Halton Learning Foundation is a 3-star charity with reasonable overhead costs and best practices in financial transparency. Its annual report and accountability to donors is below average which is shown in the B- grade. Charity Intelligence has not measured (n/r) HLF's impact. 

Founded in 2004, Halton Learning Foundation (HLF) helps to eliminate financial barriers to education for public school students in Burlington, Halton Hills, Milton, and Oakville. HLF collaborates with the Halton District School Board (HDSB) to assist students and support various school programs. The charity reported that about one in ten students of the HDSB live in poverty. To support students, HLF provides emergency funds, school grants and scholarships. Since 2004, the foundation has disbursed $2.3 million to help more than 13,000 students. HLF has also granted over $2 million in school grants.

Eliminating Barriers represented 53% of program spending in F2021. This program is an emergency fund that provides immediate financial support to students and families in need. HLF accepts online referrals from principals, teachers, and social workers. The fund supports students’ basic needs and subsidizes school activities such as field trips, allowing kids to fully participate in school. In F2021, HLF provided financial support to 1,244 students. On average, each student received $202, a decline of $23 since F2019.

School grants represented 20% of program spending in F2021. Grants allow schools to purchase additional equipment and fund educational programs in five key areas: arts & music, media literacy, environment, physical education, and mental health. Applications are reviewed by school principals, HLF staff, and HLF board members. HLF reports that it supports about 100 programs in schools across the HDSB annually. In F2021, HLF provided grants to 18 schools across the HDSB. Each approved school received an average of $5,178. HLF reported that the number of schools receiving funding decreased in F2021 due to COVID-19 related school closures.

Scholarships represented 27% of program spending in F2021. HLF partners with organizations and individuals to offer scholarships that help students of the HDSB continue their education beyond high school. In F2021, HLF provided scholarships to 96 students. The average value of each scholarship was $1,338, an increase of $381 since F2019.

Halton Learning Foundation received $1.1m in donations in F2021, an increase of 13% compared to F2020 ($958k). The charity also received $14k in fees for service in F2021, a decrease of 81% compared to F2020 ($76k).

HLF's administrative costs are 14% of revenues, a decrease of 4% compared to F2019 (18%) due to cost reductions and the government's covid funding. The foundation did not report any fundraising costs. This lack of reporting negatively affects HLF's star rating. For every dollar donated, 86 cents go the cause. This is within Ci’s reasonable range for overhead spending.

The foundation holds $1.6m in funding reserves, of which $259k is donor-endowed. Excluding donor-endowed funds, Halton Learning Foundation can cover 2.3 years of annual program costs.

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

Updated on May 20, 2022 by Angelina Curwin.