06/30/does-a-protracted-conflict-favour-russia-or-ukraine” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer The long war series, “Does a protracted conflict favour Russia or Ukraine?”
Notes:  

1. IFRC has not clearly stated how much money it has given to URC. Charity Intelligence used URC’s Facebook post from April 26^th, stating it received C$9.8m from Red Crosses. This amount could include donations from ICRC, meaning URC may have received less than 1.3% of donations.
2. 4 months of funding reserves was calculated based on URC’s spending of C$16m since the beginning of the Russian invasion February 25^th 2022, and total donations of C$47m from Red Cross and other philanthropists as of April 26th.
3. IFRC reports in Swiss Francs and Ukrainian Red Cross reports in Ukrainian hryvnia. Exchange rate of 1CHF:1.33CAD and 1UAH: 044CAD is used for currency conversion
4. Charity Intelligence added updates to this article on July 6th 2022. At this time Ukrainian Red Cross’ Facebook post from June 3rd states it has received C$26.1m from Red Cross partners

 
If you find Charity Intelligence’s research useful in your giving, please consider  donate donating to support our work. Being funded by donors like you maintains our independence to help Canadians be informed in their giving. Canadians donate over $18 billion each year. This giving could achieve tremendous results. We hope Charity Intelligence’s research helps Canadians give better.
Legal disclaimer: The information in this report was prepared by Charity Intelligence Canada and its independent analysts from publicly available information. Charity Intelligence and its analysts have made endeavours to ensure that the data in this report is accurate and complete, but accept no liability.
The views and opinions expressed are to inform donors on matters of public interest. Views and opinions are not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, organization, individual, or anyone or anything. Any dispute arising from your use of this website or viewing this material hereon shall be governed by the laws of the Province of Ontario, without regard to any conflict of law provisions.
 

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In September 2020 Craig and Marc Kielburger announced WE Charity was closing in Canada. Its real estate would be sold, its bank debt paid and what was left over would go to an endowment fund for its international and Canadian operations.
WE Charity’s 2021 audited financial statements provide details on this:

proceeds from the sale were $29.2 million
• transferred one building to WEllbeing Foundation valued at $4.9 million
• $5.3 million write-down

 

 
Two relatively new Canadian charities will continue WE Charity’s programs: WE Charity Foundation for international programs and WEllbeing Foundation for on-line mental health resources in Canada.
 

WE Charity Foundation

WE Charity Foundation received $10 million for an endowment. This is less than management’s earlier estimate of $20 – $25 million. #_ftn1″ name=”_ftnref1 [1] The plan is that WE Charity Foundation will invest this money with professional managers to produce annual income. This investment income will support international programs in Kenya, Ecuador and in other countries. These international programs need an estimated $1-$1.5 million in annual funds. #_ftn2″ name=”_ftnref2 [2]
WE Charity reports that most of its international projects are complete. Other incomplete international programs have been transferred to WE Charity Foundation and WE Charity US.
Learn more about https://www.charityintelligence.ca/research-and-news/ci-views/43-charity-news/710-we-charity-foundation WE Charity Foundation’s NEW directors and senior management. 
 

WEllbeing Foundation

WE Charity’s domestic programs have been transferred to WEllbeing Foundation. WEllbeing Foundation became a Canadian registered charity in 2018. Leysa Creswell Kielburger, WE Charity’s co-founder Craig Kielburger’s wife, is WEllbeing Foundation’s co-founder. It has two full-time and nine part-time staff. Its purpose is to provide teachers with classroom tools to promote mental health awareness. The WEll-being Playbook’s co-authors are  https://www.we.org/en-US/get-doing/activities-and-resources/wellbeing/we-well-being-playbook-and-resources/ Leysa Cerswell Kielburger, and Susan Allen.
WEllbeing Foundation previously owned one Toronto property.  With the transfer of another building, it now owns $8.0 million in Toronto real estate. WEllbeing Foundation has a December year end. We will learn more about this new Canadian charity shortly when its 2021 filing is posted.
 
