SeedChange is a 3-star charity. It has below average disclosure with a B results reporting grade. It holds reserves within Ci’s reasonable range. For every dollar donated to the charity, 58 cents are available to go to the cause. This is outside of Ci's reasonable range.

Founded in 1945, SeedChange (formerly USC Canada) runs programs to help small scale farmers save seeds, conserve soil quality, grow diverse crops, and adopt sustainable farming practices. The charity also connects farmers to exchange knowledge, and advocates for farmers' rights to save and market their seeds and produce. SeedChange works with over 35,000 farmers across Canada and in countries across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. It operates across 415 communities and supports 60 community seed banks.

95% of the world's farms are small scale. Yet industrial agriculture has caused a 75% loss of crop diversity in the last century. Today, 820 million people do not have enough food to eat, and 3.9 billion suffer from malnutrition.

SeedChange divides its programs into two groups: international and domestic.

SeedChange's international program is its largest, accounting for $3.8m or 84% of total program spending in F2025. This share has grown significantly, up from 68% in F2024 and 55% in F2023. SeedChange worked with 13 partner organizations across seven countries, reaching over 25,000 farmers in 148 communities. Ci notes that while SeedChange reports working in seven countries, its individual programs collectively span a much larger number. Programs include: the Rural Women Cultivating Change (RWCC) project, a six year, $14.8 million initiative funded by Global Affairs Canada supporting women's empowerment and climate resilient farming in East Africa; ongoing work using Seeds of Survival (SoS) methods to support community seed banks and farmer led plant breeding in Honduras, Bolivia, Cuba, Mali, and Timor-Leste; and Participatory Seed Security Assessment and Action Plans (SSAAP) to strengthen seed security in Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Togo, Guinea-Bissau, Senegal, and Burkina Faso.

SeedChange's domestic program accounts for $760k or 16% of total program spending in F2025. Its main domestic program, the Bauta Family Initiative on Canadian Seed Security, works with farmers, researchers, and partners across Canada to protect seed diversity and support climate resilient farming. In F2025, the program engaged approximately 200 farmers in on farm research projects and reached over 2,000 through training and knowledge sharing events.

SeedChange and its foundation have been consolidated in this financial report.

In F2025, SeedChange earned $5.7m in revenue. It received $2.1m in donations (36% of total revenue) and $3.1m in government funding from Global Affairs Canada (54% of total revenue). Ci notes a discrepancy between SeedChange's T3010 reported government funding of $2.7m in F2023 and the $2.3m reflected in their audited financial statements.

Administrative costs are 23% of revenue (excluding investment income). Fundraising costs are 19% of donations. This results in total overhead spending of 42%. For every dollar donated, 58 cents go to the cause. This is outside Ci’s reasonable range.

In F2025, the charity had an operating deficit of $483k. This brought its reserve funds (cash and investments) to $7.1m, including $734k in donor-endowed funds. Excluding donor-endowed funds, these reserves cover 138%, or just under one year and five months of its annual program spending.

This charity update has been sent to SeedChange for review. Changes and edits may be forthcoming. Updated by Nick Reszetnik on June 5, 2026.