Veterans Transition Network is a top-rated, 5-star charity. It has an A Results Reporting grade, which is above average. For every dollar donated to the charity, 82 cents are available to go to the cause, which is within Ci's reasonable range.

Founded in 2012, Veterans Transition Network (VTN) delivers Canada’s only evidence-based reintegration and recovery program. VTN reports that one-third of Canadian veterans have difficulty transitioning to civilian life. The charity explains that the period after veterans leave service is critical in determining how they will readapt to society. Veterans often struggle with finding jobs, reconnecting with family, and managing symptoms of operational stress injuries, which can lead to substance abuse issues. The charity provides counselling designed especially for veterans to tackle trauma and mental health issues, and ease their transition from soldier to civilian.

A Charity Intelligence 2023 Top 100 Rated Charity

At the time of this Charity Intelligence update, VETS Canada's 2023 audited financial statements were available but its annual report was not. The following results are from VTN’s 2022 annual report.

In 2022, Veterans Transition Network served 160 veterans, including 70 women, through 31 counselling programs. This is the most veterans VTN has served in a year since its inception. The programs are delivered in an in-person, group-based retreat format. The programs help veterans connect to their peers, practice communication skills, and develop productive plans for their future. Whereas the programs used to be ten days long, in 2022, the charity divided this into two five-day courses to provide more flexibility for veterans. The first course focuses on building transitional skills. The second requires the completion of the first and aims to heal traumatic memories through Therapeutic Enactment, a form of exposure therapy. 26 clinicians and over 50 peer supporters help operate these programs. In 2022, the charity offered 7,600 hours of counselling and skills development for veterans. Some program graduates choose to join VTN’s National Peer Support Team (NPST) to continue providing support to Canadian veterans. In 2022, 22 graduates joined the NPST, for a total of 56 peer supporters.

In August 2021, following the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan, Veterans Transition Network began a 30-day fundraising initiative to support the evacuation of Afghani people who helped the Canadian Armed Forces from 2001-2014. The charity worked to relocate these Afghans and their families to places where they could be safely extracted by the Canadian government. This 30-day Afghan Interpreters campaign turned into a complex operation that is still ongoing. The charity spent as much on the Afghan campaign as it did on its counselling programs in 2022, making it a key area of focus. As of December 2022, the charity reports that it supported 1,700 Afghans in safehouses, helped 120 Afghans with vital immigration support, and supported the evacuation of 2,613 Afghans. In May 2022, the charity stopped accepting donations relating to this initiative, explaining that delays in government immigration processing were limiting their ability to use donor funds effectively.

Veterans Transition Network received $2.7m in donations in 2023. The charity also received $2.2m in government revenue, which represents 45% of revenue. The large increase in government funding is from a $2.0m grant from Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada. In 2023, VTN spent $3.8m on its programs, which is 78% of revenue. The charity recorded a surplus of $356k, which is 7% of revenue.

Administrative costs are 12% of revenue (excluding investment income). Fundraising costs are 6% of donations. For every dollar donated to the charity, 82 cents are available to go to the cause, which is within Ci’s reasonable range. Ci’s reasonable range is between 65 and 95 cents.

Veterans Transition Network has $1.2m in reserve funds (cash and investments). The charity’s reserves could cover 31% or four months of its annual program costs. This indicates a need for funding.

This charity report is an update that has been sent to Veterans Transition Network for review. Changes and edits may be forthcoming.

Updated on August 13, 2024 by Liam Chapleau.