War Child Canada is a 5-star charity that is financially transparent. The charity has an above-average results reporting score of B+ and reasonable overhead spending of 18%. It is rated Good for demonstrated impact per dollar spent.

Founded in 1999, War Child Canada (WCC) helps children and their families affected by conflict. The charity looks to promote peace by supporting local communities. WCC reports that it hires 99% of its staff locally. War Child International is a global network of three main charities: War Child Canada, War Child Holland, and War Child UK. The three charities share a common mission but were founded and operate independently.

War Child Canada operates in four main countries, listed below. WCC spent $18.7m on its programs in 2024.

Uganda programs received 55% ($9.7m) of international program spending in 2024. WCC states that youth unemployment is estimated at 80% in Uganda. The charity reports it placed 1,376 youths in apprenticeship programs in 2024. It also provided soft skills training to 1,618 youths. 2,297 people participated in its Accelerated Education Program. The charity awarded 138 university scholarships. WCC reports it helped a total of 8,371 people in Uganda in 2024.

Afghanistan programs received 25% ($4.4m) of international program spending in 2024. WCC states that 25% of Afghan children suffer from anxiety, ten times the global average. The charity established 30 child-friendly spaces (CFSs) in 2024. CFSs provide psychosocial support, recreational learning, and life-skills training for children. CFSs helped 1,500 children in 2024. The charity also distributed 2,542 winter kits to children. WCC reports that it reached 15,457 youths through its Multipurpose Youth Centres in 2024.

South Sudan programs received 15% ($2.6m) of international program spending in 2024. WCC reports that it established 60 savings groups in 2024. The charity reports that it provided over 5,700 people with weather information to help them adapt to climate change. It also reports it trained over 1,400 farmers on weather data collection. WCC reports its adult literacy program supported over 9,000 participants.

Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) received 4% ($691k) of international program spending in 2024. WCC states that violence in DRC has forced over 1.6 million children out of school. The charity supports three education centres in South Kivu. It reports these centres helped 1,073 students in 2024. It also recorded or revised 251 interactive radio instruction lessons.

The remaining 1% ($231k) of international program spending went to programs in Yemen, Sudan, and Iraq.

War Child Canada’s audited financial statements follow activity-based costing, a best practice. This means its expenses are clearly defined between program, administrative, and fundraising categories.

In 2024 WCC received $12.6m in donations and special events fundraising and $4.7m in international donations. It also received $3.4m in government funding. Government funding is 16% of total revenue.

Administrative costs are 5% of revenues (excluding investment income). Fundraising costs are 13% of donations. This results in total overhead spending of 18%. For every dollar donated, 82 cents are available to go to the cause. This falls inside Ci’s reasonable range for overhead spending.

WCC spent $18.7m on its programs in 2024 excluding donated goods used, which is 90% of its revenue excluding donated goods. In 2024 it had a deficit of $540k.

War Child Canada has $6.7m in reserve funds (cash and investments). The reserves can cover 36%, or four months of program costs.

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

Updated on July 2, 2025, by Grady Simpson.