Founded in 1945, CARE International is comprised of national divisions, including CARE Canada, whose head office is in Ottawa. US President Truman sent the first CARE Package  in 1946 as part of relief efforts during the aftermath of World War II. Since then, CARE has worked to save lives, defeat poverty, and achieve social justice. CARE Canada places a strong focus on helping women and girls to overcome poverty. CARE highlights that 1.2 billion people live in severe poverty.

Humanitarian programs represented 61% of program costs in F2019. CARE Canada combats social injustice and poverty by providing emergency aid to international crises. In response to the 2018 earthquake and tsunami in Sulawesi, Indonesia, CARE reached nearly 60,500 people with life-sustaining packages of shelter materials, kitchen sets and hygiene kits. In March 2019, in response to Cyclone Idai in Mozambique, CARE reached over 300,000 people with food, clean water, and emergency shelter. 

Food and climate change initiatives represented 24% of program costs in F2019. These programs help women sell their farm produce to earn money and make healthy food choices more accessible for women. CARE also works with communities to improve farming techniques so crops can withstand the effects of climate change. In F2018, CARE Canada reached 1.9 million people with better access to food and ways to cope with climate change.

Economic empowerment programs represented 8% of program costs in F2019. Programs help establish village saving and loan groups of about 20 women to help them save and grow their money to provide for themselves in the future. In F2018, CARE Canada helped 624,000 women and girls gain better access to and control of economic resources.

Sexual, reproductive, and maternal health represented 7% of program costs in F2019. CARE helps women access information, services, and support for a range of health topics, including pregnancy and how to raise children. CARE works with governments, doctors, and local health departments to make sure women’s health needs are met.  In F2018, CARE Canada provided support to 334,000 women and girls.

CARE Canada is a Large charity, receiving $6.3m in donations in F2019. The charity also received $46.1m in international donations (41% of revenues) and $51.7m in government funding (46% of revenues).

Administrative costs are 9% of revenues and fundraising costs are 27% of donations. For every dollar donated, 64 cents go the cause. This is not within Ci’s reasonable range for overhead spending. Funding reserves of $32.3m can cover 3.8 months of annual program costs.

CARE Canada used external fundraisers in F2019. The charity spent $385k to raise $137k from the external fundraiser for a cost of $2.81 per dollar raised.

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

Updated on June 12, 2020 by Tenzin Shomar.