Elizabeth Fry Society of Calgary is a 3-star, partially financially transparent charity. Its results reporting score is B-, which is below average. Its overhead spending is within Ci’s reasonable range. Charity Intelligence has given it an impact rating of Average impact per dollar spent. 

Founded in 1975, Elizabeth Fry Society of Calgary (EFry) aims to reduce the over-representation of Indigenous women, men, and youth involved in the criminal justice system. It reports that 50% of all incarcerated women in Canada are Indigenous, and 80% of incarcerated Canadian women are imprisoned for poverty-related crimes, the majority being failure to pay a fine. A survey of Indigenous peoples in the provincial correctional system found that 74% did not have enough money to meet their basic needs at the time of their arrest.

EFry runs four main programs: Restorative Justice, Transitional Housing Support, Emotional Wellness & Employment Readiness (SAGE), and the Youth Mentorship Program. It does not provide a program spending breakdown.

The Restorative Justice program partners with the Calgary Indigenous Court to run the Soksipaitapiisin program. Named after the Blackfoot word for the good life, it provides case management and helps Indigenous individuals involved in the criminal justice system fulfill court-ordered healing circles. Healing circles are a traditional Indigenous practice used to reintegrate offenders into the community. They are recognized by the Alberta Court of Justice as an alternative approach to criminal justice. EFry facilitates these circles through connecting offenders with Indigenous elders and community members. In F2022, the Soksipaitapiisin program had 159 participants.

The Transitional Housing Support program runs Dana’s House for criminalized Indigenous peoples. It provides support for addiction and trauma. In F2022, it had 13 beneficiaries. 

The Emotional Wellness & Employment Readiness (SAGE) program supports Indigenous peoples with Indigenous cultural connection, life skills, and employment preparation. In F2022, it had 14 participants.

The Youth Mentorship Program matches youth involved in the criminal justice system with volunteer adult mentors who provide guidance, assistance, and support. EFry reports that most matches operate for a year or longer post-sentencing. In F2022, the program helped 683 youth. 

In F2022, Elizabeth Fry Society of Calgary received $595k in donations. 42% of its revenue came from government funding, which totalled $444k in F2022. Administrative costs were 12% of revenues, less investment income. It did not report any fundraising costs for F2022. Total overhead spending was 12%. For every dollar donated, 88 cents are available to go to the cause. This is within Ci’s reasonable range for overhead spending. 

In F2022, EFry had $610k in funding reserves. These can cover six months of annual program costs. 

At the time of this report, EFry has not made its F2023 financial statements publicly available. Ci has reduced them to partially financially transparent.

This charity report is an update that has been sent to Elizabeth Fry Society of Calgary for review. Changes and edits may be forthcoming.  

Updated on July 24, 2024 by Stellar Zhang.