Arthritis Society Canada is a 3-star charity that is financially transparent. It has an A- results reporting grade, which is above average. Its reserve funds could cover annual program costs for just under two months, which is within Ci’s reasonable range. Its overhead spending is outside of Ci’s reasonable range.

Founded in 1948, Arthritis Society Canada (ASC) funds arthritis research, advocates for policy change, and provides support to improve health among those infected with arthritis. Arthritis is a collection of conditions affecting joints and other tissues. It causes pain, restricts mobility, and diminishes quality of life. Arthritis Society Canada reports that one in five Canadians live with arthritis. There is currently no cure. The charity runs four main programs: Research, Innovation, Advocacy, and Information and Support. In the fiscal year ending March 2025 (F2025), ASC spent $19.1m on its programs. Research represented 37% of program spending and the remaining 63% went to Innovation, Advocacy, and Information and Support.

Research: ASC’s Research focuses on pain relief, osteoarthritis (most common form of arthritis) and inflammatory arthritis. In F2025, ASC had 113 active research projects which included 64 grants, 38 training awards, 10 career developments, and one team grant. These research projects supported 345 researchers: 114 lead researchers, 111 additional trainees, and 120 qualified research personnel.

Innovation: The Innovation program funds social impact projects to uncover ideas to help people living with arthritis. In F2025, ASC reported committing $599,450 to six new Ignite Research Grants. Its Newborn Arthritis Prevention Screening (NAPS) project performed more than 2,000 scans on 1,800 infants.

Advocacy: ASC advocates on behalf of Canadians affected by arthritis to drive policy and raise awareness. In F2025, ASC completed 8,558 advocacy actions, engaged with 73 political and policy representatives, submitted eight pre-budget recommendations, and participated in eight government consultations.

Information and Support: ASC provides evidence-based information, resources, and online tools for people affected by arthritis. In F2025, the charity delivered 5,635 public service announcements to raise awareness. Its website had 1,696,965 visitors, and its newsletter had 126,869 subscribers. Arthritis Talks reached 65,322 people. ASC also operates six camps across Canada for children with arthritis, serving 328 campers in F2025.

Arthritis Society Canada received $20.1m in donations in F2025, which is 68% of total revenue. It also received $5.9m in government funding, representing 20% of total revenue.

In F2025, ASC spent 19.1m on programs and grants, accounting for 65% of total revenue. The charity ran a deficit of $3.1m which was more than offset by the sale of property of $5.1m.

Fundraising costs were $9.8m, which is 49% of donations, and administrative costs were $3.8m, which is 13% of revenue (excluding investment income). Total overhead spending was 62%, meaning that for every dollar donated, 38 cents are available to go to the cause. This is outside of Ci’s reasonable range, which suggests 65-95 cents per dollar. The charity has been outside the reasonable range since 2013. 

At the end of F2025, ASC had $5.4m in reserve funds (cash and investments), including $2.4m of donor-endowed funds. Excluding donor-endowed funds, its reserves could cover annual program costs for just under two months, which is within Ci’s reasonable range.

ASC uses external fundraisers. In F2025, ASC paid $718k to external fundraisers to raise $1.3m, meaning the cost to raise a dollar via external fundraisers is 57 cents. It is likely more efficient to donate directly to the charity.

Comments and corrections may be forthcoming. Profile updated on July 20, 2026 by Ava Anderson.