University of Guelph is a 4-star charity with an above-average results reporting grade. It is financially transparent and has reasonable overhead costs. Excluding donor-endowed funds, its funding reserves can cover program costs for three months.

Founded in 1964, University of Guelph (U of G) is the union of Ontario Veterinary College, Ontario Agricultural College, and Macdonald Institute. The University now consists of seven colleges that conduct teaching and research in physical and life sciences, business, arts, social sciences, and agricultural and physical sciences. The University has a regional campus in Ridgetown, Ontario, and offers diploma and degree programs at the University of Guelph-Humber, a joint venture with Humber College in Toronto.

In the 2021-2022 school year, University of Guelph had 29,290 students enrolled in undergraduate and graduate studies. Of these, 26,152 were undergraduate and 3,138 were graduate students. There were over 1,861 international students from 140 countries. U of G offers more than 80 undergraduate programs and more than 100 graduate and post-doctoral programs. In F2022, the University gave out $54.3m in scholarships and bursaries. Additionally, the University of Guelph has more than 190,000 alumni living in more than 150 countries.

University of Guelph’s Office of Research received $183 million in research funds in F2021. The university has 14 research stations, and it has an agreement with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. In F2022, U of G had nine Tier 1 and 14 Tier 2 Canada Research Chairs. There were also 29 endowed and externally funded research chairs. University of Guelph is known as Canada’s Food University for its programs and research in agriculture.

University of Guelph received total donations of $38.9m in F2022. The University also received $285.8m in government funding (34% of total revenues) and $417.3m in fees for services revenue (tuition, student fees, and other grants and contracts) which made up 50% of total revenues. Administrative costs are 3% of revenues (excluding investment income) and fundraising costs are 22% of donations. This results in a total overhead spending of 25%. For every dollar donated, 75 cents go towards the charity’s programs. 

In F2022, the university had $588.0m in reserve funds. These are the institution’s cash and investments. Of these reserve funds, $411.6m is donor endowed. Excluding donor-endowed funds, U of G can cover three months of program costs with current reserves. 

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

Updated on June 26, 2023 by Alessandra Castino.