Opportunity International Canada is a 5-star charity with Good Demonstrated Impact. It has an A Results Reporting grade, which is above average. For every dollar donated to the charity, 70 cents are available to go to the cause, which is within Ci's reasonable range.

Founded in 1998, Opportunity International Canada (OIC) is the Canadian support partner of the US-based Opportunity International. It is a faith-based organization that serves individuals of all beliefs in developing countries. Its mission is to “empower people living in poverty to transform their lives, their children’s futures, and their communities” by providing financial resources and training. OIC supports local finance organizations, providing financial resources to create jobs and build communities.

A Charity Intelligence 2023 Top 100 Rated Charity

Globally, Opportunity International’s microfinance services include loans, savings accounts, microinsurance, and financial training. OIC offers financial products aimed at helping farmers, empowering women, and training local leaders who can share financial knowledge with their communities. It also provides loans to communities that want to improve schools, water sanitation, and other pieces of infrastructure. OIC has three core programs: Micro Enterprise, Education Finance, and Innovation. In 2023, Opportunity International Canada spent $4.3m on its programs. In 2023, OIC reached 3.1 million people across 31 countries.

Micro Enterprise received 73% of program costs in 2023. The charity’s Micro Enterprise program leverages donations and then distributes them to help families in low-income countries build businesses. Once a client repays their loan, it is re-lent to another family.  The historical rate of repayment is 98%. In 2023, OIC helped 2.28 million people through its micro-enterprise, 95% of which were women. The charity’s micro-enterprise created or sustained 48,417 new jobs. The charity partnered with 138 financial institutions across 31 countries.  

Health received 12% of program costs in 2023. OIC uses its microloan network to empower local community health leaders in hygiene and sanitation. The health leaders then each educate around 200 people in the community while earning a sustainable income. In 2023, 376,500 people living in poverty improved their health. In India, OIC trained 300 microloan clients to become health leaders. 

Education Finance represented 12% of program costs in 2023. OIC partners with financial institutions to provide access to Education Finance for schools and communities. OIC states its program helps students stay in school and helps schools make capital investments for development. In 2023, OIC educated 366,888 people. OIC partnered with 103 financial institutions and reached 164 schools.  

Innovation and Agriculture represented 3% of program costs in 2023. The charity's Innovation program aims to provide technology-based solutions to help provide women with financial stability. In 2023, OIC helped 101,787 people in extreme poverty. The charity also helped 811 farmers grow more food.

Opportunity International Canada has an associated foundation. Ci consolidated the operating charity and the foundation’s audited financial statements. Transfers between the two organizations have been excluded. The charity and foundation have different year ends. As such, the cash flows do not reconcile.

Opportunity International Canada received $4.2m in donations in 2023. The charity spent $4.3m on its programs, which is 97% of revenue. OIC recorded a surplus of $282k.

Administrative costs are 10% of revenue (excluding investment income). Fundraising costs are 20% of donations. For every dollar donated to the charity, 70 cents are available to go to the cause, which is within Ci’s reasonable range.

OIC has $4.0m in reserve funds (cash and investments), of which, $99k is donor endowed. Excluding donor-endowed funds, the charity’s reserves could cover 91% or eleven months of its annual program costs.

In 2023, OIC paid external fundraisers $67k to collect $154k. It costs 44 cents to raise a dollar using external fundraisers in 2023.

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

Updated on August 7, 2024 by Liam Chapleau.