Mennonite Central Committee Canada is a top-rated, 5-star charity with High demonstrated impact. The charity has an A Results Reporting grade, which is above average. For every dollar donated to the charity, 68 cents are available to go to the cause, which is within Ci's reasonable range.

Founded in 1920, Mennonite Central Committee Canada (MCC Canada) is a Christian charity that provides aid to vulnerable communities and works to minimize conflict. The charity works in partnership with Mennonite Central Committee U.S. (MCC U.S.) to run its programs. MCC Canada and MCC U.S. agreed to share ownership of every MCC international program. The charity also has provincial bodies that help it raise money and deliver domestic program services. MCC Canada’s main charitable programs are Sustainable Development, Disaster Response, and Peacebuilding. In F2022, it spent $32.9m on its programs, including $28.3m in international costs, $1.1m in domestic costs, and $3.5m in grants to provincial MCC bodies. In F2023, MCC Canada reached 959,310 through its programs.

A Charity Intelligence 2023 Top 100 Rated Charity

MCC Canada spent 40% of its program spending on Sustainable Development. This program aims to increase people’s long-term access to food and water, healthcare, and education. In F2023, MCC Canada built and repaired 201 drinking water systems and 315 water harvesting structures for irrigation. The charity states that 55,568 people now have access to an improved water source and 15,776 people now have access to an improved latrine. MCC Canada also ran 35 food projects across 18 countries in partnership with Canadian Foodgrains Bank. The charity trained 44,654 people in agriculture and animal production methods. 39,158 people also received agricultural supplies, such as seeds and tools. MCC Canada also helped 452 refugees from Syria, Eritrea, Afghanistan, and Iran settle in resettle in Canada.

The charity spent 38% of its program spending on Disaster Response. This program helps meet the immediate needs of people during natural disasters and conflicts. In F2023, MCC Canada repaired 1,552 homes.  The charity sent emergency food assistance to 208,149 people and financial support to 4,003 people. In F2023, MCC Canada sent 59,277 comforters, 52,280 hygiene kits, 574,560 lb of canned meat, 89,369 school kits, 32,285 relief kits, 10,908 infant care kits, 1,560 sewing kits, and 9,208 dignity kits.

MCC Canada spent 12% of its program spending on Justice and Peacebuilding. The charity works with church partners and other organizations to teach conflict resolution skills and support peace education. MCC Canada also advocates to the Canadian government to reduce international relief restrictions. In F2023, MCC Canada recorded 32 meetings between policymakers in Ottawa and MCC staff and 468 letters sent to parliament by MCC supporters. In F2023, MCC Canada ran 75 Peacebuilding projects, of which 39 were through churches. The charity also trained 30,246 people in conflict transformation.

The remaining 11% of program spending in F2022 was grants to provincial MCCs.

Mennonite Central Committee Canada’s F2023 audited financial statements were not available at the time of this review. The charity’s year-end is in March. Since the charity is late in posting its audited financial statements, its transparency score decreased. The following financial review refers to the F2022 audited financial statements.

Mennonite Central Committee Canada is a Major 100 charity, one of Canada’s largest charities in terms of donations. In F2022, it received $40.8m in Canadian donations. It also received $7.0m in government funding (14% of total revenue) and $1.3m in international donations (3% of total revenue) during the year. MCC Canada’s total revenue includes $38.4m in funding (76% of total revenue) from provincial Mennonite Central Committees through a predetermined revenue-sharing agreement. 

MCC Canada spent $32.915 on its programs and grants, which is 65% of revenue. The charity recorded a surplus of $15.1m, which is 30% of revenue.

Administrative costs are 4% of total revenue excluding investment income. Fundraising costs are 28% of Canadian donations (excluding funding from the provincial MCC charities). This results in total overhead spending of 32%. For every dollar donated to the charity, 68 cents go to the cause. This is within Ci’s reasonable range for overhead spending.

In F2022, MCC Canada had $35.8m in net reserve funds (up 47% from $24.4m in F2021) which can cover annual program costs for just over one year.

This charity report is an update that has been sent to Mennonite Central Committee Canada for review. Comments and edits may be forthcoming. 

Updated on July 24, 2024 by Liam Chapleau.