Wilfrid Laurier University

75 University Avenue West
Waterloo, ON N2L 3C5
President: Deborah MacLatchy
Board Chair: Lynda Kitamura

Charitable Reg. #:10820 8786 RR0002

STAR RATING

Ci's Star Rating is calculated based on the following independent metrics:

[Charity Rating: 4/5]

✔+

FINANCIAL TRANSPARENCY

Audited financial statements for current and previous years available on the charity’s website.

B+

RESULTS REPORTING

Grade based on the charity's public reporting of the work it does and the results it achieves.

n/r

DEMONSTRATED IMPACT

The demonstrated impact per dollar Ci calculates from available program information.

NEED FOR FUNDING

Charity's cash and investments (funding reserves) relative to how much it spends on programs in most recent year.

72%

CENTS TO THE CAUSE

For a dollar donated, after overhead costs of fundraising and admin/management (excluding surplus) 72 cents are available for programs.



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OVERVIEW

About Wilfrid Laurier University:

Wilfrid Laurier University is a 4-star charity. It has a B+ Results Reporting Grade which is above average. Its overhead spending is within Ci’s reasonable range. The charity’s reserves can cover program costs for just under one month, which is within Ci’s reasonable range.

Founded in 1911, and registered as a charity in 1967, Wilfrid Laurier University (WLU) provides undergraduate, graduate, and professional education. It emphasises co-curricular development. The charity has campuses in Waterloo, Brantford, Milton, Kitchener, and Yellowknife. WLU spent $382m on its programs in the fiscal year ending in April (F2024).

Wilfrid Laurier University offers 150 programs, of which 56 are co-op. In F2024, the charity had 21,640 students: 19,482 undergraduates and 2,158 graduates. It gave out 3,589 degrees that year.

WLU does research in 23 research centers with 15 researchers.

 

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Results and Impact

Wilfrid Laurier University surveyed 5,070 graduates in 2023 within 12 months of graduation. Out of the 3,647 responses, 71% were employed, 23% were pursuing further education, 2% were travelling, and 4% were unemployed. While Ci highlights these results, they may not be a complete representation of WLU’s results and impact.

WLU is not yet rated on impact (n/r). This does not affect the star rating.

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Finances

Wilfrid Laurier University’s audited financial statements follow line-item costing, which is not a best practice. WLU received $14.3m in donations, which is 3% of revenue in F2024. The charity made $231.8m in fees for service, $139.4m in government funding, and $25.2m in investment income.

WLU spent $382.3m on its programs, which is 86% of revenue. The charity ran a surplus of $48.8m which is 11% of revenue. It spent $3.5m on fundraising (16% of donations), and spent $11.5m on administration, which is 3% of revenue (less investment income). For every dollar donated to the charity, 82 cents are available to go to the cause. This is within Ci’s reasonable range.

WLU has $140.4m in its reserves (cash and investments) of which $114.2m is donor endowed. Excluding donor-endowed funds, the charity’s reserves can cover program costs for just under one month. This is within Ci’s reasonable range.

Updated on June 13, 2025 by Joshua Leduc. This update has been sent to the charity and updates may be forthcoming.

Financial Review


Financial Ratios

Fiscal year ending April
202420232022
Administrative costs as % of revenues 2.7%2.9%2.7%
Fundraising costs as % of donations 24.9%27.3%22.0%
Total overhead spending 27.6%30.1%24.8%
Program cost coverage (%) 7.0%(5.5%)(6.3%)

Summary Financial Statements

All figures in $000s
202420232022
Donations 14,26612,14413,991
Goods in kind 2,043381380
Government funding 139,357127,180125,363
Fees for service 231,837223,197221,405
Business activities (net) 13,33313,96712,355
Investment income 25,22321,71312,409
Other income 20,01815,05412,188
Total revenues 446,077413,636398,091
Program costs 382,313374,175354,083
Administrative costs 11,45511,17710,544
Fundraising costs 3,5483,3133,082
Other costs 00390
Total spending 397,315388,665368,100
Cash flow from operations 48,76224,97129,991
Capital spending 6,21320,60416,604
Funding reserves 140,43787,53379,791

Note: 1. Ci adjusted for deferred donations which affected donations by ($4.5m) in F2024, ($1.7m) in F2023, and $2.1m in F2022. 2. Ci adjusted for amortization of deferred capital contributions which affected revenue by $4.4m in F2024, ($1.3m) in F2023, and ($1.1m) in F2022. 3. Ci excluded gain on sale of capital assets from revenue which affected revenue by ($3.1m) in F2024, and ($23.0m) in F2023. 4. Ci included endowment contributions which affected revenue by $10.0m in F2024, $9.5m in F2023, and $5.3m in F2022. 5. Ci took business activities net of expenses which affected revenue and expenses by ($6.5m) in F2024, ($7.0m) in F2023, and ($7.5m) in F2022. 6. Ci used the charity’s CRA filings with the T3010 to remove goods-in-kind donations from donations. This affected donations by ($2.0m) in F2024, ($381k) in F2023, and ($380k) in F2022.

Salary Information

Full-time staff: 1,709

Avg. compensation: $126,528

Top 10 staff salary range:

$350k +
3
$300k - $350k
7
$250k - $300k
0
$200k - $250k
0
$160k - $200k
0
$120k - $160k
0
$80k - $120k
0
$40k - $80k
0
< $40k
0

Information from most recent CRA Charities Directorate filings for F2024

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Comments & Contact

Comments added by the Charity:

Wilfrid Laurier University is a comprehensive university with campuses in Waterloo, Brantford and Milton. As a multi-campus, multi-community university, Laurier is known for offering unique programs that make each of our campuses their own, while retaining the essence of the strong community culture that binds us together. At Laurier, community is at the heart of who we are. A deep sense of connection and belonging is felt across our campuses and resonates into the communities we call home. Laurier students aren’t content with simply earning a university degree. To them, education is a springboard to something greater: it’s the key to shaping a life, building a community and making a difference.

Our programs provide a broad spectrum of traditional and innovative learning across arts and social sciences, business and economics, music, science, social work and education. Ultimately, they reflect a common purpose: Laurier’s determination to address global social, health and environmental problems and advance creative pursuits. Our world faces complex challenges; Laurier graduates are ready to tackle them. 

In-class learning is only part of the educational equation. Putting knowledge to work in the world is a hallmark of the Laurier experience. Experiential learning opportunities such as co-op work terms and community service are purposefully designed to help students relate what they learn in the classroom to what they experience outside of it. As a result, Laurier students graduate with both the theory and skills needed to succeed in the world that awaits them after university. It’s about forming a foundation of service that our students continue long after graduation.

At Laurier, we measure our success by the impact we make. Purposeful teaching, learning, research, and community experiences enable our students, alumni, staff and faculty to make a meaningful difference in their communities and the wider world. Together, we build knowledge that serves society.

It starts with you. None of this is possible without philanthropic support. Your investment in Laurier gives our students an edge. Donors support students through awards, the faculty who teach them, the facilities in which they learn and the many experiences that make their Laurier experience memorable. Donor impact is a critical ingredient of our university’s continued success. Thank you for your support.

Charity Contact

Website: www.wlu.ca
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Tel: 519-884-1970 ext. 3180

Email: alumni@wlu.ca 

Tel: 519-884-1970

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Charitable Registration Number: 80340 7956 RR0001