Ottawa Mission is a 4-star charity with a results reporting grade of B+ which is above average. For every dollar donated, 72 cents are available to go towards the cause. Its reserve funds can cover just over 1 year of annual program costs.  

Founded in 1906 as Union Mission for Men, Ottawa Mission provides food, shelter, harm reduction, and healthcare services through its programs. The charity reported that homelessness in Canada has increased by 20% since 2018. A 2024 report stated that almost 23% of Canadians are now food insecure, representing almost 8.7 million people, which is a significant jump from 6.9 million in 2022. Ottawa Mission runs five programs: Food & Shelter, Client Services, Addiction & Trauma, and Health Services. In fiscal 2024 (year ending April), Ottawa Mission spent $17.7m on its programs. 

In F2024, Food & Shelter was 51% of program spending. In F2024, Ottawa Mission served 1,132,470 meals and handed out 78,125 grocery bags. It sheltered 1,549 individuals in F2024, with a nightly average of 239 individuals across all programs.

In F2024, Client Services was 32% of program spending. Client Services includes employment and educational support, mental health services, and clothing. In F2024, Ottawa Mission ran three full sessions of its Food Services Training Program (FSTP) and had 72 graduates. The charity also reported helping 105 clients with resumes and 43 clients with job searches.

In F2024, Addiction & Trauma was 10% of program spending. In F2024, Ottawa Mission gave out 182 naloxone kits and ran 467 addiction counselling sessions with community clients. 

In F2024, Health Services was 7% of program spending. In F2024, Ottawa Mission had 44 new hospice admissions, 769 outreach patient consults, and 10,167 client encounters with nurse practitioners.

This analysis consolidates Ottawa Mission and Ottawa Mission Foundation’s audited financial statements. Both audited financial statements follow line-item costing, meaning they do not clearly state which expenses relate to program, administrative, and fundraising activities, which is not a best practice.

In F2024, Ottawa Mission received $12.0m in donations, a 9% increase from the $11.1m received in F2023. In F2024, Ottawa Mission also received $5.6m in government funding, which represents 23% of total revenues. Administrative costs are 11% of total revenues (less investment income), and fundraising costs are 18% of total donations. For every dollar donated, 72 cents are available to go towards the cause. 

In F2024, Ottawa Mission spent $17.7m on its programs which is 74% of total revenues. In F2024, Ottawa Mission had $18.4m in its reserve funds. This is enough to cover just over one year of annual program costs.

Profile updated on June 19, 2025 by Abby Stout.