Canadian Bible Society
STAR RATINGCi's Star Rating is calculated based on the following independent metrics: |
✔+
FINANCIAL TRANSPARENCY
Audited financial statements for current and previous years available on the charity’s website.
A-
RESULTS REPORTING
Grade based on the charity's public reporting of the work it does and the results it achieves.
n/r
DEMONSTRATED IMPACT
The demonstrated impact per dollar Ci calculates from available program information.
NEED FOR FUNDING
Charity's cash and investments (funding reserves) relative to how much it spends on programs in most recent year.
71%
CENTS TO THE CAUSE
For a dollar donated, after overhead costs of fundraising and admin/management (excluding surplus) 71 cents are available for programs.
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OVERVIEW
About Canadian Bible Society:
Canadian Bible Society is a 4-star charity with an A- results reporting score, which is above average. Its overhead costs are within Ci’s reasonable range, and the charity’s reserve funds could cover its program costs for just over two years and 11 months. This is just within Ci’s reasonable range.
Founded in 1904, Canadian Bible Society (CBS) translates, publishes, and distributes Bibles in Canada and around the world. It also delivers programs that encourage people to engage with the Bible. CBS is one of 150 national Bible societies that make up the United Bible Societies, a global network operating in more than 240 countries and territories. The charity runs four main programs: Distribution, Engagement, Translation, and Publication. In the fiscal year ending June 2025 (F2025), CBS spent $14.1m on its programs.
Engagement represented 48% of program spending in F2025. CBS provides counselling and support to individuals in need, as well as community events such as conferences and study groups that encourage people to engage with the Bible. In F2025, the charity reported that it facilitated over 24 events for youths, reaching 39,435 young people. In Ghana, its counselling and education on abuse, peer pressure and teenage pregnancy reached 8,500 girls. For its diaspora churches in Canada, CBS held four intergenerational seminars and two preaching seminars, reaching 295 participants. It also trained 128 people in Canada and 128 people internationally in Bible-based trauma healing.
Distribution represented 37% of program spending in F2025. CBS distributes bibles in Canada and internationally. In F2025, this program reached 4,150,725 people through 17 projects. CBS distributed 555,260 Bibles, Testaments, and Scripture portions in Canada. Internationally, it distributed Scripture materials in several regions, including providing 150,000 Bibles and New Testaments in Ukraine and 250,000 printed Scripture copies in the Middle East.
Translation represented 14% of program spending in F2025. During the year, CBS distributed Bibles in 71 languages across Canada and supported 22 translation projects covering 105 languages worldwide. This included the Bible Society of Guatemala launching its first sign language translation with the Gospel of Mark, and the Bible Society of Nicaragua developing a sign language dictionary and completing drafts of 14 Gospel of Mark stories.
Publication represented 1% of program spending in F2025. The program produces the Bible in a variety of formats such as on paper, audio, video, and braille.
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Results and Impact
CBS’s Inspire Our Nation Conference resulted in 719 young people making commitments to Christ. In Haiti, where CBS reports that 37% of the population is illiterate, it showed 50 screenings of a Jesus film that lead to 170 new believers.
This may not be a complete representation of the charity’s results and impact.
Canadian Bible Society is not yet rated on impact (n/r). This does not affect the star rating.
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Finances
Canadian Bible Society’s audited financial statements follow activity-based costing, a financial reporting best practice.
In F2025, the charity received $11.7m in Canadian donations and $1.3m in international donations, totalling 63% of its revenue. It also received $5.0m in investment income (24% of revenue) and $2.5m in fees for service (12% of revenue).
CBS spent $14.1m on its programs in F2025, which is 68% of revenue. The charity ran a surplus of $2.6m (13% of revenue).
Fundraising costs were $1.7m (15% of donations) and administrative costs were $2.2m (14% of revenue excluding investment income). Total overhead was 29%, meaning that for every dollar donated, 71 cents are available to go to the cause. This is within Ci’s reasonable range.
CBS has $43.2m in reserve funds (cash and investments), including $2.1m in donor-endowed funds. Excluding donor-endowed funds, CBS’s reserves could cover its annual program costs for slightly over two years and 11 months. This is just within Ci’s reasonable range.
CBS paid external fundraisers $472k to raise $3.1m in F2025. The cost of raising a dollar from external fundraisers was 15 cents.
This update has been sent to the charity and changes may be forthcoming.
Updated on July 11, 2026 by Ava Anderson.
