Founded in 2000, Arthritis Research Canada’s (ARC) mission is to “transform the lives of people living with arthritis through research and engagement.” Its vision is “a future where research-based services, tools and knowledge empower people living with arthritis to triumph over pain and disability.” The term arthritis is used to describe the more than 100 conditions that affect joints, the tissues which surround joints, and other connective tissues. The charity reports that arthritis affects over 5.6 million Canadians and costs the Canadian economy $33 billion annually. ARC also notes that only 2% of research dollars spent in Canada are devoted to arthritis. 

Arthritis Research Canada has facilities in British Columbia, Alberta and Quebec. Its multi-disciplinary research team of medical doctors, research scientists, and trainees study the causes of arthritis and addresses issues that impact people living with arthritis, including arthritis prevention, diagnosis, prognosis and quality of life. Arthritis Research Canada partners with universities, hospitals, funding agencies, arthritis treatment centres, The Arthritis Society and provincial governments to conduct its research. In F2018, ARC funded 75 research projects. This includes projects on the effect of price caps on generic drugs, the impact of running on joints, arthritis medication safety during pregnancy, self-management of rheumatoid arthritis using a fitness tracker, and results that show early treatment can give back years of healthy life. 

Arthritis Research Canada is a medium-sized charity, receiving $3.7m in donations and special events fundraising revenues in F2019. Donations include $2.8m in research grants that ARC holds for its researchers. Administrative costs are 6% of revenues (excluding investment income) and fundraising costs are 12% of donations and special events fundraising. For every dollar donated to the charity, 82 cents go towards its programs, which is within Ci’s reasonable range for overhead spending.  

The charity’s funding reserves of $15.0m include $4.9m in restricted research grants and doctors designations that ARC holds for its researchers. This results in a high program cost coverage ratio of 509%. This means that the charity can fund five years of its annual programs using its existing reserves. 

This charity report is an update that was sent to Arthritis Research Canada for review. Changes and edits may be forthcoming. 

Updated on July 9, 2019 by Caroline McKenna.