CAUSE Canada

About CAUSE Canada:

Founded in 1984, CAUSE Canada (Cause) is a Christian-based international relief and development charity that aims to empower communities and individuals in disadvantaged regions overcome poverty. Cause’s mission is to provide sustainable, integrated community development in rural West Africa and Central America through collaborative long-term relationships. Cause operates in Guatemala (44% of program spending), Honduras (36% of program spending) and Sierra Leone (20% of program spending).

CAUSE Canada’s Kids Sponsorship program supports education for children in Sierra Leone. In F2015, Cause repaired wells, roofs and furniture in 17 primary schools, benefitting over 5,000 students. Further, 12 teachers presented lessons to over 4,000 students over the radio. CAUSE Canada’s Kids Bursary program offers scholarships to disadvantaged girls from secondary school, allowing them to graduate and earn a university degree. In F2015, Cause provided tuition fees to 23 female students.

CAUSE Canada’s Women’s Literacy program offers literacy, leadership and business training for illiterate women. In Phase I of the program, 113 women took courses in 6 different groups. Beginning in 2015, 205 women enrolled in Phase II of the Literacy program.

CAUSE Canada’s Microcredit program provided loan capital and training to 1,644 clients in Guatemala, 742 clients in Honduras, and 801 clients in Sierra Leone. Cause reports that, over the last 8 years, 2 clients have defaulted on their loans.

CAUSE Canada’s Maternal-Child Health program educates communities about pregnancy, breastfeeding, nutrition, malnutrition screening and healthcare. Cause reports that 7,543 mothers in 1,209 communities have been counselled on maternal nutrition. Further, 11,522 children were screened for malnutrition, with 97% at a normal weight and height.

Financial Review:

CAUSE Canada is a medium-sized charity, with donations and special events revenues of $1.3m in F2015. Its administrative costs are 7% of revenues and its fundraising costs are 21% of donations. For every $1 donated to the charity, 72 cents is put towards its programs, falling within Ci’s reasonable range. The charity’s funding reserves of $241k result in a program cost coverage ratio of 17%. This means that it can cover 2 months of its annual programs using its existing reserves.

The charity reports that it employs 114 full-time employees at a low average salary of $5,615. However, the charity only reports to employ 45 overseas staff. 

This charity report is an update that is being reviewed by CAUSE Canada. Changes and edits may be forthcoming.

Updated on August 3, 2016 by Lynn Tay.