Engineers Without Borders is a three-star charity with low funding reserves and an average results reporting grade. It is financially transparent but has overhead costs outside of Ci's reasonable range.

Founded in 1999, Engineers Without Borders (EWB) is a charity that aims to eliminate poverty and inequality. EWB invests in local businesses and supports innovators across the globe to address the root causes of poverty. The charity mainly works in Sub-Saharan Africa but wants to impact communities around the world. EWB’s main charitable programs are Investing in Ventures, Investing in People, and Public Education and Awareness. In F2021, the charity spent $1.6m on its programs.

In F2021, Engineers Without Borders spent $742k on its Investing in People program, which represents 45% of total program spending. This program works with engineers, university students, and other skilled professionals to create solutions to important global problems. In F2020, EWB launched the Virtual Talent xChange, which partners skilled professionals with social ventures in Africa. During the year the charity had five partnerships with businesses.

The charity spent $512k on its Investing in Ventures program, which represents 31% of total program spending. This program involves making long-term investments in small and growing businesses in Sub-Saharan Africa to promote innovation and stimulate economic growth. The charity reports that Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest rates of early-stage entrepreneurship on the planet, with over 250 million people working for small and growing business. In F2020, EWB supported 24 social ventures in the region, including a $50,000 investment in the company MPost.

In F2021, EWB spent $385k on its Public Education and Awareness program, which represents 24% of total program spending. This program involves advocacy campaigns which aim to increase the Canadian government’s funding of local enterprise in Africa. In F2020 the charity launched two national campaigns, had 60 meetings with MPs, and sent 150 letters to the Minister of Finance.

In F2021, Engineers Without Borders received $1.6m in Canadian donations. It also received $316k in federal government funding (14% of total revenue) and $372k in venture generated revenue (16% of total revenue). EWB’s government funding decreased 83% from F2020. Administrative costs are 12% of total revenue. Fundraising costs are 35% of Canadian donations. This results in total overhead spending of 47%. For every dollar donated to the charity, 53 cents go to the cause. This is not within Ci’s reasonable range for overhead spending. EWB has $1.4m in net funding reserves, which can cover annual program costs for around ten months.

In F2021, Engineers Without Borders paid external fundraisers $12k to raise 0$. In F2020, it paid external fundraisers $14k to raise $0. In F2019, the charity paid external fundraisers $68k to raise $0.  

This charity report is an update that has been sent to Engineers Without Borders for review. Changes and edits may be forthcoming.

Updated on June, 22nd 2022 by Arjun Kapur.