Sistering is a two-star charity that is not fully financially transparent and has a below average C results reporting score. It has both reasonable overhead spending and a reasonably sized reserve fund. For every dollar donated, 81 cents are available to go to the cause.

Founded in 1981, Sistering offers drop-in services at two locations (962 Bloor Street and 220 Cowan Avenue in Toronto’s Dovercourt and Parkdale neighbourhoods) for women and gender-fluid individuals. These services include warm meals, showers, internet access, counselling, and harms reduction services. Sistering is also involved in social advocacy on behalf of marginalized women.

Sistering is currently responding to a case filed by a former employee with the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario. This former employee claims $67k worth of unpaid wages and $50k in damages related to discrimination and wrongful dismissal. Sistering has filed a response to these allegations and the claim’s outcome is pending at the time of this update. This information is from note 6 of its most recent F2024 audited financial statements.

The charity runs drop-in services at two locations as well as other programs. It spent $5.9m on its programs in the fiscal year ending in March 2024 (F2024). Sistering did not provide any further breakdown of its program spending.

Drop-in services is the charity’s main program. Sistering reportedly hosted 339 separate programs and social events at its two drop-in centres visited by 45,422 people (17,564 and 27,860 visits at its Dovercourt and Parkdale locations, respectively in F2023). The charity also completed 11,875 housing, medical, counselling, and other referrals at its two locations during F2024.

Other programs include Sistering’s medical clinic, meals program, and its research and advocacy work. In F2024, the charity served 131,122 meals and helped its client secure 1,323 appointments with physicians. Sistering also distributed 5,168 naloxone kits to its clients during F2024. The charity’s research and advocacy team launched four projects: Advocacy Assessment of Sistering, Sistering’s Advocacy Strategy, formed the charity’s Social Action Committee, and launched its Online Digital Storytelling Training platform.

Sistering is not fully financially transparent since only its most recent F2024 audited financial statements are publicly available on its website.

he charity’s financials follow line-item costing which it not a reporting best practice. This means its program, administrative, and fundraising expenses are not clearly defined on its financial statements.

During F2024, Sistering received $1.4m worth of donations (22% of total revenue) and $4.7m worth of government funding (74% of total revenue), representing a 23% decrease and 8% increase from $1.8m donations and $4.3m government funding received during F2023, respectively.

Administrative costs are 6% of total revenue less investment income and fundraising costs are 12% of donations. This means Sistering’s total overhead spending is 19%. For every dollar donated, 81 cents are available to go to the cause.

In F2024, the charity spent $5.9m on its programs, a 5% decrease from $6.2m spent in F2023.

At the end of F2024, Sistering had $2.6m worth of net reserve funds (cash and investments) that covers 43% or around five months of its annual program spending.

Profile updated by Julian Dranitsaris on April 14, 2025. Comments and corrections may be forthcoming.