March of Dimes Canada is a 3-star rated charity. It has an average results reporting grade, Average demonstrated impact, and is financially transparent. However, it has high fundraising costs.

Founded in 1949, March of Dimes Canada (MODC) runs programs to empower people with disabilities. The charity works to remove physical, social, and mobility barriers faced by people with disabilities. It states that 25% of youth and 50% of parents feel discouraged by society excluding people with disabilities. The charity runs four main programs, listed below. MODC spent $148.9m on its programs in its fiscal year ending March 2024 (F2024).

The Financial Security program helps people with disabilities improve their financial wellbeing through advocacy and employment services. MODC reports that 28% of Canadians with severe disabilities live below the poverty line. The charity supported 11,775 people through its Employment Services program in F2024. It also made 53 mentorship matches and hosted 29 networking events. MODC reports that over 100 people in its Disability Advocacy Network learned self-advocacy skills.

The Independence program helps people with disabilities and seniors maintain their independence. 68% of people MODC surveyed reported their disability had a significant negative effect on completing day-to-day activities. MODC reports its frontline staff assisted 4,457 seniors and people with disabilities in F2024. The charity’s Assistive Devices Program provided 682 people in Ontario with assistive devices. The charity delivered 1,597,703 service hours through its Community Support Services program in F2024.

The Connected Lives program helps people with disabilities access the support they need to live healthy lives. This includes the After Stroke program, which helps stroke survivors and their families move forward after a stroke. MODC reports that 89,000 people have strokes in Canada each year. The charity reports it helped 5,083 people through its After Stroke program in F2024. It also supported 1,272 people with its National Support Stroke Line.

The Best Start program helps children with disabilities reach their full potential. 88% of people with disabilities MODC surveyed reported social barriers and isolation as key issues. The HIVE program helps people reduce isolation and connect with others. The HIVE program supported 91 people in F2024. The LIFE program helps people build their self-esteem and connect with others they relate to. MODC reports that 102 people learned new skills in the LIFE program in F2024.

March of Dimes Canada’s audited financial statements follow activity-based costing, a best practice. Its expenses are clearly defined between program, administrative, and fundraising categories.

In F2024 MODC received $8.5m in donations. It also received $120.9m in government funding, which is 71% of total revenue. The charity received $37.2m in fees for service, which is 22% of total revenue.

Administrative costs are 8% of revenues (excluding investment income). Fundraising costs are 41% of donations. This results in total overhead spending of 49%. For every dollar donated, 51 cents are available to go to the cause. This falls outside Ci’s reasonable range for overhead spending.

In F2024 MODC spent $148.9m on its programs, which is 89% of its revenue. In F2024 it had a surplus of $3.0m.

MODC has $35.9m in reserve funds (cash and investments). The reserves can cover 24%, or just under three months of program costs.

MODC changed auditors from Deloitte to KPMG in F2024.

MODC controls another charity, March of Dimes Canada Non-Profit Housing Corporation (NPHC). Charity Intelligence has not consolidated NPHC’s financial statements with MODC.

This charity report is an update that has been sent for review to March of Dimes Canada. Changes and edits may be forthcoming. 

Updated on July 15, 2025, by Grady Simpson.