Best Children’s Charities in Canada: Where to Donate
Canadian children’s charities support the development and wellbeing of some of the country’s most vulnerable kids. Providing life-saving healthcare, educating young minds, and leading children on the path to greatness, these charities are focused on helping young people thrive.
If you want to support Canadian children and give them a boost in life, finding a charity that resonates with you is the best way to make a meaningful impact.
In this article, we explore the best children’s charities in Canada, so you can support children and their families – from Vancouver to Montreal.
How to choose a children’s charity
Before you think about donating, it’s important to understand the criteria for what makes a children’s charity great. With so many to choose from in Canada, we’re here to help make the selection process a little less daunting.
To ensure your donation is used effectively and aligns with your values, consider the following:
- Clear mission statement: Ensure their work targets specific needs in children’s lives and that their programs and initiatives provide a measurable impact.
- Full transparency: The charity should publish detailed annual reports, financial statements, and program outcomes.
- Accreditations: Choose a charity that’s registered with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). Also look for accreditation by recognized organizations, such as Imagine Canada, who ensure charities meet high standards in governance, financial accountability, and transparency.
- Operational efficiency: Investigate how donations are allocated and how effective they are at maximizing the impact of each dollar. Aim for a charity where a significant majority of funds support programs directly.
- Strong reputation: Check reviews, testimonials, media coverage, and data that demonstrate how successful they are. Check out Charity Intelligence Canada for in-depth reports and ratings.
- Ethical practices: Ensure they adhere to ethical practices, such as respecting children’s privacy and safeguarding their rights. Plus, check their approach to partnerships and funding aligns with ethical and sustainable practices.
By carefully reviewing these aspects, you can ensure your support goes to a trustworthy organization making a long-lasting impact in children’s lives.
The best children’s charities in Canada
Whether you’re searching for charities or nonprofits for children, finding an organization that aligns with your values is no easy feat. To help you navigate this process, we’ve selected some of the best children’s charities in Canada.
Boundless School
Located in Ontario, the Boundless School uses outdoor adventures and experiential learning to re-engage at-risk youth in education and tackle mental health. Their education program is designed to help students achieve high school credits, fostering personal growth, resilience, and academic success. Their “classroom” rests on 600 acres of forest along the Madawaska River.
Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada
This Canadian children’s charity is dedicated to improving the lives of children, youth, and families involved with the child welfare system – breaking the cycle of abuse and neglect. Their funding programs provide education, healthcare, housing, and life skills, empowering young people to reach their potential and lead independent lives.
Children’s Cottage Society
The Children’s Cottage Society offers prevention programs and support services to provide families with the help they need to cope with and overcome challenges associated with keeping kids safe. They aim to reduce child abuse, promote family stability, and ensure the wellbeing of children by offering a nurturing environment and essential resources.
Children First Canada
Dedicated to improving the lives of Canadian youth, Children First Canada focuses on raising awareness of children’s rights, health, and wellbeing. They want to make Canada the best place in the world for kids to grow up through research, policy advocacy, and public campaigns – tackling critical issues like poverty, education inequality, and healthcare access.
EPIC Society
One of Canada’s best-run nonprofits for children, the EPIC Society creates and administers innovative educational programs for young people in Nova Scotia. Their mission is to advance marginalized learners through innovation, empathy, volunteerism, diversity, and partnerships, so children in underserved areas have equal opportunities for success and growth.
First Book Canada
First Book Canada aims to bridge the educational gap by transforming the lives of children in need by making brand-new, high-quality books and resources affordable and available. They collaborate with schools and community organizations to enhance literacy and learning opportunities for children of all socioeconomic backgrounds.
Indspire
Indspire is a national Indigenous registered charity that invests in the education of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people – fostering a sense of identity and belonging. Through scholarships, mentorship, and cultural programming, it supports students in achieving academic success and reaching their highest potential.
George Hull Centre for Children & Families
One of the best children’s charities in Canada for supporting mental health, the George Hull Centre for Children and Families helps children – from infancy through age 18 – to achieve mental wellness. They offer counselling, family therapy, and school-based programs, focusing on early intervention and treatment so kids can live a better childhood and a brighter future.
JUMP Math
JUMP Math is a Toronto-based charity that revolutionizes math education with a focus on structured lessons and incremental learning. The charity aims to develop confidence and skills with their evidence-based grades K-8 learning program and professional teaching resources, so every child can achieve their full potential through math.
Kids Help Phone
Kids Help Phone is Canada’s only 24/7 e-mental health service, offering free, multilingual, and confidential support to help all young people. Counselling is available through phone, text, and online chat, addressing mental health, bullying, and emotional wellbeing. They provide a safe and trusted place for young people in any moment of crisis or need.
Pathways to Education
Pathways to Education provides resources and a network of support to young people in low-income communities, so they can graduate from high school and build a successful future. Offering mentorship, tutoring, and financial assistance, they equip under-resourced communities with the skills and confidence to pursue post-secondary education and meaningful careers.
The Sashbear Foundation
The Sashbear Foundation promotes mental health awareness, with a focus on supporting families and communities affected by emotional dysregulation and Borderline Personality Disorder. They do this by offering free workshops and evidence-based programs to reduce stigma and provide resources for effective communication and emotional resilience.
SickKids Foundation
SickKids Foundation aims to inspire communities to invest in health and scientific advances to improve the lives of children and their families in Canada. They believe that fighting for the health and wellbeing of children is one of the most powerful ways to improve society, funding pediatric healthcare, research, and innovation.
Toronto Foundation for Student Success
With a mission to remove barriers for children so that every child is nourished and able to learn, the Toronto Foundation for Student Success addresses hunger, poverty, and mental health issues. It runs programs like breakfast clubs, vision screening, and after-school support to help students thrive academically and socially.
Support Canadian children’s charities with GoFundMe
Supporting one of the organizations on this list of the best children’s charities in Canada is a great way of making a meaningful impact and helping young people in need. With your generosity, you can ensure Canadian children’s charities receive the funds they need to support our future generations.
There are hundreds of amazing charities in Canada, and we’re committed to making it as easy as possible for you to support them. Whether you choose to donate or start a fundraiser, you can help a cause close to your heart in just a few clicks. The GoFundMe platform is easy to use, fast, and completely free.
If you want to make a difference in the lives of Canadians and raise as much funds as possible, create a fundraiser online with GoFundMe today and explore our awesome fundraising ideas and tips.