Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montreal is a 1-star charity with a C- results reporting grade, which is below average. For every dollar donated to the charity, 11 cents go to the cause. This is well below Ci’s reasonable range for overhead spending. Please read Ci’s report before donating.

Founded in Montreal in 1957, Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montreal (GBCM) showcases classical ballet and contemporary dance. Led by Artistic Director Ivan Cavallari, GBCM aims to make dance accessible and inspiring to everyone. Besides its main ballet, GBCM’s social engagement initiatives provide health and dance therapy, education, community outreach, and nurturing future talent. The charity does not provide a breakdown of its spending on its programs.

The ballet includes over 50 dancers and 70 Orchestra members. In the 2022-2023 season, GBCM had a full schedule of six productions in Montreal, the first since 2020, with 45+ shows attracting 91,002 spectators. It also toured in Canada, performing for 21,066 people in Quebec and Ottawa. Upcoming tours include the US and Spain. In December 2022, Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montreal presented The Nutcracker in Ottawa for the first time since 2006.

Social Engagement

GBCM's National Centre for Dance Therapy (NCDT) offers dance therapy and adapted dance for those with special needs. In F2023, NCDT provided five weekly classes, five summer camps, and partnered with 29 organizations, helping over 1,000 individuals. It also provides certified dance therapist training and workshops sharing research on dance interventions in social and health settings.

Previously known as Les Studios, Studios GB offers 45+ weekly dance and fitness classes for adults. GBCM has expanded to include two rental spaces for large groups and seven smaller dance studios. Post-pandemic, GBCM focuses on in-person classes, with 1,400 weekly participants and 20,833 total visits in F2023.

Through the Nutcracker Fund, GBCM offers educational workshops and free performances to 2,800 vulnerable kids annually. In F2023, it conducted 250 workshops in 60 classes for disadvantaged students. Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montreal invited 1,000 young people with disabilities and 200 CEGEP students to free shows. The charity’s Gratitude and Generosity series offered free admission to 574 marginalized individuals. Overall, 4,400 young people and almost 600 adults enjoyed free GBCM shows in F2023.

The financial analysis for F2023 and F2022 reflects the consolidated financial position of Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montreal and The Endowment Fund of Les Grand Ballets Canadiens. The charity could not provide The Endowment Fund’s audited financial statements for F2022, so the F2021 values in the Financial Review below are not consolidated.

Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montreal received $3.2m in donations in F2023. It also received $6.4m in government funding, which is 37% of total revenues. The charity spent $11.7m on its programs in F2023, which is 67% of total revenues.

Administrative costs are 17% of revenues (less investment income) and fundraising costs are 72% of donations. This results in total overhead spending of 89%. For every dollar donated, 11 cents are available to go to the cause. This is well below Ci’s reasonable range of 65 to 95 cents for overhead spending.

Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montreal has $49.2m in reserve funds, which can cover 4 years and 2 months of program costs. GBCM had an operating surplus of $182k, which is 1% of total revenues, and spent $1.2m on capital expenditures in F2023.

This charity report is an update that has been sent to Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montreal for review. Changes and edits may be forthcoming.

Updated on June 21, 2024 by Alexia Tudose.