First Alliance Church is a 3-star charity. It has a below-average results reporting grade. While this charity is financially transparent, its overhead costs lie outside of our reasonable range. 

Founded in 1967, First Alliance Church (FAC) encourages people to follow and spread Jesus’s mission. FAC follows the faith of the Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada. First Alliance Church has two campuses in Calgary: FAC Deerfoot and FAC Southwest. First Alliance Church also has an online campus. It broadcasts weekly services on Facebook and YouTube. 

FAC describes its programs in four main areas: Connecting, Growing, Sharing, and Serving. The charity does not provide a breakdown of expenses for its main program areas. 

First Alliance Church’s Connecting program includes small support groups and online classes. In F2022, FAC led 72 small groups. During the year, 55 people attended grief support groups. First Alliance Church also received 6,126 “likes” on its Facebook page, a 4.7% increase from the previous year. 

FAC’s Growing program encourages people to take part in new religious activities. Activities include baptisms, prayer, and outreach. In F2022, the charity held 85 baptisms. This was a 130% increase from the previous year. Additionally, 87 people attended FAC’s prayer retreat. 

First Alliance Church’s Sharing program focuses on charitable outreach. Activities include global mission trips, community workdays, and refugee support. In F2022, FAC helped 62 refugees arrive and settle in Alberta. First Alliance Church also hosted mechanic workdays to help financially struggling community members. During F2022, these workdays provided free oil changes for 120 vehicles. First Alliance Church also hosted an art auction to support Ukraine. It raised $9,380 towards relief efforts.  

FAC’s Serving program encourages its members to serve God by volunteering in their local communities. At FAC Southwest, there were an average of 18 people volunteering each weekend in F2022. 

First Alliance Church had $6.7m in donations in F2022. Administrative costs are 4.7% of revenues (less investment income). First Alliance Church does not report any fundraising costs. For every dollar donated, slightly more than 95 cents go to the cause. This is outside Ci’s reasonable range for overhead spending which is between 65 and 95 cents to the cause per dollar donated. When a charity’s cents to the cause is over 95 cents, the charity may not be reporting accurately. 

FAC has $599k in reserve funding. The charity can cover 9% or around 1 month of annual program costs with its existing reserves. F2022 and F2021 are the first years that Ci has reviewed FAC where its net funding reserves have been positive. Before, there were interest-bearing demand loans around $2m. The charity has paid off these loans over the past couple of years. 

This charity report is an update that has been sent to First Alliance Church for review. Changes and edits may be forthcoming.  

Updated on May 25, 2023 by Clive Stevens.