The 519 is a 3-star charity. It is financially transparent but has overhead spending outside of Ci’s reasonable range and a below-average results reporting grade.

Founded in 1975, The 519, formerly known as The 519 Church Street Community Centre, is a community centre and a City of Toronto multi-service agency that commits to the health, happiness and inclusion of the 2SLGBTQ+ communities. According to the charity, 64% of police-reported hate crimes in Canada in 2021 were based on sexual orientation, and 77% of trans respondents have experienced severe online harassment, including physical threats, stalking, sexual harassment, doxing, and swatting. The 519 strives to promote understanding and respect towards the communities and provides services to 2SLGBTQ+ individuals to reduce the impact of discrimination on their lives. It does not provide a breakdown of spending among its programs and services.

The 519 offers many different services to the 2SLGBTQ+ communities, including health, financial, drop-in, housing, and legal services. In F2022, the charity distributed 16,099 harm reduction and safer sex kits and administered 559 covid-19 vaccines, 142 flu vaccines, and 2,626 MPox vaccines. During the same year, the financial service team helped 1,857 clients get back more than $4.0m in tax refunds. For Drop-in services, The 519 served 224,025 meals in F2022 and provided 46 Sunday Drop-in workshops and sessions for people to socialize and get resources. The charity also collaborates with Homes First to operate a shelter dedicated to 2SLGBTQ+ adults. It housed 17 people in F2022. For its legal services, it provided 24 public legal education sessions and 22 training events to build awareness of law, democracy and rights for the 2SLGBTQ+ communities.

Along with services, The 519 organizes art, culture and recreational opportunities for its clients. In F2022, it hosted more than 70 events from Arts in the Park to Zumba classes in Barbara Hall Park for more than 3,000 participants. In F2022, The 519 Education and Training team provided more than 100 organizations with insights, tools and understanding to create environments that are 2SLGBTQ+ inclusive, respectful and welcoming.

In F2022, The 519 received donations of $3.7m. The charity also received $4.8m in government funding in F2022, representing 55% of total revenues. Administrative costs are 22% of revenues (less investment income), and fundraising costs are 31% of donations. This results in overhead spending of 53%. For every dollar donated, 47 cents go to the cause. This is outside of Ci’s reasonable range for overhead spending.

The 519 has $3.1m in reserve funds. The charity could cover 56% or around seven months of its annual program costs with its reserves.

Charity Intelligence has sent this update to The 519 for review. Changes and edits may be forthcoming.

Updated on July 5, 2023 by Krystie Nguyen.