Cystic Fibrosis Canada is a three-star charity. It has an above-average results reporting score of A-. For every dollar donated, 48 cents are available to go towards the cause. Its reserve funds can cover just over two years of annual program costs.

Founded in 1960, Cystic Fibrosis Canada (CFC) aims to end cystic fibrosis by funding research for a cure and advocating for high-quality patient care. Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is an inherited disease that can cause severe damage to the lungs, digestive tract, and other organs. It involves uncontrolled mucus buildup in the body which can lead to nutrient deficiencies, chronic infections, and death in most patients. Cystic Fibrosis Canada states that CF is the most common fatal genetic disease affecting Canadian children and young adults. CFC runs four main programs: Research, Community Engagement, Healthcare, and Advocacy. In fiscal 2024 (year ended January), Cystic Fibrosis Canada spent $6.9m on its programs and grants.

Research was 42% of program spending. CFC’s research funding has resulted in many significant developments in CF research, including the discovery of the CF gene in 1989. In F2024, the charity invested nearly $3 million on new research initiatives aligned with CFC’s new Momentum research strategy.

Community Engagement was 26% of program spending. In 2021, CFC launched the Elevate program that invites members to participate in a range of opportunities. These include informing CFC’s mental health work and providing perspectives on gene therapy. In F2024, the Elevate program has 230 members.

Healthcare was 19% of program spending. In F2023, 286 people were enrolled in five observational clinics, and 184 people were enrolled in 18 interventional clinical trials. The information has not yet been updated for F2024.

Advocacy was 11% of program spending. Cystic Fibrosis Canada runs provincial and national advocacy campaigns to raise awareness and increase support for CF patients. In F2024, more than 1,800 people participated in a letter-writing campaign for coverage of the Trikafta drug.

The remaining 1% of program spending was allocated to other costs.

In F2024, Cystic Fibrosis Canada received $12.4m in donations, down 3% from $12.7m in F2023. Administrative costs are 15% of revenues (less investment income) and fundraising costs are 37% of donations. For every dollar donated, 48 cents are available to go towards the cause. This is outside of Ci’s reasonable range. 

In F2024, CFC spent $6.9m on its programs and grants which represents 47% of total revenues. The charity has $13.9m in reserve funds, which can cover just over two years of annual program costs.

In F2023, the charity used external fundraisers. Cystic Fibrosis Canada paid external fundraisers $55k to raise $42k. This means the cost of raising a dollar via external fundraisers was $1.33. At the time of this profile, the charity’s F2024 T3010 filing with the CRA had not been released yet. Ci is unaware if CFC used external fundraisers in F2024 and will update this profile once that information is released.

Profile updated on June 26, 2024 by Abby Stout.