Children's Cottage Society (CHCSC) 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 average results reporting grade.

Founded in 1986, Children's Cottage Society helps prevent harm and neglect to children in Calgary. It aims to build strong children and safe, nurturing families through prevention programs and family support services. Parents seek help from Children's Cottage Society for reasons including homelessness, poor physical or mental health, and family violence. Children's Cottage Society has helped more than 72,000 children since its opening. The charity operates four main programs: Crisis Nursery, Housing and Homelessness, Family Resource Network, and Community Outreach. 

A Charity Intelligence 2022 Top 10 Canadian Youth Impact Charity

In F2023, Children's Cottage Society's Crisis Nursery program accounted for 40% of total program costs. The program offers free short-term childcare (up to 72 hours) for children aged newborn to eight years. The nursery is operated by trained child and family support workers 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Crisis Nursery served 814 children and 534 families in F2023.

Children's Cottage Society allocated 34% of program spending to Housing and Homelessness in F2023. HouseLinks is an intensive case management program that helps families experiencing homelessness find and move into homes. In F2023, Children's Cottage Society's housing programs reached 108 children and 55 families.

Children's Cottage Society's Family Resource Network made up 15% of program spending in F2023. The family resource network is a collaboration of agencies providing free programs to families with children under 18 in West Calgary. Members receive support with parenting skills, information and parenting strategies, and counselling support and resources. The Family Resource Network served 667 children and 190 families in F2023. 

In F2023, Children's Cottage Society allocated 10% of program spending to Community Programs. Its Infant Respite program offers parents with children aged newborn to six months to have a worker come to their home and care for their infant while they rest. The program helped 66 children and 59 families in F2023. Children's Cottage Society's Early Years program teaches parents parenting skills and healthy child development information. In F2023, the Early Years programs reached 94 children and 77 families. The charity also offers home visitation services that served 171 children and 93 families in F2023.

Children's Cottage Society mentions Brenda's House on its website but does not include it in its program spending breakdown. The charity states that Brenda's House is an emergency shelter that hosts 14 families at a time. Children's Cottage Society reports that Brenda's House hosted 150 children and 81 families in F2023.

Children's Cottage Society had total donations of $10.3m in F2023, up 79% from F2022 and 159% from F2021. Administrative costs are 8% of revenues (excluding investment income), and fundraising costs are 5% of donations. This results in total overhead spending of 13%. For every dollar donated, 87 cents go to the cause, which is within Ci's reasonable range for overhead spending.

Children's Cottage Society has $4.7m in reserve funds (cash and investments), which can cover 82% or almost ten months of its annual program costs.

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

Updated on June 28, 2023, by Sydney Olexa.