For decades, nonprofit organizations have been used by communities to help support their neighbors in need, and while these group's share universal missions of supporting those who're struggling, they offer specific services tailored to the needs of the regions and countries that they reside in. Take Canada, for example. Its sprawling population and provincial system result in a collection of Canadian nonprofits that include both small-scale provincial operations and large-scale national organizations. Check out Canada's top nonprofits and see which ones you can either help support physically and financially or get support from based on your specific needs.
Nonprofit Organizations in Canada
Boasting about four million square miles of physical territory, Canadian nonprofits have a lot of ground to cover. Focusing on social concerns relating to hunger, health, education, homelessness, the youth demographic, and so many more, Canadian nonprofits impact people across multiple areas of their lives and require a lot of financial and in-person support to keep running. Each of the following nonprofits offer incredible services for those who need it and welcome both donations and volunteers to help keep their missions afloat.
Calgary Food Bank
The Calgary Food Bank was voted the country's best charity of 2020 by the publication, Maclean. Using statistical analysis offered by Charity Intelligence Canada, Maclean reports that Calgary Food Bank was the most financially transparent Canadian nonprofit for the 2019-2020 year while using the least amount of their revenue for employee pay and fundraising costs. Specifically, this food bank works to refer people facing a food shortage to partnering food banks and other agencies that help to alleviate the causes of food insecurity. You can make food and/or monetary donations and volunteer with them, as well as easily contact their team for the use of their services.
Food Banks Canada
Another prominent Canadian nonprofit helping to fight national hunger and food insecurity is Food Banks Canada. According to their website, their "work is focused on maximizing collective impact, strengthening local capacity, and reducing the need for food banks" by supporting various groups that work on the community level. If you're interested in receiving aid from their services, you can check out to their partner food banks for more information. You can also make a monetary donation and volunteer your time.
Bruce Trail Conservancy
Protecting the environment has become more important than ever, and groups like the Bruce Trail Conservancy are trying to preserve the wilds that are left. The Bruce Trail encompasses a conservation corridor in the Niagara Escarpment and a foot path that runs along it which many people greatly enjoy. You can help support the Bruce Trail's initiatives by giving them a donation via their website.
Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association (CHPCA)
Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association is one of Canada's premiere hospice groups that helps support both individuals facing life-threatening illnesses and the loved ones caring for them. They run programs in all ten provinces and three territories, and you can donate a monetary sum in honor of someone's memory to the organization at their website.
JUMP Math
If you've ever struggled with mathematics in school, then you know how discouraging it can be to not get the proper assistance that you need. JUMP Math is a Canadian nonprofit that focuses on "enhancing the potential in children by encouraging an understanding and a love of math in students and educators." This Toronto-based organization was listed on Charity Intelligence Canada's Top 10 Impact Charities for 2020 list, and according to the group's website, they generate $10.80 of Social Return per dollar invested. With groups like JUMP Math, you know that every donation you make reaps social benefits tenfold.
East York Learning Experience
Not every adult has had the same educational opportunities presented to them, and East York Learning Experience works to alleviate this by providing educational programs designed under the Ontario Adult Literacy Curriculum Framework. Between April 2018 - March 2019, the nonprofit helped 76 clients, while their average client roster amounts to about 40 to 50 active learner/tutor pairs at any given time of the year. You can donate to this educational nonprofit via their website.
Fresh Start Recovery
This nationally recognized addiction recovery nonprofit "offers an individual approach to recovering" through their 14-16 week programs. These programs follow a holistic treatment path, which not only provides individual counseling and group healing, but also physical training, nutritional meals, and housing for their patients. You or a loved one can reach out to the organization if you're seeking addiction recovery or you can also support them by donating via their website.
Canadian Nonprofits Put in the Work
Running a nonprofit can be physically, mentally, and emotionally draining, but they're all too necessary if you're going to support those in your community who're struggling. If you're one of the people struggling, don't hesitate to reach out to get the help that you need, but if you're fortunate enough to be healthy and stable, think about donating your money or time to any one of these impressive Canadian nonprofits. After all, making the world a better place starts with you.
