CARE Canada is a 2-star charity. It is financially transparent and has an average results reporting grade. However, its overhead costs are outside of Ci's reasonable range and it has Low demonstrated impact.

Founded in 1945, CARE International consists of 14 national divisions, including CARE Canada, based in Ottawa. U.S. President Truman sent the first CARE Package in 1946 as part of relief efforts in the aftermath of World War II. Since then, CARE has worked to save lives, reduce poverty, and promote social justice. CARE Canada states that 1.2 billion people live in extreme poverty and places a strong focus on helping women and girls to overcome poverty.

CARE Canada’s three largest programs are Humanitarian Action; Food, Nutrition, and Resilience to Climate Change; and Women’s Economic Empowerment. CARE Canada worked on 43 projects and initiatives in 30 countries in F2021.

Humanitarian Action represented 60% of program costs in F2021. In response to the explosions in Beirut, Lebanon, CARE Canada supported 7,565 individuals. It also provided cash to 249 households for protection assistance. This reached 156 business owners and employees, impacting 54 businesses.

Food, Nutrition, and Resilience to Climate Change projects were 18% of program costs. The Southern African Nutrition Initiative (SANI) works to help address undernutrition in Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia. The project supported 82,062 individuals in F2021.

Women’s Economic Empowerment made up 14% of program costs. CARE Canada helps to create Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) of around 20 women each to encourage saving and financial independence. CARE Canada also runs programs to train women entrepreneurs in starting their own businesses. In West Bank and Gaza, CARE Canada’s OBADER program helped train participants on how to overcome market barriers. It also trained entrepreneurs on environmentally friendly business practices. The program supported 80,993 individuals in F2021. In Morocco, the WESE program helps women with small businesses. It supported 1,107 individuals in F2021. The VSLA in Morocco had 803 new members.

The remaining 8% of program costs included Sexual, Reproductive, and Maternal Health (5%); Other Programs (3%); and A Life Free from Violence (less than 1%). CARE Canada helped support 51,501 individuals in Northeast Nigeria receive access to Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights and Gender-Based Violence services over two years (F2020-21).

In 2021, CARE Canada transferred oversight of country offices in Zambia, Zimbabwe, Kenya, and CHAD to another CARE International member. CARE Canada transferred revenues and expenses from discontinued operations to other CARE International members. Revenues transferred were $37.3m in F2021 and $49.3m in F2020. Expenses transferred were $37.8m in F2021 and $50.7m in F2020. Values for F2020 have been restated.

CARE Canada received $5.4m in Canadian donations and $1.0m in international donations in F2021. CARE Canada received $37.3m in government funding which is 83% of total revenues in F2021. Administrative costs are 23% of revenues (less investment income) and fundraising costs are 22% of donations. This results in total overhead spending of 45%. For every dollar donated, 55 cents go to the cause. This is outside of Ci’s reasonable range for overheads spending. CARE Canada’s net funding reserves of $29.9m can cover program costs at the F2021 level for nearly one year.

CARE Canada used external fundraisers in F2020. The charity spent $447k to raise $153k from external fundraisers, at a cost of $2.92 per dollar raised.

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

Updated on July 15, 2022 by Emily Downing.