Cuso International is a 2-star charity with an Average demonstrated impact. The charity has a B- Results Reporting grade, which is below average. Its overhead spending is 65%, outside Ci’s reasonable range, and its reserve funds can cover just under 1 year and 1 month of annual program costs. This is within Ci’s reasonable range.

Founded in 1961, Cuso International (Cuso) aims to reduce poverty and inequality. Cuso works in 16 countries across Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, and North America. The charity reports that 97% of all young workers in developing countries are informally employed and have little to no job protection. It reports that 32 million refugees globally, around half of whom are under the age of 18, lack access to basic rights such as education, health care, and employment. It also states that 85% of the world’s population is already being affected by climate change. 

Cuso has three focus areas: Gender Equality and Social Inclusion, Economic Resilience, and Climate Action. In F2024, Cuso spent $19.1m on its international programs. It did not provide a breakdown of spending by program.

Under Gender Equality and Social Inclusion, Cuso ran Talents Pluriels in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which supports LGBTQ2I youth by creating a safe, inclusive, and gender-responsive environment. In F2024, Cuso reported that it trained 2,562 vulnerable youths in employment and entrepreneurship, resulting in 209 businesses registered by the participants. The charity also ran Women’s Voice in Leadership, which trained 1,405 women in feminist schools and led 319 design campaigns. The charity also ran its SHARE program, which seeks to increase women's access to economic opportunities. As of F2024, the charity reported 64 hours of soft skills training in Cameroon, with over 40 inclusive activities to date since the program’s launch. The TechWomen Factory trained 146 young Cameroonians in technical skills for digital arts, with an employment rate of 68% post-training.

Under Economic Resilience, Cuso ran SCOPE, which supported economic opportunities in Colombia, Peru, and Ecuador. The program trained 23,643 people, strengthened 1,674 micro-enterprises, and linked 14,723 people to employment until its conclusion in March 2024. The charity also ran its SKILLS project, which focuses on supporting Cameroonian refugees through entrepreneurship training in Nigeria. As of F2024, the project trained 7,424 participants and created over 5,000 jobs and 1,977 small enterprises since 2019.

Under Climate Action, Cuso ran training for climate-adapted agriculture, helping 13 women and 14 men learn the skills to safeguard their livelihoods and food security in F2024. In Nigeria, Cuso trained 1,840 participants in sustainable farming practices via its Farmer’s Field School. The charity also ran its CORE project, which provides technical assistance to National Conservation Trusts across the Caribbean to enhance their operations for environmental protection. 

Cuso International’s audited financial statements follow activity-based costing, a best practice. This means that its expenses are clearly defined between program, administration, and fundraising categories.  

Cuso International received $3.4m in Canadian donations and $2.5m in international donations in F2024. It also received $16.2m in government funding from Global Affairs Canada, representing 63% of revenues less investment income in F2024.

Administrative costs are $3.4m in F2024, which is 13% of revenues. Fundraising costs are $1.8m in F2024, which is 52% of donations. This means that the total overhead costs are 65%. For every dollar donated, 35 cents are available to go to the cause. This is outside Ci’s reasonable range of between 65 and 95 cents.

In F2024, the charity recorded a deficit of $1.4m and reported net funding reserves of $20.3m. This reserve can cover 107% or just under 1 year and 1 month of annual program costs. This is within Charity Intelligence’s limit of 300%.

Profile updated by Leah Holmes on June 17, 2025. This charity report is an update that has been sent to the charity for review. Comments and corrections may be forthcoming.