ADRA Canada is a two-star charity with low demonstrated impact. It has a C+ Results Reporting grade, which is below average. For every dollar donated to the charity, 93 cents are available to go to the cause, which is within Ci's reasonable range.

Founded in 1985, Adventist Development and Relief Agency Canada (ADRA Canada) was created by the Seventh-Day Adventist Church to help people, both globally and domestically, get out of poverty. ADRA Canada is part of the global ADRA network, which works in 120 countries to break the long-term cycle of extreme poverty. The charity provides interventions that bring water, sanitation, health, food and nutrition, education, and income assistance to those in need.

ADRA Canada runs two main international programs: Humanitarian and Emergency Assistance, and Development. It also runs one minor Canadian program. In F2023, ADRA International helped 20,385,297 people in 120 countries. The charity spent $37.2m on its programs in F2023. 

ADRA Canada spent $23.0m (62% of program spending) on Humanitarian and Emergency Assistance. ADRA provides aid such as sanitation, food assistance, health, protection, shelter, and education to countries affected by disasters and conflicts. In F2023, ADRA Canada helped 850,590 people across 42 projects. ADRA’s biggest areas of spending were in Ukraine and Yemen. In Ukraine, ADRA ran three projects that reached 67,539 people: focusing on food assistance, protection, and shelter. In Yemen, ADRA ran three projects that reached 509,407 people: focusing on food assistance, health, and nutrition.  

ADRA Canada spent $13.0m (35% of program spending) on Development. ADRA helps individuals and communities with financial stability, food security, health, climate resilience, and education. In F2023, ADRA Canada helped 252,773 people across 12 projects.

ADRA Canada spent $1.2m (3% of program spending) on Canadian Programs. ADRA Canada provides emergency relief to disasters in Canada, such as wildfires and floods, and helps communities with: food security, employment, homelessness, and environmental initiatives. In F2023, ADRA Canada helped 34,765 people across 58 projects. The charity spent the majority of its funds in British Columbia, where it served 4,501 people across ten projects, and Ontario, where it served 2,120 people across seven projects.

In F2023, ADRA Canada received $19.3m in donations. The charity also received $19.9m in government funding, which is 49% of revenue. ADRA Canada spent $37.2m on its domestic and international programs, which is 91% of revenue. The charity recorded a surplus of $1.9m (5% of revenue).

Administrative costs are 2% of revenue (less investment income), and fundraising costs are 5% of donations. For every dollar donated to the charity, 93 cents are available to go to the cause, which is within Ci’s reasonable range.

ADRA Canada has $12.4m in reserve funds (cash and investments). Its reserves can cover 33%, or four months of its annual program costs.

ADRA Canada is affiliated with the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Canada because of shared board membership. In F2023, ADRA Canada received $2.0m in donations from the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Canada. Ci recorded this amount as other revenue.

­­This charity report is an update that was sent to ADRA Canada for review. Changes and edits may be forthcoming.

Updated June 4, 2024 by Liam Chapleau