For more information on WE Charity read https://www.charityintelligence.ca/charity-details/82-we-charity Charity Intelligence’s charity profile updated June 2022
 
Our analysis uses only public records.
Sources:
WE Charity Canada’s https://www.charityintelligence.ca/media/audit_pdfs/WE%20audited%20financials%202021.pdf 2021 audited financial statements
https://staticsb.we.org/f/52095/x/b41d247499/dr-al-rosen-we-charity.pdf Rosen Report, October 27, 2020
CTV News https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teI_WQQYJ8A&ab_channel=CTVNews WE Winding Down Canadian Operations, Lisa LaFlamme interview with Evan Solomon, September 9, 2020
CTV News https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_p5PRLy2os&ab_channel=CTVNews Lisa LaFlamme’s full interview with the Kielburger brothers, September 9, 2020
https://apps.cra-arc.gc.ca/ebci/hacc/srch/pub/dsplyRprtngPrd?q.srchNmFltr=WE+Charity+Foundation&q.stts=0007&selectedCharityBn=773125687RR0001&dsrdPg=1 WE Charity Foundation’s annual filings with CRA Charities Directorate
https://apps.cra-arc.gc.ca/ebci/hacc/srch/pub/dsplyRprtngPrd?q.srchNmFltr=wellbeing+foundation&q.stts=0007&selectedCharityBn=772777512RR0001&dsrdPg=1 WEllbeing Foundation’s annual filings with CRA Charities Directorate
 
Further explanation of the $5.3 million real estate write-down: WE Charity’s real estate was reported in its financial statements with a carrying value (book value) of $40.9 million. It gave one property worth $4.9 million to WEllbeing Foundation. The other Toronto properties sold in August 2021 for $29.2 million. As this actual sale price is less than the carrying value, there is a write-down of $5.3 million. WE Charity explains that this write-down is due to the highly customized, donated audio/video equipment in these buildings which reduced its resale value.
#_ftnref1″ name=”_ftn1 [1] Rosen Report, October 2020 p. 10
#_ftnref2″ name=”_ftn2 [2] Rosen Report, October 2020 p. 9
 
Charity Intelligence’s report on the  https://www.charityintelligence.ca/research-and-news/ci-views/43-charity-news/685-fact-check-rosen-report-on-we-charity Rosen Report, March 1, 2021
 
If you find Charity Intelligence’s research useful in your giving, please consider https://www.charityintelligence.ca/donate donating to support our work. Being funded by donors like you maintains our independence to help Canadians be informed in their giving. Canadians donate over $17 billion each year. This giving could achieve tremendous results. We hope Charity Intelligence’s research helps Canadians give better.
Legal disclaimer: The information in this report was prepared by Charity Intelligence Canada and its independent analysts from publicly available information. Charity Intelligence and its analysts have made endeavours to ensure that the data in this report is accurate and complete, but accepts no liability.
The views and opinions expressed are to inform donors on matters of public interest. Views and opinions are not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, organization, individual, or anyone or anything. Any dispute arising from your use of this website or viewing this material hereon shall be governed by the laws of the Province of Ontario, without regard to any conflict of law provisions.
 

A growing niche of donors each year is looking for terrific charities to support, particularly those that have measurable, proven, and high impact.
Most charities claim that they “make a difference” in the lives of those they work with. Charity Intelligence’s rigorous analysis measures the difference, or the impact, charities actually make to see how each dollar we give can create the most positive change.
Over $18 billion was given to charities by Canadian donors last year and a significant portion of that is going to less effective charities. Based on our work, up to 40 per cent of donations may be wasted by donors giving based solely on the reputation of the charity or by getting distracted by salaries or administrative costs.
“Some charities create a lot of change with the donations given to them. Others have almost nothing to show for the money coming from donors” says Greg Thomson, Director of Research at Charity Intelligence. “Of the 300 Canadian charities we analysed for impact, these Top 10 have the highest measurable demonstrated impact. Our calculations estimate this group of Top 10 Impact Charities delivers average returns of almost 7 dollars for every dollar donated, compared with overall average returns of only 1-2 dollars.”
The 2022 Top 10 Impact Charities cover frontline charities providing social services in Canada as well as international programs. Many of these charities bring evidence-based programs to developing countries, like clean water and education, which can produce high impact per dollar. Because of this, six of this year’s Top 10 Impact Charities work overseas in developing countries.
 
