GFA World is a 1-star charity with Low demonstrated impact. It has below average disclosure with a C results reporting grade. The charity is not financially transparent. For every dollar donated to GFA World, 84 cents are available to go to the cause. Before you give, read Charity Intelligence's report.

Founded in 1984, GFA World (GFA) is the Canadian branch of Gospel for Asia, an international Christian relief and evangelism charity. GFA works to spread the message of Christ in Asia and Africa. It trains local missionaries and funds programs in health, education, and poverty relief across 18 countries.

The charity reports that more than 3 billion people have never heard the Christian gospel and that more than 1 billion people live in slums. GFA reports that roughly 1 billion children lack basic necessities and are twice as likely to die in childhood, and that more than 1 million children are sold into slavery each year.

Donor Advisory: 

In July 2020, GFA filed for creditor protection. Auditors PricewaterhouseCoopers will monitor the charity's finances and operations. An Ontario judge allowed GFA to continue to fundraise and accept donations, but it cannot send donations to other countries without audit approval. GFA World may receive 20% of donations held in trust for its general operations and fundraising costs. 

In February 2020, Canadian donors launched a $170 million class-action legal case against GFA World Canada alleging it breached its duty of care and fiduciary duty to donors, conspired to defraud donors and misrepresented the nature of how donations would be spent. It was found in a 2019 US lawsuit against Gospel for Asia that Gospel for Asia (US) received US$20 million from Canadian donors that did not go to India or other development work. Rather it was spent on its Texas headquarters. To learn more about this case's details, click here. 

In March 2019, a US court ordered that Gospel for Asia USA pay a US$37 million refund to donors for misrepresenting how donations were spent. In October 2017, the Indian government forbid Gospel for Asia funds transfers to India. CBC investigated Gospel for Asia Canada and US, talking with former members. 

In March 2016, the Toronto Star reported that Gospel for Asia Canada was the defendant in a fraud lawsuit. The lawsuit alleged that between 2007 and 2014, $94 million was sent from Gospel for Asia Canada to India. Yet, Gospel for Asia’s Indian affiliates have no record of receiving funds from Canada during that period. Gospel for Asia Canada denies the allegations. 

Additionally, on October 6, 2015, Gospel for Asia US had its membership revoked for standards breaches in the US organization, the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA). Christian Today Article.

Times of India India Ministry of Home Affairs banned all overseas funds from Gospel for Asia organizations in 2017.

GFA runs three core programs: National Missionaries, Community Transformations, and Child Sponsorship. Ci estimates the charity spent $7.0m on programs in the fiscal year ending December 2024. GFA does not disclose how this spending was allocated across the three programs.

National Missionaries trains and supports local Christians who serve as missionaries in their communities, sharing the Christian gospel and establishing local churches. GFA reports that 525 Sisters of the Cross, women trained to serve in poor and isolated communities, graduated in 2024. In Rwanda, GFA reports its church in Kigali now draws 300 attendees, and that 2,800 children attended "Vacation Bible School" programs (short summer Bible programs for children) in the northern and western provinces in 2024.

Community Transformations meets immediate material needs and helps families earn a living, through sewing machines, income producing animals and literacy classes. GFA reports the program reaches more than 100,000 families each year. It also runs free medical camps, and reports it held camps in four communities in Rwanda in 2024, serving several hundred people.

Child Sponsorship provides education, meals and academic support to children from poor families. GFA reports it opened 24 new sponsorship projects in 2024 and enrolled several thousand new children. In Rwanda, enrolment grew from 500 children in 2023 to more than 3,000 across 10 locations. GFA reports it has supported more than 142,000 children since the program began in 2004.

Charity Intelligence has scored GFA zero on financial transparency. The charity does not publish its financial statements on its website and did not provide them on request. Ci's 2024 financial analysis uses the most recent statements available through Corporations Canada.

GFA uses line item costing, meaning it does not clearly distinguish between program, administrative and fundraising costs. This is not a best practice. Ci has used the charity's T3010 filings with the CRA to determine these allocations.

In 2024, GFA received $4.8m in donations (nearly 100% of total revenue).

Administrative costs are 9% of revenues (less investment income). Fundraising costs are 7% of donations. Total overhead is 16%. For every dollar donated to GFA, 84 cents are available for programs. This is within Ci's reasonable range.

In 2024, GFA spent $7.0m on programs (148% of revenue). Of this, $6.6m was spent on international programs (94%) and $432k on Canadian programs (6%). It recorded a $3.0m deficit, drawing on its reserve funds. The charity spent $9.4k on capital projects.

GFA has $1.5m in net reserves. This can cover 21%, or roughly two and a half months of annual program costs.

Charity Intelligence has sent this profile update to GFA World for review. Changes and edits may be forthcoming. Updated by Nick Reszetnik on July 22, 2026.