Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada is a 3-star, financially transparent charity. Its results reporting score is B+, which is above average. Its overhead spending is within Ci’s reasonable range. Its reserve funds can cover four years and six months of annual program costs.

Founded in 1979, Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada (CAFC) works to improve the lives of children and youth in the child welfare system. It reports that poverty, addiction, mental health challenges, isolation, and intergenerational trauma are the most common reasons children are removed from their homes and placed in government care. Approximately 59,000 children are living in permanent government care, and 300,000 more are living with vulnerable or unstable families at risk of abuse or neglect. Of these children, less than 50% will graduate from high school. CAFC also reports that every year, approximately 2,300 children who “age out” of the child welfare system. 

The charity runs three main programs: Grants, Other Programs, and Scholarships. 

Grants to other children's organizations were 68% of program spending ($9.4m) in F2024. CAFC reports partnering with 114 agencies across Canada. Of these agencies, 95 were directly supporting youth and 19 were conducting research. 27 agencies were Indigenous-led and focussed. 

Other Programs were 17% of program spending ($2.3m) in F2024. These included parenting groups, mindfulness workshops, and extracurricular activities for children at risk. CAFC reported serving 8,163 youths at risk; 4,889 youths who transitioned out of care; and 3,021 families at risk in F2024. 

Scholarships were 16% of program spending ($2.1m) in F2024. It supported 670 individuals through scholarships and bursaries for post-secondary education. The average amount received was $16,500 for university graduates and $9,600 for  college graduates.

In F2024, Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada received $16.3m in donations and special events revenue. It also received $2.1m in government funding, representing 8% of revenue. Administrative costs were 11% of revenues, less investment income. Fundraising costs were 20% of donations. Total overhead spending was 30%. For every dollar donated, 70 cents are available to go to the cause. This is within Ci’s reasonable range for overhead spending. 

In F2024, CAFC had $76.6m in funding reserves. Included in these is $14.6m in donor-endowed funds. Excluding these funds, its reserves can cover four years and six months of annual program costs. 

This charity report is an update that has been sent to Children's Aid Foundation of Canada for review. Changes and edits may be forthcoming.  

Updated on August 26, 2024 by Stellar Zhang.