CityKidz

About CityKidz:

Founded more than 20 years ago, CityKidz is a Christian charity that works with at-risk children and youths. CityKidz aims to see the end of child poverty in Canada, and to ensure that every child has equal opportunity to thrive, dream big, and to reach their full potential. Its mission is to “increase resiliency and inspire BIG dreams for Canadian children living in low-income communities by providing inspirational experiences and nurturing personal relationships, one child at a time”. The charity reports approximately 25,000 or 1 in 4 children in Hamilton and 32,853 children in Ottawa live in poverty.

CityKidz primarily works with children in Hamilton, with smaller operations in Regina and Ottawa. CityKidz Saturday (for children aged 6 to 12) and KinderKidz Saturday (for children aged 3 to 5) provide transportation, food and activities 26 weeks a year.  The charity's staff and trained volunteers also conduct home visits to the low-income families who send kids to the Saturday programs. The visits are intended to strengthen CityKidz's relationship with the families and to receive feedback on its programs.

CityKidz’s Jr. Leadership Program mentors and trains adolescents to serve as CityKidz leaders. Its CityYouth program trains CityKidz youth graduates, aged 12 to 15, in leadership and volunteerism. The charity also provides children with opportunities to attend summer camps, delivers Christmas presents, and conducts monthly birthday parties.

CityKidz reports that its Hamilton programs impacted 2,000 children a week, had 571 children involved in its KinderKidz programs, made 63,897 weekly home visits, and sent 611 children to camp. Its Regina programs impact 145 children a week, with 90 children attending its Saturday programs and 75 home visits made each week. In Ottawa, 50 children attend its Saturday programs and 80 home visits are made each week.

Overall, it served 16,698 meals to hungry kids in its programs and provided over 100 backpacks with over $250 in school supplies to its clients.

Financial Review:

CityKidz is a medium-sized charity, with donations and special events revenues of $1.7m in F2016. Its administrative costs are 6% of revenues and its fundraising costs are 12% of donations. For every dollar donated to the charity, 83 cents is put towards its programs, falling within Ci’s reasonable range. The charity’s funding reserves of $703k results in a program cost coverage ratio of 50%. This means that it can cover 6 months of its programs using its existing reserves.

This charity report is an update that is being reviewed by CityKidz. Changes and edits may be forthcoming.

Updated on July 7, 2016 by Josh Lam.