text-align: left; 2022 Top 10 Impact Charities based on demonstrated impact per dollar donated (listed alphabetically): 

For more information on these charities, please view our  images/2020/Top-10-All-2020.pdf Top 10 Impact Charities Summary.
To meet Canadian donors’ growing demand for impact charities, Ci also released 6 additional lists of charities with top impact:

• index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=674&catid=37 Top 10 Canadian Impact Charities, charities with high-impact programs in Canada
• index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=675&catid=37 Top 10 International Impact Charities, Canadian charities with high-impact programs operating overseas
• Top 10 Impact: Canadian Food Banks, Canadian food banks creating high impact
• index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=676&catid=37 Top 5 Impact: Canadian Youth Charities, charities creating high-impact results for youth in Canada
• index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=677&catid=37 Top 5 Impact: Calgary Charities
• index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=679&catid=37 Top 5 Impact: Toronto Charities

These Top Impact Charities are a breed apart from the over 800 Canadian charities we report on and rate. Charity Intelligence’s star ratings are based on an assessment of 5 objective aspects: 1. donor reporting, 2. financial transparency, 3. funding need, 4. cents to the cause, and 5. demonstrated impact. The 5-Star rated charities based on these metrics are listed in the https://www.charityintelligence.ca/charity-profiles/top-100-rated-charities-2 2021 100 Highest Rated Charities report.
The demonstrated impact rating is different and looks at only one aspect: for every dollar you donate, what’s the measurable return?
Rather than just heart-warming stories, impact donors feel good about proven results, data quality, and strong counterfactuals. Recently a charity asked, “wouldn’t you agree that making a child smile is priceless?” Our answer is “no”. Impact donors always consider opportunity costs. Money is a scarce resource. If comparing two charities where one charity saves lives for $100,000 each and a second charity saves lives for $20,000 each, impact donors will support the second charity that creates 5 times the impact per dollar. Five lives saved compared with one life saved for the same donation. Impact donors give for the highest change created from their donations.
Some call Charity Intelligence a “charity watchdog”. We see ourselves as research analysts who help Canadian donors give better. Yes, we hold charities to account for the generous support they receive from Canadian donors and expect them to be financially transparent, and yes, we call out exorbitant overhead costs or charities that don’t need more funding. Similarly, each giving season we also call out the best impact charities we’ve found. Charity Intelligence’s reports are independent and objective – charities do not pay for ratings or listing on our website.
Charity Intelligence’s reports and ratings help Canadians give confidently. With greater confidence, people say they gave 32% more money. 
Charity Intelligence’s impact analysis began in 2006 and is an ongoing research project that is generously funded by donors. Our goal is to expand impact analysis to 400 Canadian charities by 2023.
For more information on our impact assessment please view our  social-impact-ratings Social Impact Ratings Methodology or contact Greg Thomson at  mailto:gthomson@charityintelligence.ca gthomson@charityintelligence.ca.
 
 Being entirely funded by donors like you maintains our independence and objectivity to help Canadians be informed in their giving. Canadians donate over $17 billion each year. This giving could achieve tremendous results. We hope Charity Intelligence’s research helps Canadians give better.
 
Legal disclaimer:
The information in this report was prepared by Charity Intelligence Canada and its independent analysts from publicly available information. Charity Intelligence and its analysts have made endeavours to ensure that the data in this report is accurate and complete but accepts no liability.
The views and opinions expressed are to inform donors on matters of public interest. Views and opinions are not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, organization, individual, or anyone or anything. Any dispute arising from your use of this website or viewing the material hereon shall be governed by the laws of the Province of Ontario, without regard to any conflict of law provisions.
“Every investment is an impact investment. The problem is most people don’t know if their investment has positive or negative impact.”