Canadian Red Cross is a 2-star charity with Low demonstrated impact. It has a B+ grade for results reporting, which is above average. Its funding reserves are within Ci’s reasonable range and can cover six months of annual program costs. For every dollar donated to Canadian Red Cross, 65 cents are available to go to the cause, which is within Ci’s reasonable range.

Canadian Red Cross (CRC) is a humanitarian aid charity that helps people and communities in Canada and around the world prepare for, respond to and recover from emergencies. Founded in 1896, CRC is one of 191 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies that make up the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the world’s largest humanitarian network.

The charity addresses the growing risks posed by disasters, emergencies and other humanitarian crises. It reports that in 2025, Canada experienced its second-worst wildfire season on record, with more than 8.9 million hectares burned. CRC states that First Nations communities are about 18 times more likely than non-Indigenous communities to be evacuated during an emergency, while recovery from a major disaster takes an average of three years. Canadian Red Cross works to reduce these impacts by providing immediate emergency assistance, supporting long-term recovery and helping communities prepare for future emergencies.

CRC’s programs include Emergency Management, International Cooperation, Community Health and Wellbeing, and Prevention and Safety. In F2026, the charity spent $573.8m on its programs.

Emergency Management received 75% ($429.6m) of program spending in F2026. The program provides immediate assistance during disasters and supports individuals, businesses and communities through longer-term recovery. In F2026, more than 93,500 people in Canada registered with the Red Cross following an emergency, including more than 60,000 people affected by the 2025 wildfires. Those registered received support such as lodging, food, financial assistance and transportation. The charity provided more than 68,900 relief items, supported 11,500+ households through case management and housing recovery, assisted 314 small businesses with recovery, and supported 13 recovery operations. During the 2025 wildfire response, the organization operated for more than 130 consecutive days, booked 285,000+ hotel room nights and supported 1,250+ flights carrying more than 16,750 evacuees.

International Cooperation represented 11% or $65.4m of F2026 program spending. It provides humanitarian assistance and promotes the protection of civilians affected by armed conflict and disasters. Following the March 2025 earthquakes in Myanmar, which affected more than six million people, Canadian Red Cross provided more than 3,000 tarps, supported mobile health teams that treated more than 1,800 patients and contributed to shelter recovery assistance. Following Hurricane Melissa in the Caribbean, the charity shipped more than 23,000 relief items to Jamaica and deployed an emergency medical clinic team. It also provided more than 5,000 relief items and pharmaceutical kits to Cuba.

Community Health and Wellbeing accounted for 11% ($63.5m) of program costs in F2026. The program provides health, social and community services that help people maintain their independence, wellbeing and connections to others. In F2026, the charity loaned 330,427 pieces of health equipment, such as walkers, wheelchairs and crutches, and made 114,783 contacts with people who could benefit from emotional support, social interaction and stronger community connections. Trained volunteers and staff provided nearly 2.7 million minutes of connection through 87,274 phone calls, while community services included 242,231 meals and 103,711 community transportation rides.

Prevention and Safety received $15.3m or 3% of program spending in F2026. The program helps people prevent injuries and respond effectively to emergencies through first aid and other safety education. In F2026, Canadian Red Cross trained 958,933 people in First Aid and CPR and provided drowning prevention courses and swimming lessons to 550 people in Indigenous communities.

Canadian Red Cross's audited financial statements use activity-based costing, which is a best practice. Ci used the charity's T3010 filing with the CRA to report government funding, fees for service, investment income, and international donations, as the charity's financial statements did not disclose these items. 

The charity had total revenues of $660.8m in F2026. It received $157.5m in Canadian donations and special events revenue, representing 24% of revenue, and $2.2m in international donations. Government funding was $444.9m, accounting for 67% of revenue and the charity collected $20.7m in fees for service.

CRC spent $573.8m on its programs, which is 87% of its revenue. The charity recorded a surplus of $13.2m in F2026.

Administrative costs were $15.8m, representing 2% of revenue (excluding investment income). The charity spent $51.4m on fundraising, equal to 33% of donations. Total overhead spending was 35%. For every dollar donated to Canadian Red Cross, 65 cents are available to go to the cause. This is within Ci’s reasonable range.

CRC uses external fundraisers, as reported on its T3010. In F2026, the charity paid the external fundraisers $8.0m to collect $21.9m in donations. This equates to a cost of 37 cents to raise one dollar using external fundraisers.

Canadian Red Cross held $301.6m in reserve funds (cash and investments) in F2026, of which $2.3m is donor endowed. Excluding donor-endowed funds, these reserves can cover six months of annual program costs. This is within Ci’s reasonable range.

This is a charity update that has been sent to Canadian Red Cross by Neela Jalilian on August 24, 2026.