Pollution Probe Foundation is a 3-star charity. It is financially transparent and has a B- results reporting grade, which is below average. Its overhead spending is 47%, which is not within Ci’s reasonable range. Its reserve funds can cover program costs for nearly five months, which is within Ci’s reasonable range.

Founded in 1969, Pollution Probe Foundation (PPF) aims to find long-term solutions to environmental issues related to energy consumption and water pollution. PPF conducts projects to create a healthier environment and works with governments and organizations to advocate for policy change. The charity reports almost 80% of energy used in residential houses is for space and water heating, and much of that energy is from fossil fuels. It also reports that, each year, 80% of the Great Lakes region’s waste ends up in landfills. This waste has the potential to find its way into the environment.

PPF spent $4.3m on its programs in the fiscal year ending March 2024 (F2024). Its programs are divided into five areas: Circular Economy, Energy, Transportation, Water, and Youth Leadership. The charity did not provide a spending breakdown on its programs.

Circular Economy programs aim to minimize waste, and to find ways to reuse and recycle products and materials. In F2024, PPF conducted a Great Lakes plastic cleanup, where it removed over 60,000 pieces of plastic debris and filtered about 5 billion litres of water. It also engaged over 13,200 people at outreach events and more than 93,000 people in educational campaigns.

Energy programs support the transition to a net-zero energy system through community engagement and policy changes. This is when an energy system produces as much clean energy as it consumes. PPF works with QUEST for most of its Energy programs, another Canadian non-profit working towards a net-zero energy system. In F2024, PPF released two major Energy reports: one assessment of low-carbon energy innovation and one action plan for a reliable Ontario power system.

Transportation programs aim to reduce air pollution from vehicles. In F2024, PPF released one report and two surveys. The report discusses a strategic plan to adopt more electric school buses in Canada. The surveys discuss the electrical vehicle (EV) owner experience and the EV charging industry. PPF runs a CHARGED program which helps expand access to EV charging across Canada. In F2024, its CHARGED program supported the installation of about 650 chargers.

Water programs aim to protect Canada’s water resources, mainly the Great Lakes, through policy changes and collaborative initiatives. In F2024, PPF launched two campaign and video series to inform the public on water pollution. It also continued one project to develop a decision-support tool for the management of local watersheds.

Youth Leadership aims to help young leaders address environmental issues. In F2024, PPF launched one Youth Leadership initiative called “Turning the Tides: Emerging Leaders Against Plastic Pollution.” The initiative aims to give youth knowledge, skills and practical experience to develop solutions to plastic pollution in their communities.

Pollution Probe Foundation’s audited financial statements follow line-item costing, which is not a financial reporting best practice. Given this, Ci referred to its T3010 filing with the CRA Charities Directorate to report program, administrative, and fundraising costs.

PPF received $934k in Canadian donations and special event fundraising in F2024, which is 18% of total revenue. It got $3.3m in government funding, which is 62% of total revenue. It spent $4.3m on its programs in F2024, which is 82% of revenue. PPF recorded a surplus of $155k in F2024.

PPF spent $365k on fundraising costs, which is 39% of donations. It spent $416k on administrative costs, which is 8% of revenue. PPF has total overhead spending of 47%. For every dollar donated to PPF, 53 cents are available to go to the cause. This is not within Ci’s reasonable range of 65-95.

PPF has $1.7m in reserve funds (cash and investments). PPF can cover 39%, or nearly five months of its annual program costs with its reserve funds. This is within Ci’s reasonable range.

This report is an update that has been sent to Pollution Probe Foundation for review. Changes and edits may be forthcoming.

Updated on July 21, 2025, by Leah DeFrancesco.