Scott Mission is a 2-star rated charity with reasonable overhead costs and best practice in financial transparency. Its annual report and accountability to donors is below average which is shown in the results reporting grade of C+ and it has Low demonstrated impact.

Founded in 1941, Scott Mission is a Christian charity that supports poor people in downtown Toronto. Scott Mission states that someone may become homeless due to childhood trauma, lack of education, substance abuse issues, physical or mental conditions, or a criminal record. In addition to helping homeless people, Scott Mission also supports families, runs a summer camp for children, and raises public awareness of homelessness in Canada. The charity works to ensure that people’s basic requirements for food, shelter, and hygiene are being fulfilled while also taking care of their spiritual and social needs.

In F2021, Scott Mission allocated 40% of program spending to families. The charity supports over 300 families in need each month at its O’Connor Family Centre. Clients may be temporarily experiencing poverty or new to Canada and having difficulties adjusting. In F2021, Scott Mission gave families 34,889 orders of groceries, and families attended over 10,545 appointments to receive clothing.

In F2021, Scott Mission allocated 37% of program spending to people who are homeless or elderly. More than 126,137 hot meals were served, representing approximately 400 meals per day based on operations six days per week year-round. Worship services and Bible studies are also offered six days per week. Homeless men can stay overnight and access showers, referral for rehab, budgeting and tax assistance, interpretation, and public transport to medical appointments. In F2021, 14,600 nights of shelter were provided to homeless men.  

In F2021, Scott Mission allocated 14% of program spending to children and youth. Scott Mission provides a summer camp for youth ages 8-20 in Caledon, ON. Scott Mission subsidizes up to 95% of the cost of summer camp. Childcare is offered at a Scott Mission location which is further from downtown than the charity’s main building.

The remaining 9% of program spending was allocated to organizing volunteers and increasing public awareness of the issues faced by people who are poor.

In November 2017, Scott Mission began the process of redesigning its property at 502/508 Spadina Avenue. The construction project is estimated to cost $20m and is set to be completed in April 2024.

In F2021, Scott Mission brought in donations of $18.6m, up 93% from $9.6m in F2019. It received in-kind donations valued at $8.3m, representing 25% of total revenues. Administrative costs are 6% of revenues (excluding investment income) and fundraising costs are 13% of donations. This means overhead costs are 19%. For every dollar donated, 81 cents go to the cause. This is within Ci’s reasonable range for overhead spending.

Scott Mission has $35.4m in funding reserves which could cover program costs for roughly 21 months.

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

Updated on June 23, 2022 by Angelina Curwin.