Founded in 1978, Learning Enrichment Foundation (LEF) works to provide programs that enable individuals and families in Toronto to contribute to their community’s social and economic development. The charity has three locations across Toronto and runs English classes, childcare services, employment services, skills training, newcomer services, youth programs, and community support. LEF’s main program is childcare and it believes that “children’s experience in their early years has a direct impact on the vitality of communities in the decades to come.”

Learning Enrichment Foundation’s childcare programs made up 73% of total program spending in F2018. Childcare programs include childcare centres, before and after school programs, full day kindergarten programs, education savings incentives, and other resources. LEF reports that since opening its first centre, it has expanded to more than 30 childcare centres and before and after school programs across Toronto. LEF’s childcare services works with over 1,700 children daily from ages 0 to 12.

Enterprises (Food Services, Buildings, and Event Management) made up 12% of Learning Enrichment Foundation’s total program spending in F2018. LEF prepares the food it serves in its childcare program and distributes meals to staff and clients for a daily fee. The charity reports that it provides approximately 600 meals daily to feed the children in its 17 childcare centres. Additionally, through a partnership with Second Harvest, LEF prepares 500 meals daily for local homeless shelters.

Other programs, including employment services, skills training, and newcomer services, made up 15% of Learning Enrichment Foundation’s total program spending in F2018. Employment services runs workshops, individual counselling, career options, and general help with career direction for newcomers to Canada, new graduates, those out of the workforce for some time, and people in other unique situations. LEF offers a Hospitality Careers Pathways course, four certifications, and five programs in the fields of food preparation, early childhood care, landscaping, and more.

Learning Enrichment Foundation is a ­­­­small charity, with total donations of $327k in F2018. LEF received $16.4m (68% of total revenues) from fees for service, which is made up of subsidy fees (63% of fees for service), client fees (34%), and other fees for service (3%). Administrative costs are 10% of revenues (excluding investment income) and fundraising costs are 0.3% of donations. For every dollar donated, 86 cents go to the cause. This is within Ci’s reasonable range for overhead spending. Funding reserves of $1.6m can cover less than one month of annual program costs.

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

Updated on August 8, 2019 by Lauren Chin.