519 Church Street
Toronto, ON M4Y 2C9
Executive Director: Maura Lawless
Board Chair: Paul Saguil

Charitable Reg. #:11931 0761 RR0001

STAR RATING

Ci's Star Rating is calculated based on the following independent metrics:

[Charity Rating: 3/5]

✔+

FINANCIAL TRANSPARENCY

Audited financial statements for current and previous years available on the charity’s website.

B-

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.

47%

CENTS TO THE CAUSE

For a dollar donated, after overhead costs of fundraising and admin/management (excluding surplus) 47 cents are available for programs.



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OVERVIEW

About The 519:

The 519 is a 3-star charity. It is financially transparent but has overhead spending outside of Ci’s reasonable range and a below-average results reporting grade.

Founded in 1975, The 519, formerly known as The 519 Church Street Community Centre, is a community centre and a City of Toronto multi-service agency that commits to the health, happiness and inclusion of the 2SLGBTQ+ communities. According to the charity, 64% of police-reported hate crimes in Canada in 2021 were based on sexual orientation, and 77% of trans respondents have experienced severe online harassment, including physical threats, stalking, sexual harassment, doxing, and swatting. The 519 strives to promote understanding and respect towards the communities and provides services to 2SLGBTQ+ individuals to reduce the impact of discrimination on their lives. It does not provide a breakdown of spending among its programs and services.

The 519 offers many different services to the 2SLGBTQ+ communities, including health, financial, drop-in, housing, and legal services. In F2022, the charity distributed 16,099 harm reduction and safer sex kits and administered 559 covid-19 vaccines, 142 flu vaccines, and 2,626 MPox vaccines. During the same year, the financial service team helped 1,857 clients get back more than $4.0m in tax refunds. For Drop-in services, The 519 served 224,025 meals in F2022 and provided 46 Sunday Drop-in workshops and sessions for people to socialize and get resources. The charity also collaborates with Homes First to operate a shelter dedicated to 2SLGBTQ+ adults. It housed 17 people in F2022. For its legal services, it provided 24 public legal education sessions and 22 training events to build awareness of law, democracy and rights for the 2SLGBTQ+ communities.

Along with services, The 519 organizes art, culture and recreational opportunities for its clients. In F2022, it hosted more than 70 events from Arts in the Park to Zumba classes in Barbara Hall Park for more than 3,000 participants. In F2022, The 519 Education and Training team provided more than 100 organizations with insights, tools and understanding to create environments that are 2SLGBTQ+ inclusive, respectful and welcoming.

 

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Results and Impact

In F2022, The 519 reported that its Food Security program prevented 269,861 kilograms of greenhouse gases.

While Charity Intelligence highlights these key results, they may not be a complete representation of The 519’s results and impact.

The 519 is not yet rated on impact (n/r).

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Finances

In F2022, The 519 received donations of $3.7m. The charity also received $4.8m in government funding in F2022, representing 55% of total revenues. Administrative costs are 22% of revenues (less investment income), and fundraising costs are 31% of donations. This results in overhead spending of 53%. For every dollar donated, 47 cents go to the cause. This is outside of Ci’s reasonable range for overhead spending.

The 519 has $3.1m in reserve funds. The charity could cover 56% or around seven months of its annual program costs with its reserves.

Charity Intelligence has sent this update to The 519 for review. Changes and edits may be forthcoming.

Updated on July 5, 2023 by Krystie Nguyen.

Financial Review


Financial Ratios

Fiscal year ending December
202220212020
Administrative costs as % of revenues 21.8%23.1%23.8%
Fundraising costs as % of donations 31.0%16.2%15.4%
Total overhead spending 52.8%39.3%39.1%
Program cost coverage (%) 56.1%84.2%50.3%

Summary Financial Statements

All figures in $000s
202220212020
Donations 3,6523,1333,171
Government funding 4,8003,7243,303
Fees for service 296240195
Investment income 28157
Other income 161714
Total revenues 8,7927,1306,690
Program costs 5,6013,8263,945
Administrative costs 1,9141,6461,588
Fundraising costs 1,132506487
Total spending 8,6475,9796,020
Cash flow from operations 1451,151670
Capital spending 339942
Funding reserves 3,1403,2201,985

Note: Ci adjusted for deferred donations, affecting revenues by $79k in F2022, $431k in F2021, and $253k in F2020. Ci adjusted for deferred capital contributions, affecting revenues by $4k in F2022, $15k in F2021, and ($9k) in F2020.

Salary Information

Full-time staff: 68

Avg. compensation: $55,809

Top 10 staff salary range:

$350k +
0
$300k - $350k
0
$250k - $300k
0
$200k - $250k
0
$160k - $200k
0
$120k - $160k
1
$80k - $120k
7
$40k - $80k
2
< $40k
0

Information from most recent CRA Charities Directorate filings for F2022

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Comments & Contact

Comments added by the Charity:

No comments have been added by the charity.

Charity Contact

Website: www.the519.org
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Tel: 416-392-6874

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Charitable Registration Number: 80340 7956 RR0001