Children's Cottage Society is a 4-star charity with Average demonstrated impact. It is financially transparent and has overhead spending within Ci's reasonable range. It has an above-average results reporting grade.

Founded in 1986, Children’s Cottage Society (CCS) builds strong children and healthy families in Calgary. It offers both harm prevention and support services. CCS states that ongoing negative experiences in early years of life increase a person’s risk of developing later health issues. The charity runs four programs: Housing and Homelessness; Crisis Nursery; Family Resource Network; and Community Programs. Charity Intelligence calculates CCS spent $5.6m on its programs in F2024.

A Charity Intelligence 2024 Top 10 Impact: Canadian Youth Charities.

The Housing and Homelessness program received 38% of program spending. CCS runs Brenda’s House, a temporary shelter for homeless families. Brenda’s House provides shelter along with support to help families move back into their own housing. Brenda’s House served 130 children and 74 families in F2024. Its HomeLinks subprogram helps families stay housed and become self-sufficient. HomeLinks served 109 children and 62 families in F2024.

The Crisis Nursery program received 37% of program spending. Families experiencing a crisis or difficulty can request care for up to three days in the Nursery. The Nursery provides a safe space for their child aged nine or younger during that time. Parents may request care for a variety of reasons, such as a health concern in the family or exhaustion. The Crisis Nursery served 941 children and 572 families in F2024.

The Family Resource Network received 15% of program spending. The Family Resource Network connects families to free resources, activities and supports. 1,630 children and 761 vulnerable families had access to free resources and activities through the Family Resource Network in F2024.

Community Programs received 11% of program spending. Life coaches work with vulnerable families to keep them together and prevent the need for foster care in the Early Years subprogram. Early Years served 101 children and 78 families in F2024. Nurturing Newborns offers prenatal support and infant respite care for families lacking support. Nurturing Newborns served 88 children and six families in F2024.

On April 8, 2024, CCS launched its new centre to serve Calgary children and families. This 35,000 square foot centre includes a 20 bed Crisis Nursery, mental health services, an infant safe surrender site, and more.

In F2024 Children’s Cottage Society received $5.6m in cash donations. The charity also received $3.8m in government funding, representing 35% of total revenues.

Administrative costs are 10% of revenues (excluding investment income). Fundraising costs are 9% of donations. This results in total overhead spending of 19%. For every dollar donated, 81 cents are available to go to the cause. This falls within Ci’s reasonable range for overhead spending.

In F2024 CCS spent $5.6m on its programs, which is 52% of its revenue. In F2024 it had a surplus of $3.7m, although it spent $11.7m in capital expenditures on developing and constructing its new centre.

Children’s Cottage Society has $3.6m in gross funding reserves and $7.8m in interest-bearing debt. This interest-bearing debt consists of one-year mortgage financing. This results in net funding reserves of ($4.3m). Excluding $36k in donor-endowed funds, the gross funding reserves can cover 64%, or seven months, of program costs. 

This charity report is an update that has been sent for review to Children’s Cottage Society. Changes and edits may be forthcoming. 

Updated on July 17, 2024, by Grady Simpson.