Simon House Residence Society is a 4-star, financially transparent charity with Good demonstrated impact. It has a results reporting grade of A-, which is above average. Its overhead spending is outside Ci’s reasonable range. Its reserve funds can cover six months of annual program costs. 

Founded in 1982, Simon House Residence Society (Simon House) is a Calgary-based recovery centre for adult men struggling with alcohol or drug addiction. The charity aims to empower individuals to achieve long-term recovery.  

A Charity Intelligence 2024 Top 5 Impact: Calgary Charities.

Simon House follows the American Society of Addiction Medicine definition of addiction as a primary, chronic disease of brain reward, motivation, and memory. The charity reports that the overall cost of substance abuse in 2020 was $49 billion in Canada and $7.2 billion in Alberta.  

The charity runs a partnership with Stonewall Recovery Centre, another Calgary-based addiction recovery centre. Stonewall treats 18- to 24-year-olds in the 2SLGBTQ+ community. 

It runs four main programs: Active Treatment, Aftercare, Familycare, and Indigenous Services. The charity does not provide a program spending breakdown. 

Active Treatment runs 12-week residential recovery programs. Structured classes and routines are offered, alongside compulsory counseling in individual and group settings. During the program, clients must attend five Alcoholics/Narcotics/Cocaine Anonymous (AA/NA/CA) meetings, weekly alumni speaker meetings, monthly graduation meetings, and daily morning meditations and house meetings. In 2023, Simon House served 337 clients, of whom 192 graduated.  

Aftercare ensures long-term recovery once clients have graduated. Individuals receive individual and group mentorship and family support and conferencing. 

Familycare runs six weeks of two virtual sessions a week. It is designed to heal, support, and empower families. Participation is open to anyone who is impacted by a loved one struggling with addiction.  

Indigenous Services supports learning of Indigenous culture and history. Simon House employs a full-time Indigenous Coordinator to ensure traditions and customs are respected. In 2023, the charity reports that it served 75 Indigenous clients, of whom 39 graduated. 

Simon House received $628k in donations and special events revenue in F2023. It also received $2.3m in government funding, although it reports this as fees for service. Administrative costs were 10% of revenues, less investment income. Fundraising costs, including those associated with its Stonewall partnership, were 27% of donations. Total overhead spending is 37%. For every dollar donated, 63 cents are available to go to the cause. This is outside Ci’s reasonable range for overhead spending. 

Simon House had $1.3m in funding reserves in F2023. These reserves can cover six months of annual program costs. 

This report is an update that has been sent to Simon House for review. Changes and edits may be forthcoming.

Updated on June 19, 2024 by Stellar Zhang.