The Governing Council of the Salvation Army in Canada is a 2-star, Major 100 charity. The charity is financially transparent and has Low demonstrated impact. It has a below-average results reporting grade and reasonable overhead spending. Salvation Army has $1.6 billion in reserve funds, which can cover two years and four months of program costs.

Working in Canada since 1882, the Governing Council of the Salvation Army in Canada (Salvation Army) is a Christian international organization. It strives to help people struggling with addiction, lacking access to basic needs and experiencing hardships. Salvation Army mainly works in Canada and Bermuda and is the largest non-governmental direct provider of social services in Canada. Today, it serves 400 communities across the country. Its main programs focus on Addiction Services, Health Care, Community and Family Services, and Congregational Ministries. The charity reports helping over 2.7 million people in F2023. 

While the charity's F2024 financial statements were released at the time of this profile update, the charity had not yet released its F2024 annual report. Some of the program information below comes from the F2023 annual report. 

Addiction Services was 39% of program spending in F2024. This program aims to help people with substance use disorders. The charity runs 19 Addiction Services programs in Canada and Bermuda. In F2024 Salvation Army provided 5,500 shelters, addictions, detox, and mental-health beds each night.  

Health Care was 32% of program spending in F2024. Salvation Army works to improve people’s physical and mental health. In F2024 the charity provided 248 hospital beds, 1,158 long term care and supportive housing beds, and 30 hospice beds. In F2023 82,000 people were visited in hospitals, nursing homes, daycare centers and other facilities. 

Community and Family Services was 14% of program spending in F2024. This program included food, housing support and life skills building. The charity states that it has 250 community and family services locations around the country. In F2023 the charity assisted 1.5 million people with food, clothing and practical assistance. Salvation Army sent food hampers and toys to 359,000 people at Christmas. In F2024 the charity served 3.2 million community meals. In the same year it received 1.1 million visits to community and family services. 

Congregational Ministries was 7% of program spending. The charity reports that it currently has over 300 churches across the country. 

The remaining 8% of program spending went to Other Programs and Services (3%), Children and Youth (3%), Educational (1%), and Overseas Development and Missions (1%).  

Salvation Army is a Major 100 charity, one of the largest charities in Canada in donations. In F2024, Salvation Army received $237.2m in Canadian donations. It also received $440.6m in government funding (44% of total revenue) and $63.7m in fees for service (76 of total revenue).  

Administrative costs are 10% of total revenue excluding investment income. Fundraising costs are 11% of Canadian donations. This results in total overhead spending of 21%. For every dollar donated to the charity, 79 cents are available for programs. This is within Ci’s reasonable range for overhead spending. 

In F2024 the charity spent $681.6m on its programs, which is 68% of total revenues. The charity had a $205.3m operating surplus, which is 20% of its revenues, and $54.2m in capital expenditures. 

Salvation Army has $1.6 billion in net funding reserves ($1.7 billion in cash and investments less $53.0m in interest-bearing debts). Its liquid assets also include $31.9m in donor-endowed funds. Salvation Army’s net funding reserves, excluding donor-endowed funds, can cover annual program costs for around two years and four months. 

Salvation Army’s reserve funds earned investment income of $181.2m in F2024. This represents an annual return on investment of 13% compared with investment returns of 3% in F2023. The average annual return on investment for the past five years is 8%. As of F2024, the charity holds its investments in stocks (51%), bonds (25%), and real estate/infrastructure (23%). 

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

Updated on July 23, 2024 by Alessandra Castino.