ALS Society of Canada
STAR RATINGCi's Star Rating is calculated based on the following independent metrics: |
✔+
FINANCIAL TRANSPARENCY
Audited financial statements for current and previous years available on the charity’s website.
A-
RESULTS REPORTING
Grade based on the charity's public reporting of the work it does and the results it achieves.
n/r
DEMONSTRATED IMPACT
The demonstrated impact per dollar Ci calculates from available program information.
NEED FOR FUNDING
Charity's cash and investments (funding reserves) relative to how much it spends on programs in most recent year.
61%
CENTS TO THE CAUSE
For a dollar donated, after overhead costs of fundraising and admin/management (excluding surplus) 61 cents are available for programs.
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OVERVIEW
About ALS Society of Canada:
ALS Society of Canada is a 3-star charity. It is financially transparent and has an above-average results reporting score. However, it has high overhead spending according to Ci’s reasonable range.
Founded in 1977, ALS Society of Canada (ALS Canada) works to improve the lives of people living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). It also funds research to create a future without the disease. ALS causes motor neurons to break down, which leads to muscle weakness, impaired speech, and difficulty breathing. Currently, there is no cure for the disease and 80% of people with ALS die within five years of diagnosis.
ALS Canada has four main programs: Community Service, National Research, Advocacy, and Public Awareness.
In F2022, ALS Canada allocated 51% of program spending ($2.9m) to Community Services. This program provides equipment and support to people living with ALS. In F2022, the charity distributed over 2,800 pieces of equipment worth $1.6m. ALS Canada held 140 virtual support groups. In F2022, ALS Canada’s Community Leads supported 1,289 people living with ALS, their family members, and caregivers. Leads helped people navigate healthcare systems, access community resources, and find support groups
In F2022, ALS Canada allocated 29% of spending ($1.6m) to National Research. The charity also leveraged this funding, in partnership with Brain Canada, for an additional $1.1m invested in research. Through the ALS Canada Research Program, the charity funds peer-reviewed research grants and fosters collaboration. In F2022, the charity funded 14 research grants – nine Discovery Grants, four Trainee Awards, and one Career Transition Award. ALS Canada invests in new areas of research that aim to have high impact. In F2022, the charity also hosted the ALS Canada Research Forum, which attracted 270 participants.
In F2022, ALS Canada allocated 11% of program spending ($603k) to Advocacy. The charity held 30 meetings with 45 government officials in F2022. ALS Canada also led campaigns to increase access to new ALS therapies for patients. The charity submitted four proposals to the government about these therapies. It had over 450 people take part in an e-advocacy campaign about equitable access to treatment.
ALS Canada allocated 5% of program spending ($291k) to Public Awareness in F2022. This year, the charity was able to host its Walk to End ALS in person again. The walk included 368 teams and 2,500+ individuals within Ontario. ALS Canada also reached 300,000 people with its June ALS Awareness Month Campaign about ALS clinical trials in Canada during F2022.
ALS Canada allocated the remaining 4% of program spending ($247k) to other charitable expenses.
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Results and Impact
In F2022, ALS Canada’s advocacy work led Health Canada to approve two new therapies, ALBRIOZA and Radicava, to treat ALS. The charity continued to advocate for equitable access to these therapies following their approval.
While Ci highlights these key results, they may not be a complete representation of ALS Canada's results and impact. This charity is not yet rated on impact (n/r).
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Finances
In F2022, ALS Society of Canada reported total donations of $8.3m. Administrative costs are 5% of revenues (excluding investment income) and fundraising costs are 34% of donations. This means overhead costs are 39%. For every dollar donated to the charity, 61 cents go to the cause. This is outside Ci’s reasonable range for overhead spending, and the charity has been outside the reasonable range for the past three years.
ALS Society of Canada has reserve funds of $11.9m, of which $1.3m is donor endowed. Like many charities funding medical research, ALS Canada has multi-year funding commitments. In F2022, ALS Canada's research grant commitments totaled $2.6m, with $1.7m to be granted in 2023. Excluding ALS Canada's donor-endowed funds, the charity’s funding reserves can cover annual program costs and research grants for over one year and ten months.
