Women in Need Society is a 3-star charity with best practices in financial transparency. It has an average results reporting grade and good overhead costs.

Founded in 1992, Women in Need Society of Calgary (WINS) supports women and families needing clothing, household items, and general social support. WINS supports a diverse range of women, including those leaving abusive relationships, those on income assistance, and those new to Canada. The charity reports that one in four single women aged 18-64 have experienced poverty in Alberta. Additionally, 34% of women in Canada have experienced physical abuse.

WINS operates six thrift stores that collect and sell donated clothes, electronics, furniture, and household goods. The charity uses thrift store revenue to support its three main programs: Community Resource Hubs, House to Home, and Employment Programs. It does not disclose how much it spent on each of its programs. In F2022, the charity helped a total of 17,508 people.

Women in Need Society of Calgary operates four Community Resource Hubs, offering safe places for women and their families. The Hubs offer public computer access, basic employment support, and referrals to community agencies. Additionally, the charity provides ESL training, parenting workshops, and free tax services to low-income individuals and families. In F2022, WINS Community Hubs helped 2,078 adults and 2,139 children.

House to Home provides essentials including furniture, clothing, household goods, emergency food, and hygiene items to vulnerable women and children who are financially disadvantaged. In F2022, the charity reports that it converted 1,393 houses into homes with $567k in donated goods. WINS served 4,119 people in F2022, an increase of 43% form 2,886 individuals in F2021.

WINS’ Employment Programs aim to prepare individuals for work in the retail and warehouse industry. The charity has two six-week long courses, Retail Ready and Warehouse Ready, which provide training and work experience. In F2022, 154 individuals participated in the programs, 92 of whom graduated.

Women in Need Society of Calgary has donations and special even revenues of $1.9m in F2022. The charity had $5.1m in business activities, representing net revenues from its six thrift stores. WINS received $514k in government funding, mainly from the provincial Government of Alberta, representing 7% of total revenues.

Administrative costs are 5% of revenues (less investment income) and fundraising costs are 24% of donations and special events. This results in total overhead spending of 29%. For every dollar donated, 71 cents go to the cause. This is within Ci’s reasonable range for overhead spending.  

Women in Need Society of Calgary has $4.0 million in reserve funds. These reserve funds are WINS cash and investments. The charity has almost 8 months of annual program costs covered by its current reserves. 

This charity report is an update that has been sent to Women in Need Society of Calgary for review. Changes and edits may be forthcoming.  Updated on May 18^th 2023 by Brenleigh Jebb.