MADD Canada is a two-star charity that is financially transparent but has low demonstrated impact. It has a B+ results reporting grade, which is above average. For every dollar donated to the charity, 64 cents are available to go to the cause.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Canada was founded in 1989. MADD Canada’s mission is to stop impaired driving and to support victims of this violent crime. The charity states that impaired driving is the number one criminal cause of death in Canada. It states that 79k total charges and short-term suspensions for impaired driving occurred in 2021, an average of 215 daily. The charity runs three programs: Public Awareness, Youth Services, and Victim Services. Charity Intelligence calculates that the charity spent $5.5m on its programs in F2023.

The Public Awareness program received 47% of program spending. MADD Canada works to raise awareness about the risks of driving impaired. It does so through public service announcements (PSAs), campaigns, and information provided on its website. In F2023, MADD Canada aired television PSAs more than 118k times. It distributed around 200k red ribbons as a part of its Red Ribbon campaign. These red ribbons are a symbol of the wearer’s commitment to never drive impaired. Its Campaign 911 initiative has photos of impaired driving victims on 260 truck trailers in Canada. In F2023, its website had almost 340k unique page views. MADD Canada also focuses on public policy to achieve its goal of preventing impaired driving in Canada.

The Youth Services program received 37% of program spending. MADD Canada states that motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among 16 to 25 year olds, and alcohol and/or drugs are a factor in 55% of those crashes. The charity provides educational presentations to help young people protect themselves from impaired driving. In F2023, it presented its School Program 1,526 times at 1,384 middle and high schools. Its SmartWheels mobile classroom delivered 459 presentations at 144 elementary schools. It presented its Weed Out the Risk program 860 times at 238 high schools. In F2023 MADD Canada added more resources to its MADD Youth website.

The Victim Services Program received 16% of program spending. MADD Canada provides support to those who lost loved ones or have been injured by impaired driving. In F2023, the charity reported that its Victim Services staff had approximately 1,878 contracts with victims and survivors. It also stated it hosted over 78 online support group meetings with over 487 registrants. MADD Canada also published a brochure. This brochure raises awareness of challenges faced by injured survivors of impaired driving. In F2023 it unveiled many memorial monuments honoring over 500 victims.

In F2023 MADD Canada received cash donations of $7.0m. Administrative costs are 1% of revenue (excluding investment income). Fundraising costs are 35% of donations. This results in total overhead spending of 36%. For every dollar donated to MADD Canada, 64 cents are available to go to the cause. This falls outside of Ci’s reasonable range for overhead spending. MADD Canada has been consistently just inside or outside the reasonable range since 2011.

MADD Canada received $29.8 million in donated airtime, which is shown below as donated goods in kind.

In F2023 MADD Canada spent $5.5m on its programs excluding donated goods used, which is 74% of its revenue excluding donated airtime. In F2023 it had a deficit of $1.0m.

MADD Canada has $7.9m in reserve funds. This can cover 143%, or 1.4 years of its annual program spending. MADD Canada has total investments of $6.5m. 50% is in a balanced pooled fund, 36% in equities and 14% in bonds. In F2023, the annual return on investment for MADD Canada on investment was 2%. Its five-year annual return on investment is 5%.

In F2023, MADD Canada paid external fundraisers $1.7m who collected $3.6m in donations. This means it cost MADD Canada 49 cents to raise $1 using external fundraisers.

This charity report is an update that has been sent for review to MADD Canada. Changes and edits may be forthcoming. 

Updated on May 28, 2024 by Grady Simpson.