CARE Canada is a 2-star charity with Low Demonstrated Impact. It has an A- Results Reporting grade, which is above average. Both overhead spending and need for funding are within Ci's reasonable range. 

Founded in 1945, CARE International consists of 14 national divisions, including CARE Canada (CARE), based in Ottawa. CARE runs programs to save lives, defeat poverty, and achieve social justice internationally. CARE’s programs focus on equal rights and increased access to resources for women and girls. CARE Canada has two main programs: Humanitarian and Development. In F2024, CARE spent $62.4m on its programs. CARE Canada reports it helped 1.6 million people directly through its program in F2024.

CARE spent 51% ($31.8m) on Humanitarian programs in F2024. CARE Canada provides relief from natural disasters and ongoing conflicts. In F2024, CARE focused on Gaza, Ukraine, Zimbabwe, and Ethiopia. CARE’s START4GIRLS program works to improve attendance and access to education and training for women in rural Zimbabwe. In F2024, CARE reported a 6% increase in employment and a 30% increase in school attendance of girls and people with disabilities. In Gaza, CARE distributed 3,000 hygiene kits, 860 bed sets, and 240 sets of winter clothes.

CARE spent 47% ($29.3m) on Development programs in F2024. CARE focuses on women’s economic empowerment, food and nutrition, resiliency to climate change, sexual reproduction, and mental health. CARE highlighted two Development projects in its annual report: WESE and FANMKAD. WESE aims to increase the financial independence of low-income women in Morocco. In F2024, 1,376 women received financial literacy training and 60 women completed training to become a Village Savings and Loan Association facilitator. FANMKAD aims to improve health care access and sexual health and rights for women Haitians. The charity reports that 83% of women now make informed sexual health decisions.

The remaining 2% ($1.2m) of program costs went toward country office management. This is the amount spent in Canada

CARE Canada’s audited financial statements use activity-based costing, which is a best practice.

CARE Canada received $9.7m in Canadian donations and $3.1m in international donations in F2024. It also received $46.2m in government funding, which is 77% of revenue. CARE spent $62.4m on its programs, which is 104% of revenue. The charity ran a deficit of $11.6m and earned $3.1m from the sale of capital assets, meaning it drew on its reserves to fund its operations.

CARE spent $1.2m on fundraising, which is 13% of donations, and $7.7m on administration, which is 13% of revenue (excluding investment income). Total overhead spending is 25%. For every dollar donated to CARE, 75 cents are available to go to the cause, which is within Ci’s reasonable range.

CARE has $37.6m in reserve funds (cash and investments). These reserves can cover the charity’s annual program costs for seven months. This is within Ci’s reasonable range.

CARE uses external fundraisers. In F2024 CARE paid fundraisers $421k to collect $1.7m. It costs CARE 25 cents to raise a dollar through external fundraisers. It is likely more cost efficient to donate directly to CARE Canada than through external fundraisers.

Charity Intelligence has sent this update to CARE Canada for review. Changes and edits may be forthcoming.

Updated on May 26, 2025 by Liam Chapleau.