Calgary Flames Foundation is a 2-star charity. The charity has an average results reporting grade and is financially transparent. Its overhead costs are outside Ci's reasonable range for overhead spending. 

Founded in 1983, Calgary Flames Foundation (CFF) is the charitable arm of the Calgary Flames NHL hockey team. The charity states it raises funds to improve the lives of Southern Albertans. Its programs focus on health and wellness, amateur sports, inclusion, and education. The charity spent $5.0m on its programs and grants in F2023.

The Health and Wellness program received 53% of program spending. The charity funds the Flames YMCA Grade 6 program which provides a free YMCA membership for all Grade 6 students in Calgary. In F2023, it funded 5,320 memberships. CFF partners with the Rotary/Flames House, which offers respite and end-of-life care to children. In F2023 the House provided 255 admissions and 466 counseling sessions. Children spent 1,230 nights at the House. CFF also partners with Kids Cancer Care to fund the Peer Program and Camp Kindle. Both provide support to children with Cancer. In F2023 355 kids attended Camp Kindle. The Peer Program supported 109 kids with movement therapy.

The Grassroots Sports program received 35% of program spending. CFF funds amateur sports and recreation so that everyone can take part. The charity's Jr. Flames Program provides eight weeks of hockey practice and games. It features an event in the Scotiabank Saddledome, the Calgary Flames NHL arena. In F2023 there were 281 Jr. Flames players. The Flames EvenStrength program provides financial support for fees required to play hockey. In F2023 the EvenStrength program provided $310k to 477 participants (an average of $695 per person). The Calgary Flames Sports Bank provides sports equipment and supplies to youth. In F2023 the Sports Bank distributed 13,086 pieces of equipment. SuperHEROS is an on-ice program for youth with cognitive and physical challenges. In F2023 there were 75 SuperHEROS players.

The Inclusion Program received 7% of program spending. In F2022 CFF and Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation (CSEC) began the CSEC Inclusion program. CFF has committed to invest $2m in sport inclusion, diversity, and equality. The charity funds the Flames PX3 Roller-Sled program for people with physical disabilities. In F2023 five roller-sled clinics were each run five times.

The Education program received 5% of program spending. CFF supports education initiatives for students of all ages. Calgary Flames Reading… Give it a Shot! incentivizes children to read more by giving hockey cards in exchange for time reading. In F2023 there were 45,720 participants and it distributed 1,905 books. Flames Future Goals program connects STEM to hockey to create more engaging learning. In F2023 57 schools ran the program. CFF partners with Flames@School to motivate students to be healthy and active by providing an inside look at Calgary Flames players. In F2023 135,000 students across Canada participated among 475 schools.

In F2023 Calgary Flames Foundation received $1.6m in cash donations and special event fundraising. In F2023, CFF received $2.7m in 50/50 raffles (net of expenses). This is a significant 58% decrease from F2022. 

Administrative costs are 8% of revenues (excluding investment income). Fundraising costs are 59% of donations. This results in total overhead spending of 67%. For every dollar donated, 33 cents go to the cause. This falls outside Ci’s reasonable range for overhead spending.

In F2023 CFF spent $5.0m on its grants, which is 99% of its revenue. Grants, as reported in Ci’s analysis, include disbursements and program costs. The charity’s financials do not disclose the two items separately. In F2023 it had a deficit of $1.2m.

Calgary Flames Foundation has $13.0m in funding reserves. In F2023, $11.0m are in guaranteed investment certificates (GICs) with the remaining balance in cash. This can cover 262%, or 2.6 years of its annual program spending.

Calgary Flames Foundation has committed to donating $4.8m to other charities from F2024 to F2027. This is 37% of its current funding reserves.  Recipients include Rotary/Flames House, CFF Inclusion Program, Kids Cancer Care Foundation and YMCA Calgary.

Calgary Flames Foundation’s T3010 CRA filings for F2022 and F2021 report no paid staff. Yet, financial statements show personnel costs of $204k in F2022 and $138k in F2021. These were reimbursements paid for staff at Calgary Flames Limited Partnership (CFLP). Calgary Flames Foundation receives free office space, equipment, and support services from CFLP. CFF paid CFLP $836k for fundraising events and 50/50 support and $261k for staff reimbursement in F2023.

KPMG conducted a review engagement for CFF’s financial statements. Procedures performed in a review are substantially less in extent than those in an audit conducted in accordance with Canadian generally accepted auditing standards. Accordingly, KPMG did not express an audit opinion on CFF’s financial statements.

This charity report is an update that has been sent for review to Calgary Flames Foundation. Changes and edits may be forthcoming. 

Updated on June 11, 2024, by Grady Simpson.

Tel: 404-777-2177