Evergreen is a 4-star rated charity with best practice in financial transparency and average accountability to donors as seen in the B results reporting grade. For every dollar donated to this charity, 70 cents go to the cause. This is within Ci's reasonable range for overhead spending. 

Founded in 1991, Evergreen is an urban environmental charity that aims to create community spaces with environmental, social, and economic benefits. It envisions a world of sustainable cities that connect people with nature. Currently with 15 active projects, Evergreen works with governments, corporate partners, and local groups to improve urban areas. 

Evergreen offers two main programs: Evergreen Brick Works and National programs.

National programs made up 59% of program costs in F2021. Evergreen runs various programs across Canada to promote healthy and dynamic urban spaces. In F2021, the charity diverted 25.09 tonnes of waste from landfills thanks to recycling and composting initiatives. The Gateway Bike Hub program engaged 1,756 participants and repaired 1,579 bikes to further reduce waste. Additionally, Evergreen formed 50 partnerships with Indigenous communities and supported an additional 179 communities across Canada in navigating smart city landscapes. The charity also held a virtual summit which saw 2,673 community leaders from 11 countries and 107 speakers.  

Evergreen Brick Works made up the remaining 41% of program costs in F2021. In 2010, the charity opened Evergreen Brick Works as Canada’s first large-scale community environmental centre. Located in Toronto, the public venue offers events that teach visitors how to live and work with more sustainability in mind. Evergreen Brick Works also hosts several social enterprises, each devoted to sustainable and ethical business practices. In F2021, 11 art installations, exhibits and performances were held at Brick Works. The charity also held virtual nature-based programs that saw 3,380 children and youth as well as farmers markets that saw 94,936 people.

Evergreen’s audited financial statements do not break out government funding and investment income from donations and fees for service. Ci reported revenues from the charity’s T3010 filings with the CRA. 

Evergreen reported donations of $5.2m in F2021. It received $7.6m in government fees, representing 46% of total revenues. Administrative costs are 13% of revenues (less investment income) and fundraising costs are 17% of donations. This results in total overhead spending of 30%. For every dollar donated to the charity, 70 cents go to the cause. This falls within Ci’s reasonable range for overhead spending.

Evergreen has funding reserves of $4.2m, resulting in a program cost coverage ratio of 41%. This means that the charity can cover program costs at the F2021 level for almost 5 months. 

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

Updated on July 29, 2022 by Angelina Curwin.