As per its CRA filing, Chabad Lubavitch Youth Organization (CLYO) provides religious instructions, helps the less fortunate, and provides shelter and food. The charity spent $915k on programs in F2018; however, it is unclear what programs the charity operates. CLYO does not have a working website or publicly available information about its programs online. The most recent program information available with the CRA is from 2017. In 2017, CLYO reported that it allocated 34% of spending to food, clothing banks, hostels, or soup kitchen programs, 27% to synagogues and other religious purposes, and 20% to other services for low-income people. The charity has reported the same breakdown since 2015, indicating the information may be inaccurate.

CLYO granted $93k in 2018 and $109k in 2017 to other organizations. This is a significant decrease from 2016, in which the charity reported $3.3m in grants. According to its 2016 T3010 filings, CLYO allocated 99% of grants to Congrégation Beth Chabad Cote St. Luc, which registered with the CRA in 2015. In 2015, 75% of CLYO's grants went to two charities: $3.4m to Beth Chabad of Cote St. Luc and $2.4m to Vaad Mishmeres Mitzvos, which had its charitable status revoked by the CRA in 2017.

As per its T3010 filing, CLYO notes that it spent an undisclosed amount of funds in the USA in 2014 and 2015. In 2016, it states that its employees carried out activities outside Canada, but the charity did not spend any money on these activities. The charity does not report engaging in activities outside Canada in 2018.

The charity lent $160k in 2015 and $197k in 2014 in unsecured, non-interest-bearing loans to affiliated branches with no specific terms of repayment. The charity also lent $97k in 2015 and $331k in 2014 of the same types of loans to other parties. In 2018, the charity lent $33k to other parties, but details were not provided.

Financial analysis was based on the most recent notice to reader received from the CRA (F2018 and F2017) which is unaudited and unreviewed. Chabad Lubavitch Youth Organization had total donations of $1.5m in F2018. Donations have dropped 85% since F2014 without indication of potential reasons.

In F2018, administrative costs were 26% of revenues and fundraising costs were 1% of donations. This results in total overhead spending of 27%. For every dollar donated, 73 cents go to the cause, which is within Ci’s reasonable range for overhead spending. In F2018, the charity had net funding reserves of ($567k), due to mortgages payable of $847k and $111k in other interest-bearing debt. Excluding debt, CLYO could cover 39% of annual program costs with reserves.

The Charities Directorate of Canada recommends every charity with over $250k in donations have audited financial statements. Charity Intelligence recommends that donors seek additional information on this charity prior to donating. 

In F2018, Chabad Lubavitch Youth Organization reported it spent a total of $117k in salaries for 8 full-time employees, resulting in an average salary of $15k. As the salary for a full-time worker is typically much higher, these numbers may be incorrect. The charity did not disclose the range of its full-time employees' salaries in its CRA filings.

This charity report is an update that has been sent to Chabad Lubavitch Youth Organization for review. Changes and edits may be forthcoming.

Updated on July 6, 2021 by Sydney Olexa.