Opération Enfant Soleil is a 3-star charity that is financially transparent. It has a C+ results reporting grade which is below average. For every dollar donated to the charity, 68 cents go to the cause. This is within Ci’s reasonable range for overhead spending.

Founded in 1988, Opération Enfant Soleil (OES) raises funds to improve pediatric care for children across Québec. Most funds are distributed to the four major pediatric centres in Québec: the CHU de Québec-Laval University’s Centre mère-enfant Soleil, the CHU Sainte-Justine in Montréal, the Montreal Children’s Hospital of the McGill University Health Centre, and the CIUSSS de l’Estrie-CHU de Sherbrooke. OES also provides grants to local organizations and regional hospitals. The charity reports almost 60,000 youth are hospitalized annually in the specialised or regional hospitals. The grant money is used to acquire technologies, upgrade facilities, and purchase specialized equipment for treatment. As of 2023, 76% of Quebecers are aware of Opération Enfant Soleil, a 3% increase from 2022.

Since its inception, Opération Enfant Soleil has distributed over $320m in Québec. In F2023, it awarded $14.5m in grants to 17 regions, with 87% going to the four major pediatric centers and 13% to regional hospitals. In total, 114 grants were given in F2023, including funding for a Center of Excellence in Pediatric Sleep Medicine at Montreal Children’s Hospital and a resuscitation table at CMSSS Minganie.

The Opération Enfant Soleil Telethon is a major fundraising event that raises awareness and funds for pediatric care in Québec. OES hosts a 15-hour live TV broadcast with performers and children ambassadors to show how people can help sick kids and their families. In F2023, it set a record by raising $23.2m (+12.2% vs. F2022), with $2.6m collected on the day of the telethon. The event involved over 370 volunteers, 800 partners, and 45,000 donors, including 8,000 new donors and 1,300 new Parents Soleil.

Opération Enfant Soleil reported $23.2m in donations and special event revenue in F2023. The charity also received $456k in government funding, which is 2% of revenues.

Administrative costs are 7% of revenues (less investment income) and fundraising costs are 25% of donations. This results in total overhead spending of 32%. For every dollar donated, 68 cents are available to go to the cause. This is within Ci’s reasonable range of 65 to 95 cents for overhead spending.

Opération Enfant Soleil has $17.3m in reserve funds, which can cover one year and two months of annual program costs. OES has a surplus of $3.6m, which is 14% of total revenue.

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

Updated on June 20, 2024 by Alexia Tudose.