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 F2019, Scott Mission allocated 41% 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 F2019, Scott Mission gave families 32,089 bags of groceries, and families attended over 22,646 appointments to receive clothing. Scott Mission also provided over 2,600 grocery gift cards and hampers at Christmas.

In F2019, Scott Mission allocated 37% of program spending to people who are homeless or elderly. More than 92,000 hot lunches were served, representing approximately 300 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 F2019, homeless men made over 4,602 visits for clothing, 8,130 visits for shower and laundry, and received over 24,500 personal hygiene items. During the year, the charity coordinates day trips in Toronto or longer stays at its lodge in Collingwood, Ontario.  

In F2019, Scott Mission allocated 18% of program spending to children and youth. More than 252 children attended after-school programs and 511 children stayed at Scott Mission’s summer camp in Caledon, Ontario. 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 charity also provided new toys for 1,900 children at Christmas, along with backpacks and supplies for over 250 children starting a new year of school.

The remaining 6% 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.

Scott Mission is a Large charity with donations of $9.6m in F2019. It received in-kind donations valued at $8.0m, representing 35% of total revenues. Administrative costs are 6% of revenues (excluding investment income) and fundraising costs are 22% of donations. This means overhead costs are 28%. For every dollar donated, 72 cents go to the cause. This is within Ci’s reasonable range for overhead spending.

Scott Mission has $25.6m in funding reserves which could cover program costs for roughly 16 months.

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

Updated on July 15, 2020 by Eric Jose.