ALS Society of Canada
STAR RATINGCi's Star Rating is calculated based on the following independent metrics: |
✔+
FINANCIAL TRANSPARENCY
Audited financial statements for current and previous years available on the charity’s website.
B+
RESULTS REPORTING
Grade based on the charity's public reporting of the work it does and the results it achieves.
n/r
DEMONSTRATED IMPACT
The demonstrated impact per dollar Ci calculates from available program information.
NEED FOR FUNDING
Charity's cash and investments (funding reserves) relative to how much it spends on programs in most recent year.
63%
CENTS TO THE CAUSE
For a dollar donated, after overhead costs of fundraising and admin/management (excluding surplus) 63 cents are available for programs.
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OVERVIEW
About ALS Society of Canada:
ALS Society of Canada is a 3-star charity. It has a B+ results reporting score, which is above average. Its overhead spending is outside of Ci’s reasonable range, and it has reserve funds to cover its annual program costs for one year and nine months.
Founded in 1977, ALS Society of Canada (ALS Canada) works to improve the lives of people living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). ALS is currently a terminal disease. Each year, around 1,000 Canadians are diagnosed with ALS. 80% of people with ALS die within 2-5 years of diagnosis. ALS Canada’s vision is a world free of ALS. ALS Canada has three main programs: Community Service, National Research, and Advocacy and Public Awareness.
In 2023, ALS Canada spent $3.0m (48% of program spending) on Community Service. It provided over 3,300 equipment items to registered clients in Ontario. 110 support groups came together over the year with over 520 attendees. This equipment helped clients maintain independence and improve their quality of life. Over 600 people across Canada attended Community Service Webinars. Webinars covered a variety of topics, including mental health and travel. 1,407 people living with ALS in Ontario are supported by ALS Canada’s Community Leads. In 2023, the Community Services Team provided 18,288 total interactions. These included in-person visits, virtual visits, texts, emails, and bereavement support.
ALS Society of Canada spent $2.2m (35% of program spending) on National Research in 2023. In 2023, it held five grant competitions and invested in 17 research grants. 281 participants attended the ALS Canada 2023 Research Forum. The forum was a three-day event with 27 presentations.
In 2023, ALS Canada spent $810k (13% of program spending) on Advocacy and Public Awareness. ALS Canada engaged over 35 government officials through 25 meetings in 2023. These meetings were held at the federal and provincial levels to discuss access to approved therapies. Nearly 40 community members across Canada have graduated from the Canadian ALS Learning Institute (CALI). CALI teaches participants about ALS research and advocacy through seven sessions. In 2023, over 55 community members and staff shared their stories through media interviews, blog posts, social media, and email campaigns.
ALS Canada reported that the remaining $270k (4% of program spending) went towards other charitable purposes.
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Results and Impact
Charity Intelligence did not find any quantified outcomes on ALS Society of Canada’s website. This may not be a complete representation of ALS Canada’s results and impact.
This charity is not yet rated on impact (n/r).
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Finances
In 2023, ALS Society of Canada received $8.6m in donations and lottery revenue. Administrative costs are 6% of total revenue (excluding investment income) and fundraising costs are 31% of donations. Overhead spending is 37%, which is outside Ci’s reasonable range. For every dollar donated, 63 cents are available for the cause. In 2023, ALS Canada spent $6.2m (67% of total revenue) on its programs and grants.
In 2023, ALS Canada had a deficit of $31k and spent $22k on capital expenditures.
At the end of 2023, ALS Canada has $12.0m in reserve funds. $1.3m of its reserve funds are donor endowed. Excluding donor-endowed funds, ALS Canada has reserve funds to cover 175% or one year and nine months of its annual program costs.
This charity report is an update that has been sent to ALS Society of Canada for review. Changes and edits may be forthcoming.
Updated on June 25, 2024 by Thea Clark.
