Sierra Club of British Columbia is a 4-star, financially transparent charity. Its results reporting score is A-, which is above average. Its overhead spending is within Ci’s reasonable range. Its reserve funds can cover one year and four months of annual program costs. 

Founded in 1969, Sierra Club of British Columbia (SCBC) supports stewardship of the ecosystems and climate in BC. It incorporates Indigenous knowledge and traditions in its work. Sierra Club reports that BC is failing to meet its climate and ecological goals. It states that only 15% of the land in BC is protected. The BC government must double this number to meet its 30% goal by 2030. Only 24% of the most at-risk old-growth forests in BC had been deferred from logging. According to the charity, this number is insufficient to protect these forests. 

Sierra Club has three main programs: Environmental Advocacy and Awareness, Education K-8, and Indigenous Knowledge. 

Environmental Advocacy and Awareness was 91% of program spending in F2022. It communicates through mainstream media, social media, webinars, and legal suits. In F2022, the charity reported that 752 news stories featured its work across outlets like Global News, CTV, the Vancouver Sun, and more. Its advocacy reached 766k people through mainstream media and 218k people through social media in F2022. 

Education K-8 was 7% of program spending in F2022. It offers free environmental works in classrooms, school yards, homeschool neighborhoods, and local outdoor spaces. Sierra Club reports reaching 10k learners through its education programs.  

Indigenous Knowledge was 2% of program spending in F2022. The charity states that projects that harm the environment often also infringe on the rights of Indigenous Peoples. Sierra Club does not provide specific outputs for its Indigenous Knowledge program. 

Sierra Club BC received $2.5m in Canadian donations in F2023. It also received $65k in international donations. It received $436k in government funding, representing 15% of total revenues.  

Administrative costs are 10% of total revenues, less investment income. Fundraising costs are 22% of donations. Total overhead spending was 32%. For every dollar donated, 68 cents are available to go to the cause. This is within Ci’s reasonable range for spending. 

In F2023, Sierra Club had $2.6m in net funding reserves. These can cover one year and four months of annual program costs. 

In F2019, the charity received $60k to be used towards information technology assets and upgrades. It did not disclose the source of this revenue. Ci has reported the amortization of this deferred capital contribution under other revenue.  

In F2023, the charity used external fundraisers. It paid $18k to raise $12k. This puts the cost of raising a dollar via these fundraisers at $1.47. Donors who want to maximize their giving are encouraged to donate directly to the charity.