Assiniboine Park Conservancy is a 3-star charity that is financially transparent. It has a slightly below-average results reporting grade of B- and reasonable overhead spending of 25%.

Founded in 2008, Assiniboine Park Conservancy (APC) is responsible for the operation of Winnipeg’s Assiniboine Park, Zoo, and The Leaf (greenhouse). APC also funds conservation and research projects that affect the local area. The charity has a 50-year lease on the 1,100-acre Park with the City of Winnipeg. The city owns the property and assets and gives an annual grant to the charity to support the Park’s maintenance.

Assiniboine Park Conservancy has posted its F2023 financial statements; however, its most recent annual report at the time of this update is from F2022. Information from F2022 was used for this profile update. APC’s profile update does not refer to the same year as the financials. The charity has not provided a breakdown of its program spending.

Assiniboine Park: The Assiniboine Park has been established for over a century. The park contains attractions, such as the English Garden, The Pavilion, and the Leo Mol Sculpture Garden. Assiniboine Park hosts events throughout the year. In F2022, the park hosted a three-day Earth Day celebration, a day of solidarity with the people of Ukraine, and the Casinos of Winnipeg Summer Entertainment Series which featured over 30 musical acts. The charity also replaced 20 aging wood benches with 30 new composite benches and planted 100 trees.

Assiniboine Park Zoo: The Assiniboine Park Zoo is home to more than 150 animal species across 80 acres. In F2022, APC distributed 13,500 Community Access Vouchers offering free admission to the Zoo to individuals facing health and socio-economic challenges. APC has 27 new additions to the zoo including a polar bear, a porcupine, two monkeys, four wallaroos, and three rocky mountain goats.

The Leaf: Assiniboine Park Conservancy opened the Gardens at The Leaf in F2021. The Gardens at The Leaf span 30 acres and include six diverse gardens. The Leaf greenhouse was opened in December 2022 and contains five different programs. The Tropical Biome, Mediterranean Biome, and Display House showcase unique horticulture. The Butterfly Garden hosts various species of butterflies. The Living Classroom is a place where groups participate in environmental and cultural programs year-round.

Conservation, Research, and Sustainability: In F2022, APC banded eight baby burrowing owls and performed health checks on another seven that were too small to band. The charity also attached a satellite tag to a wild harbour seal. APC participated in the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup collecting over 100 kg of waste from the Park and riverbanks and recycled over 15,000 disposable masks.

Assiniboine Park Conservancy had donations of $2.4m in F2023. It also received park revenues of $28.0m and investment income of $617k. The charity received $13.0m in government funding representing 23% of total revenues.

Administrative costs are 5% of revenues (less investment income) and fundraising costs are 20% of donations. This results in total overhead spending of 25%, which is within Ci’s reasonable range for overhead spending. 

Assiniboine Park Conservancy has $12.9m in reserve funds. These reserve funds are the charity’s cash and investments. The charity has four months of annual program costs covered by its current reserves.

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

Updated on August 20, 2024, by Lily Ferguson.