Financial Review
Fiscal year ending December
|
2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Administrative costs as % of revenues | 5.7% | 5.3% | 5.4% |
| Fundraising costs as % of donations | 30.8% | 34.0% | 30.5% |
| Total overhead spending | 36.5% | 39.3% | 35.9% |
| Program cost coverage (%) | 174.7% | 189.2% | 228.5% |
Summary Financial StatementsAll figures in $000s |
2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Donations | 8,584 | 8,263 | 7,426 |
| Goods in kind | 199 | 255 | 185 |
| Lotteries (net) | 18 | 26 | 18 |
| Investment income | 530 | (949) | (48) |
| Total revenues | 9,330 | 7,595 | 7,581 |
| Program costs | 4,973 | 4,745 | 4,067 |
| Grants | 1,241 | 912 | 1,515 |
| Administrative costs | 503 | 452 | 414 |
| Fundraising costs | 2,644 | 2,809 | 2,261 |
| Total spending | 9,361 | 8,918 | 8,258 |
| Cash flow from operations | (31) | (1,323) | (678) |
| Capital spending | 22 | 0 | 0 |
| Funding reserves | 12,039 | 11,879 | 13,907 |
Note: DEFERRED REVENUE: The charity uses deferred accounting. To show donors this information on a consistent basis, Ci adjusted for deferred revenues. This affected revenues by $51k in F2023, ($633k) in F2022, and $29k in F2021. LOTTERIES: Ci reported lottery revenue on a net basis, removing open ticket expenses from revenue. This affected revenue and expenses by ($24k) in 2023, ($31k) in F2022, and ($16k) in F2021. UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS: Ci included unrealized gain (loss) on investment in revenue, affecting revenues by $72k in F2023, ($1.3m) in F2022, and ($427k) in F2021. GOODS IN KIND: Ci removed donated goods in kind from donations, affecting donation revenue by ($199k) in F2023, ($255k) in F2022, and ($185k) in F2021. AMORTIZATION: Ci removed amortization from program, administrative, and fundraising costs on a pro-rata basis. Ci included deferred lease inducements ($11k) in amortization.
Salary Information
$350k + |
0 |
$300k - $350k |
0 |
$250k - $300k |
1 |
$200k - $250k |
0 |
$160k - $200k |
1 |
$120k - $160k |
2 |
$80k - $120k |
6 |
$40k - $80k |
0 |
< $40k |
0 |
Information from most recent CRA Charities Directorate filings for F2023
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Comments & Contact
Comments added by the Charity:
This comment was submitted by the charity on August 16, 2023:
The ALS Society of Canada works to change what it means to live with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, an unrelenting and currently terminal disease.
Grounded in and informed by the Canadian ALS community, we respond to the urgent unmet need for life-changing treatments by investing in high-quality research that will fuel scientific discovery and by engaging industry, supporting increased clinical capacity and advocating for equitable, affordable, and timely access to proven therapies.
Responding to the tremendous need for current and credible ALS knowledge, awareness, and education, we empower Canadians affected by ALS to navigate the current realities of ALS, be informed consumers of ALS information, and advocate effectively for change. In Ontario, we provide direct community services and critical equipment and mobility devices to help people navigate ALS.
Founded in 1977, ALS Canada is a registered charity that receives no government funding – our work is powered by generous donors who share our vision of a future without ALS.
ALS Canada has consistently transformed donor contributions into vital programs and services, research investments, and advocacy work to help thousands of Canadians with ALS and their families live better today. Through an enduring relationship with Brain Canada, research investments are further leveraged to double the impact of donor dollars at ALS Canada.
ALS Canada has been able to do this with the astute stewardship of donor dollars. The costs associated with our fundraising activities are strictly monitored and, year-over-year, result in our ability to provide continued support to people affected by ALS. ALS Canada has developed a fiscally responsible, diversified fundraising portfolio to mitigate the risk to revenue, to manage significant fluctuations, and to allow for ongoing growth. Our reporting policies are transparent and responsible, and adherent to all government and industry standards. Our audited financial statements are made available to all supporters and the public every year.
ALS Canada is a careful steward of every donor dollar and donors should feel confident that their support impacts people living with ALS every day. Visit our website for more information on donating with confidence to ALS Canada.
Charity Contact
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