Financial Review
Fiscal year ending June
|
2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Administrative costs as % of revenues | 14.0% | 13.1% | 16.3% |
| Fundraising costs as % of donations | 14.6% | 12.6% | 9.7% |
| Total overhead spending | 28.6% | 25.7% | 26.0% |
| Program cost coverage (%) | 294.1% | 298.5% | 391.0% |
Summary Financial StatementsAll figures in $000s |
2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Donations | 11,662 | 11,090 | 11,240 |
| International donations | 1,290 | 30 | 192 |
| Goods in kind | 65 | 1,275 | 220 |
| Fees for service | 2,493 | 2,365 | 1,902 |
| Business activities (net) | 38 | 39 | 89 |
| Investment income | 5,018 | 3,494 | 709 |
| Total revenues | 20,566 | 18,293 | 14,352 |
| Program costs - International | 3,333 | 4,175 | 2,252 |
| Program costs - Canada | 10,721 | 8,569 | 7,241 |
| Administrative costs | 2,171 | 1,939 | 2,222 |
| Fundraising costs | 1,702 | 1,400 | 1,088 |
| Total spending | 17,927 | 16,083 | 12,803 |
| Cash flow from operations | 2,639 | 2,210 | 1,549 |
| Capital spending | 79 | 214 | 287 |
| Funding reserves | 43,171 | 39,872 | 38,040 |
Note: Ci adjusted for deferred donations which affected donations by $436k in F2025, $503k in F2024, and $176k in F2023. 2. Ci included unrealized gain (loss) on investments. This affected revenue by $2.9m in F2025, $1.5m in F2024, and ($615k) in F2023. 3. Ci used the T3010 from the charity's CRA filings to separate international donations from Canadian donations. This affected Canadian donations by ($1.3m) in F2025, ($30k) in F2024, and ($192k) in F2023. 4. Ci used the T3010 to remove donated goods from Canadian donations. This affected Canadian donations by ($65k) in F2025, ($1.3m) in F2024, and ($220k) in F2023. 5. Ci included endowment contributions which affected donations by $1k in F2023.
Salary Information
$350k + |
0 |
$300k - $350k |
0 |
$250k - $300k |
0 |
$200k - $250k |
0 |
$160k - $200k |
3 |
$120k - $160k |
5 |
$80k - $120k |
2 |
$40k - $80k |
0 |
< $40k |
0 |
Information from most recent CRA Charities Directorate filings for F2025
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Comments & Contact
Comments added by the Charity:
HOPE FOR ALL PEOPLE, EVERYWHERE
It takes only a few moments of scanning news headlines to know our world is hurting. Natural disasters, poverty, conflicts, and greed have left deep scars in God’s creation. Trauma, persecution, and marginalization push millions of vulnerable people to the edge of despair. God’s Word offers hope to all people, everywhere, yet many are unable to access the message of the Bible in a language or format they understand.
The world needs more Bibles, in more languages, in more formats!
The Canadian Bible Society champions the Bible as the voice of God and places Scriptures in the hands of those who need it most. Today, thanks to our donors, God’s Word is reaching millions of spiritually hungry people here in Canada and around the world.
THE NEED – “We never have enough Bibles!”
HERE IN CANADA, there is a great need for God’s Word. Refugees, immigrants, and Indigenous peoples seek access to the Scriptures in their heart language. Older Canadians lack access to God’s Word in a language or format they understand. Youth are adrift, their faith at risk. Many are burdened with addictions, deep wounds and trauma that require the healing that only God’s love can bring.
“I have never seen such hunger for the gospel. I cannot keep up with handing out Bibles!” – Colleen Estes, Ojibwe missionary
AROUND THE GLOBE, lives and faith are at risk, and the innocent cry out for justice. Ukraine and parts of the Middle East are in despair. The sexually exploited are desperate for new life. The persecuted church is crying out for help. In regions where the global church is growing, the demand for Scripture far outstrips the supply.
God’s Word contains the hope the world needs, but millions of people cannot access it. 57% of the world’s languages have no complete Bible. 16% have no Scripture at all.
The crisis is even worse for the Blind, Deaf, elderly, and illiterate who have no access to alternative formats of Scripture such as Braille, large print, and audio Bibles.
Before God’s Word finds a home in people’s hearts, it must be placed in their hands. CBS was founded on this principle, and the urgent need for more Bibles, in more languages, in more formats, drives us forward.
Our RESPONSE – In Canada
IN CANADA where 47% of Canadian Christians identify as “spiritually uncertain,” CBS connects people to God’s Word, and the Scriptures are giving hope and comfort to those who need it most. – Cardus Report
GOD’S WORD HEALS TRAUMA AND HELPS OVERCOME LIFE CONTROLLING HABITS:
Caring for the Wounded Heart is a Bible-based trauma healing program. By identifying their pain and bringing their suffering to the Cross of Christ, participants find healing and freedom. “With deepest gratitude, I thank CBS for the amazing gift of this healing workshop. You have given us a view for the future.” - Sr. Fay Trombley
Overcomers is a Bible-based, 12-step recovery and support program. Participants find freedom from life-controlling habits and problems. “Through prayer and active involvement in Overcomers, I learned that Jesus loved me in a way I had never understood. The memory verses helped me overcome my anxiety.” – Bianca, Age 32
GOD’S WORD IN THE HEART LANGUAGE OF CANADIAN COMMUNITIES
CBS collaborations with Indigenous communities for Scripture translation and engagement are helping renew Indigenous language and culture. CBS published the complete Bible in Mohawk in FY 2024 and has also been involved with the revision of the complete Bible in Inuktitut, Inuinnaqtun Scripture portions, and the Inupiaq Old Testament. “Our church is the only place remaining where Inuinnaqtun is used; so this translation project is an important calling.” – Edna Elias, Inuinnaqtun Scripture revision team member
CBS’ translation and distribution in Canada goes beyond Indigenous communities. More than 200 languages are spoken in Canada, and it is the diaspora churches that are fueling church growth in Canada today. CBS provides many of them with Scriptures in their heart languages.