This charity report is an update that has been sent to ALS Society of Canada for review. Comments and edits may be forthcoming.
Updated on August 19, 2023 by Clive Stevens.
Financial Review
Fiscal year ending December
|
2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
---|---|---|---|
Administrative costs as % of revenues | 5.3% | 5.4% | 5.3% |
Fundraising costs as % of donations | 34.0% | 30.5% | 29.8% |
Total overhead spending | 39.3% | 35.9% | 35.1% |
Program cost coverage (%) | 189.2% | 228.5% | 240.4% |
Summary Financial StatementsAll figures in $000s |
2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
---|---|---|---|
Donations | 8,263 | 7,426 | 6,443 |
Goods in kind | 255 | 185 | 180 |
Lotteries (net) | 26 | 18 | 20 |
Investment income | 1,747 | 806 | 150 |
Total revenues | 10,291 | 8,435 | 6,793 |
Program costs | 4,745 | 4,067 | 3,883 |
Grants | 912 | 1,515 | 2,184 |
Administrative costs | 452 | 414 | 353 |
Fundraising costs | 2,809 | 2,261 | 1,917 |
Total spending | 8,918 | 8,258 | 8,336 |
Cash flow from operations | 1,373 | 177 | (1,543) |
Capital spending | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Funding reserves | 11,879 | 13,907 | 15,727 |
Note: To report on a cash basis, Ci adjusted donations by changes in deferred revenue from non-government sources. This affected revenues by ($633k) in F2022, $29k in F2021, and ($54k) in F2020. Ci adjusted for unrealized gains and losses, affecting revenues by $1.3m in F2022, $427k in F2021, and ($464k) in F2020. Ci reports lotteries net of expenses, decreasing revenues and expenses by $31k in F2022, $16k in F2021, and $17k in F2020.
Salary Information
$350k + |
0 |
$300k - $350k |
0 |
$250k - $300k |
1 |
$200k - $250k |
0 |
$160k - $200k |
1 |
$120k - $160k |
1 |
$80k - $120k |
7 |
$40k - $80k |
0 |
< $40k |
0 |
Information from most recent CRA Charities Directorate filings for F2022
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Comments & Contact
Comments added by the Charity:
This comment was submitted by the charity on August 16, 2023:
The ALS Society of Canada works to change what it means to live with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, an unrelenting and currently terminal disease.
Grounded in and informed by the Canadian ALS community, we respond to the urgent unmet need for life-changing treatments by investing in high-quality research that will fuel scientific discovery and by engaging industry, supporting increased clinical capacity and advocating for equitable, affordable, and timely access to proven therapies.
Responding to the tremendous need for current and credible ALS knowledge, awareness, and education, we empower Canadians affected by ALS to navigate the current realities of ALS, be informed consumers of ALS information, and advocate effectively for change. In Ontario, we provide direct community services and critical equipment and mobility devices to help people navigate ALS.
Founded in 1977, ALS Canada is a registered charity that receives no government funding – our work is powered by generous donors who share our vision of a future without ALS.
ALS Canada has consistently transformed donor contributions into vital programs and services, research investments, and advocacy work to help thousands of Canadians with ALS and their families live better today. Through an enduring relationship with Brain Canada, research investments are further leveraged to double the impact of donor dollars at ALS Canada.
ALS Canada has been able to do this with the astute stewardship of donor dollars. The costs associated with our fundraising activities are strictly monitored and, year-over-year, result in our ability to provide continued support to people affected by ALS. ALS Canada has developed a fiscally responsible, diversified fundraising portfolio to mitigate the risk to revenue, to manage significant fluctuations, and to allow for ongoing growth. Our reporting policies are transparent and responsible, and adherent to all government and industry standards. Our audited financial statements are made available to all supporters and the public every year.
ALS Canada is a careful steward of every donor dollar and donors should feel confident that their support impacts people living with ALS every day. Visit our website for more information on donating with confidence to ALS Canada.
Charity Contact
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Tel: 416-497-2267