Charities spend $70 billion on major donor fundraising. Larger organizations grow by 20% while smaller ones shrink at the same rate. Minority-led organizations receive only 4% of available funding. Trust in charities has reached historic lows, and there are 20% fewer major donors than a decade ago. The question is clear: Is the current system producing the outcomes we desire?

Canada Helps released the “2023 Giving Report” which takes a raw and honest look at the state of the Canadian charitable sector. The report is titled “It's Time for Change: A Year Defined by Inflation Intensifies Long-Standing Threats to the Sector.” Canada Helps surveyed 3000 charities for a deep-dive into the largest and most urgent struggles of the sector. We thought we should highlight the reported issues here and invite you to join the conversation on how we can bring hope and healing in the midst of these challenges. 

Profit-driven businesses can positively impact people by creating jobs, building capacity and driving economic growth but their primary motive is often the financial bottom line. A social enterprise has similar benefits but places a stronger emphasis on tackling complex problems for societal benefit. Varying percentages of their profit are redirected back into addressing community needs. In essence, while both profit-driven and social enterprises involve innovation, risk-taking, creating value and making profit, the key distinction lies in their primary motivations and social outcomes.

The Charis Foundation has been facilitating conversations with charity leaders and donors to discuss how to bring greater health and wholeness to the Christian charitable-philanthropic sector. We have been doing this alongside Brent Fearon of The Foundation Office, Lauri Thompson from Tapestry Philanthropy Partners, and Consultant Dr. Rod Wilson. Read a summary here.

We have been asking how we can leverage our invested assets for social and spiritual good. We invited Third Way Capital to share their understanding and approach to impact investing.