Canadian Down Syndrome Society is a 2-star charity with a below-average results reporting score. The charity is not financially transparent and has overhead costs within Ci's reasonable range.

Founded in 1987, Canadian Down Syndrome Society (CDSS) works to empower Canadians with Down syndrome and their families. CDSS reports that approximately 45,000 Canadians are living with Down syndrome, and one in 781 live births results in a Down syndrome determination. The charity's work primarily involves public education and advocacy. 

In F2023, Canadian Down Syndrome Society distributed over 1,000 21 Welcome Booklets across Canada. These booklets help new parents with children affected by Down syndrome learn more about the condition. The charity launched a new Multilingual Caregiver Networks, offered in over 17 languages, which facilitates peer-to-peer connections in the Down syndrome community. The awareness campaign Here I Am reached 165 million people worldwide. The campaign was focused on raising awareness and improving representation for seniors with Down syndrome. 

In F2023 Canadian Down Syndrome Society received funding from the federal government to create the first Ds Collaborative in Canada. This is a three-year project that encourages collaboration and resource-sharing among organizations to help individuals with Down syndrome. 

Canadian Down Syndrome Society is not financially transparent. Its audited financial statements are not posted on its website nor provided when requested. Charity Intelligence's financial review uses the F2023 audited financial statements. This is the most recent information Ci has received from the Charities Directorate from Ci’s request for information. Charity Intelligence reports external fundraiser and salary information from the charity’s F2023 T3010 filings with the CRA. 

Canadian Down Syndrome Society received donations of $514k in F2023 (down 43% from F2022). The charity also received $323k in government funding (38% of total revenues).

Administrative costs are 12% of revenues (less investment income) and fundraising costs are 15% of donations. This results in total overhead spending of 27%. For every dollar donated, 73 cents are available for programs. This is within Ci’s reasonable range for overhead spending. 

In F2023, CDSS spent $486k on its programs, which is 57% of total revenues. The charity had a surplus of $190k. 

CDSS has reserve funds of $1.0m, of which $62k is donor-endowed funds externally held at the Calgary Foundation. Excluding donor-endowed funds, the charity could cover a little under two years of annual program costs with existing reserves. 

In F2023, Canadian Down Syndrome Society paid external fundraisers $74k. These external fundraisers raised $208k in donations. This means it costs Canadian Down Syndrome Society $0.36 to raise $1 using external fundraisers.   

This charity profile is an update that has been sent to CDSS for review. Changes and edits may be forthcoming. 

Updated on July 31, 2024 by Alessandra Castino.