CBS recently helped revise the New Testament and published the Gospels of Luke and John in Punjabi. “This was so needed! We have waited so long!” – Punjabi pastor
GOD’S WORD SUPPORTS VULNERABLE GROUPS:
When life-changing events and experiences leave youth vulnerable, CBS ministry reaches out to them with the hope of God’s Word. Many Canadian youth outreach services and camps use CBS Bibles in their ministries. CBS distributed nearly 14,000 camp Bibles in FY 2024.
In the past year, audio Scripture has expanded its support for Canadians in long-term care facilities. The program grew from offering audio Scriptures in English and French to more than 50 languages, including Cree and Inuktitut.
“My mother’s diminished eyesight makes it impossible for her to read the Bible. With the MegaVoice in Cree, she can now hear the Word of God that she dearly loves. It is a treasured gift reaching deep into her soul and spirit.” – Freddy Coon-Com
Our RESPONSE – Internationally
INTERNATIONALLY, CBS works through the United Bible Societies which operates in more than 240 countries and territories. Collectively, UBS is the world’s largest translator, publisher, and distributor of the Bible. In FY2024, CBS supported 58 projects in 36 countries.
GOD’S WORD BRINGS HOPE TO THE FEARFUL AND PERSECUTED
CBS has been part of a sustained international thrust to support those devastated by war, both in Ukraine and the surrounding countries. Over 700,000 Bibles and Scripture portions have brought the comfort of God’s love to these devastated regions. “We are seeing an unprecedented interest in the Bible. Every day, pastors and priests call to ask for free Scriptures as they reach out to people filled with fear and despair.” – Ukraine Bible Society
Thanks to CBS-supported projects, two persecuted Christian communities
in the *Middle East are finding new strength and hope through the Scriptures. (Names of countries withheld for the safety of Bible Society staff).
“I have been a Christian for seven years, and I can now touch and hold
my own Bible. Thank you for sending God’s Word to me!” – Shaghayegh*
GOD’S WORD FEEDS A CHURCH ON FIRE
The church in China and Cuba is exploding, and church leaders cry out for Bibles.
In China, we have subsidized the cost of and distributed 89 million Bibles in the past 35 years! Our programs support the growing church by teaching followers of Jesus to study God’s Word and strengthen their understanding of God’s truth, helping new Christians resist false teaching. “I have become wiser. God’s Word is a compass for my life and points the way I should go.” – Liu Luomin, China
In Cuba, building on the success of distributing one million Bibles to spiritually hungry believers, CBS continues to provide Bibles to all 60 denominations. God’s Word is reaching more people than ever!
GOD’S WORD GIVES DIGNITY TO THE SEXUALLY EXPLOITED
Human trafficking and sexual exploitation devastate millions of children. The victims often lose hope and desperately need to know there is a loving God who can heal them. Today, Bible Society initiatives – in Ghana, Cameroon, and Guatemala are rescuing victims from the bondage of sexual exploitation, and the Word of God is restoring lives. Rescued children receive Bible-based life skills development, leading to a transformed and healthy life. “I received hope from God’s Word. I was broken, but God spoke and restored me through His Word.” – Faiza, survivor of child prostitution
GOD’S WORD BREAKS THE SILENCE
CBS works through the United Bible Societies, which includes 150 Bible Societies serving more than 240 countries and territories. From Brazil to Bangladesh – 57 language groups, a total of 100 million people, received first translations of Scripture portions or Bibles. New or revised translations were completed in another 25 languages used by over 623 million people.
20 first translations into sign languages were completed for people on five continents, and 2 Braille translations were produced. CBS is supporting multi-year initiatives in Cuba, Bolivia, Russia and Lithuania to translate, produce and distribute Bibles for sign language users and the visually impaired. “Even though I am physically blind, I am glad that I can see Jesus through my Braille Bible.” – Alex Lukwago
These are only a few of the dozens of projects CBS supports. Thanks to our donors, God’s Word is making a difference in Canada and many more regions around the world.
Charity Contact
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Tel: 1-800-465-2425