Fred Victor is a five-star, financially transparent charity. Its results reporting score is A, which is above average. Its overhead spending is within Ci’s reasonable range. Its reserve funds can cover three months of annual program costs. 

Founded in 1894, Fred Victor helps homeless and low-income people access housing, health care, and employment services.  The charity is based in Toronto and operates over 25 sites across the city. It offers shelters, transitional housing, and housing supports for individuals and families. 

Fred Victor reports that over 10,000 people are homeless in Toronto on any given night. 187 people experiencing homelessness died in Toronto last year. This issue is more acute among Indigenous peoples. Although they only compose 1% of Toronto's population, they are 16% of individuals experiencing homelessness. Fred Victor also combats food insecurity, which it notes is a growing health crisis. The charity notes that 64% of its food program participants reported not having enough money for food after paying rent and bills. 

A Charity Intelligence 2024 Top 100 Rated Charity.

The charity has three main programs: Housing & Ending Homelessness, Healthcare, and Income and Employment Training. 

Housing & Ending Homelessness operates emergency shelters and transitional housing. It provides housing support for individuals with a history of homelessness or incarceration. It provides case workers and rent subsidies of $200-$300. In F2024, Fred Victor reports supporting 778 people with affordable housing and moving 447 people from homeless to housed. Fred Victor staff also worked with clients, landlords and partner agencies to prevent 171 people from being evicted. It distributed 304,734 meals and sheltered 2,456 individuals. 

Healthcare provides safe consumption sites and physical and mental health supports. In F2024, 28,967 visits were made to the safe consumption site. It also diverted 784 people from the criminal justice system to mental health services, a 22% increase from the previous year. 

Income and Employment Training provides employment services and training. In F2024, 216 people received training to improve income and employability. Across the charity, 169 job placements were secured and 159 certifications obtained.

In F2024, Fred Victor received $5.1m in donations and special events revenue. It also received $44.2m in government funding, representing 83% of total revenue. Administrative costs were 7% of revenues, less investment income. Fundraising costs were 4% of donations. Total overhead spending was 10%. For every dollar donated, 90 cents are available to go to the cause. This is within Ci’s reasonable range for overhead spending. 

In F2024, Fred Victor had $12.1m in funding reserves. These reserves can cover three months of annual program costs. 

Its auditors note that Fred Victor is “encountering difficulties in both recruiting and retaining qualified staff members,” which risks impacting its financial position.   

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

Updated on July 17, 2024 by Stellar Zhang.