Canadian Lutheran World Relief is a financially transparent 5-star charity. It has an average results reporting grade and its overhead costs are within Ci's reasonable range. Ci has given this charity a Good rating for demonstrated impact. 

Founded in 1946, Canadian Lutheran World Relief (CLWR) is a Lutheran charity that aims to reduce suffering and poverty. The charity’s vision is a healthy and sustainable world where people live in peace. CLWR runs four main programs, listed below. Charity Intelligence calculates CLWR spent $22.5m on its programs and grants in its fiscal year ending March 2025 (F2025). The most recent annual report available at the time of this update was from F2024.

Canadian Lutheran World Relief is one of the 15 partner charities that make up Canadian Foodgrains Bank. In F2025, the charity received $2.3m from Canadian Foodgrains Bank to run its international aid programs.

A Charity Intelligence 2024 Top 100 Rated Charity.

Humanitarian Assistance received 63% of program spending in F2024. CLWR supports communities affected by disasters, conflicts, and drought. The charity built 100 latrines in F2024, benefiting 3,000 displaced people in Somalia. It also provided emergency food to 4,715 people in Central African Republic. CWLR reports it provided cash assistance to 2,050 people affected by earthquakes and floods in Haiti. The charity reports that in total, it helped 328,020 people through its Humanitarian Assistance program in F2024.

Food Security and Livelihoods received 16% of program spending in F2024. CLWR gives families food and teaches them how to grow their own food as well. The charity reports it provided chicken farming training to 540 people in Ethiopia in F2024. It also reports that 1,200 women participated in its 40 farmer field schools in Burundi. CLWR reports that in total, it helped 18,540 people through its Food Security and Livelihoods program in F2024.

Education and Skills received 15% of program spending in F2024. CLWR provides education and skills training to people facing barriers to school and work. The charity reports it provided scholarships to 736 women in the West Bank in F2024. It also provided 125 children with daily school meals in Nicaragua. CLWR reports that in total, it helped 20,250 people through its Education and Skills program in F2024.

Refugee Resettlement received 6% of program spending in F2024. CLWR helps Canadian churches take part in refugee resettlement. The charity reports it helped 244 refugees resettle in Canada in F2024.

CLWR’s audited financial statements follow activity-based costing, a best practice. Its expenses are clearly defined between program, administrative, and fundraising categories.

In F2025 CLWR received $7.3m in donations. It also received $13.3m in government funding. Government funding is 62% of total revenue.

Administrative costs are 3% of revenues (excluding investment income). Fundraising costs are 18% of donations. This results in total overhead spending of 20%. For every dollar donated, 80 cents are available to go to the cause. This falls within Ci’s reasonable range for overhead spending.

In F2025 CLWR spent $22.5m on its programs and grants, which is 105% of its revenue. In F2025 it had a deficit of $3.0m.

CLWR has $16.4m in reserve funds (cash and investments). The reserves can cover 73%, or just under nine months of program costs.

This charity report is an update that has been sent for review to Canadian Lutheran World Relief. Changes and edits may be forthcoming. 

Updated on August 11, 2025, by Grady Simpson.