GFA World is a 0-star charity with a low results reporting grade and low demonstrated impact. The charity is not financially transparent and its overhead costs are outside Ci's reasonable range for overhead spending. Before you give, read Charity Intelligence's report.

Founded in 1984, GFA World (GFA) is the Canadian branch of the international Gospel for Asia organization. Gospel for Asia sees itself as a religious order. Gospel for Asia works to spread the message of Christ in Asia through missionaries and improvements in health, education, and local economies. The charity works in 18 countries internationally. 

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In July 2020, GFA filed for creditor protection. Auditors Pricewaterhouse Coopers will monitor the charity's finances and operations. An Ontario judge allowed GFA to continue to fundraise and accept donations, but it cannot send donations to other countries without audit approval. GFA World may receive 20% of donations held in trust for its general operations and fundraising costs.

In February 2020, Canadian donors launched a $170 million class-action legal case against GFA World Canada alleging it breached its duty of care and fiduciary duty to donors, conspired to defraud donors and misrepresented the nature of how donations would be spent. It was found in a 2019 US lawsuit against Gospel for Asia that Gospel for Asia (US) received US$20 million from Canadian donors that did not go to India or other development work. Rather it was spent on its Texas headquarters. To learn more about this case's details.

In March 2019, a US court ordered Gospel for Asia USA pay a US$37 million refund to donors for misrepresenting how donations were spent. In October 2017, the Indian government forbid Gospel for Asia funds transfers to India. CBC investigated Gospel for Asia Canada and US, talking with former members.

In March 2016, The Toronto Star reported that Gospel for Asia Canada was the defendant in a fraud lawsuit. The lawsuit alleged that between 2007 and 2014, $94 million was sent from Gospel for Asia Canada to India. Yet, Gospel for Asia’s Indian affiliates have no record of receiving funds from Canada during that period. Gospel for Asia Canada denies the allegations. Toronto Star Article

Additionally, on October 6, 2015, Gospel for Asia US had its membership revoked for standards breaches in the US organization, the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA). Christian Today Article

GFA World’s largest programs include community transformation (48%), national workers (17%) children’s ministry (14%), providing scripture and media (11%), and clean water (9%).  

Through its community transformation program in F2021, GFA provided 500,000 women with free health-care training and taught 27,000 women how to read and write. It also conducted 800 medical camps in remote and needy locations.

During covid-19, the charity provided emergency support to communities. GFA World helped 2.5 million people throughout the pandemic. It distributed 225,000 blankets and 150,000 hygiene kits. The charity also conducted 1,500 health awareness programs in rural villages and slums.   

The charity’s child sponsorship program works to provide education, food, and medical care to poor children. Since its founding, it has provided over 142,000 children from impoverished families with a daily meal and medical check-ups. 

Charity Intelligence has scored GFA World as a zero in financial transparency because the charity failed to provide full financial statements when requested. The financial analysis completed by Charity Intelligence for F2020 uses the most recent financial statements available to Ci, through a request to the CRA, at the time of writing this report. Ci used the charity’s T3010 filing with the CRA to complete the F2019 financial analysis as the audited financial statements were not provided by GFA World or the CRA. 

GFA World received donations of $7.0m in F2020. Administrative costs are 36% of revenues less investment income, and fundraising costs are 7% of donations.  For every dollar donated, 58 cents go to the cause. This is outside Ci’s reasonable range for overhead spending. 

GFA World has $6.4m in funding reserves which could cover around 3.5 years of program costs.  

Charity Intelligence has sent this profile update to GFA World for review. Changes and edits may be forthcoming. 

Updated on July 20, 2022, by Emma Saganowich. 

Times of India India Ministry of Home Affairs banned all overseas funds from Gospel for Asia organizations in 2017.