Osteoporosis Canada is a 3-star rated charity with an average results reporting score. It is financially transparent and has overhead costs outside Ci’s reasonable range. With its current reserves the charity can cover almost one year of annual program costs

Founded in 1982, Osteoporosis Canada (OC) is the only national organization serving people who have, or are at risk for, osteoporosis. It supports Canadians living with osteoporosis through education, advocacy, and investing in research. Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by low bone mass and deterioration of bone tissue, leading to an increased risk of fractures. OC reports that over 2.3 million Canadians are affected by osteoporosis. At least one in three women and one in five men will break a bone due to osteoporosis in their lifetime.  

Osteoporosis Canada offers access to free publications, educational programs, and referrals to community resources. OC also works with healthcare professionals to develop practice guidelines and standards for physicians to use in their clinical practice. It works towards its mission with the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, Ontario Women’s Health Council, and health care and research professionals. The charity does not provide a spending breakdown by program. 

OC works to educate Canadians about the risks, incidence, and prevention of osteoporosis. The tools available on its website include its Calcium Calculator Tool and Risk Too, which are offered both in English and in French. In F2023, the charity reported 55,219 completions of the Calcium Calculator Tool and 10,039 completions of the Risk Tool. OC also hosted 135 programs, 94 support group sessions, and 21 webinars in F2023. In F2023 the charity published the 2023 Clinical Practice Guideline to help healthcare providers with the diagnosis and management of osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis Canada also focuses on raising awareness for osteoporosis. In F2023, OC reported 387,781 English web users and 93,235 French web users. The charity published 302 total posts on social media, including 18 new videos. It also released 29 blog posts and 18 podcasts. It sent 139 mass emails in F2023. 

Osteoporosis Canada received $1.7m in donations in F2023. It also received $4.0m in government funding, representing 66% of total revenues. 

Administrative costs are 16% of total revenues (less investment income) and fundraising costs are 41% of total donations. This results in total overhead spending of 57%. For every dollar donated to the charity, 43 cents are available for programs. This falls outside of Ci’s reasonable range for overhead spending, as it has done since 2012. 

In F2023 the charity spent $4.5m on its programs, which is 74% of total revenues. The charity had a deficit of $95k.  

OC has reserve funds of $4.3m. These are the charity’s cash and investments. The charity can cover just under one year of annual program costs with its current reserves. 

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

Updated July 22, 2024 by Alessandra Castino.