Annual Report
Compassion Canada | Ministry Impact | 2019-2020
Letters from...
Allison Alley
President and CEO
Tim DeWeerd
CFO & ED of Business Services
Ian Lawson
Board chair
Rated as one of Canada’s best charities for financial integrity
Our foundations
Mission:
Releasing children from poverty in Jesus’ name.
VALUES:
Integrity, Stewardship, Dignity, Excellence and Discernment
STRATEGIC ANCHORS:
Christ-Centred, Church-Based, Child-Focused
CORE STRATEGY:
Christian holistic development of children in poverty in partnership with supporters and churches.
STRATEGIC INTENT:
Join God in releasing the most children possible from poverty in Jesus’ name with ever increasing effectiveness and efficiency.
SNAPSHOTS OF GLOBAL INITIATIVES
Continue to meet the COVID-19 related urgent needs of beneficiaries for duration of pandemic
Operationalize our new theory of change to enhance child and youth outcomes
Enhance child protection to safeguard children from ever-changing risks
Innovate and leverage digital technologies to further advance mission
Advance our neighbour focused mindset to expand reach
Financial details
Here's how donations were used.
Program activity funds
Sponsorship*
90.7%
Beyond sponsorship
9.3%
*'Sponsorship' refers to all child development program funds.
Beyond sponsorship*
28% Survival
18% Water, Sanitation and Hygiene
18% Stability
14% Disaster relief
14% Education
5% Health
4% Child development centre launch
1% Church plant
*These activities are funded by donors to our Complementary Interventions and Survival Programs. Percentages are rounded.
The cost of fundraising
Of every dollar we spend, just 9.1¢ used for fundraising efforts.*
This pays for all of our fundraising staff, print and media advertising, printing and distribution costs for our mailings, fundraising events and online activities. Compassion does not, directly or indirectly, pay finder’s fees, commissions or percentage compensation based on contributions.
How we steward your resources
As an accredited member of the Canadian Centre for Christian Charities, Compassion Canada is committed to handling the finances entrusted to us with the utmost integrity. This year, 84.4 per cent of funds were used for program activities benefiting the children we serve. 15.6 per cent was used for fundraising and administration expenses.
Program activities
79.0% International program
5.4% Engagement support in Canada
Operating expenses
9.1% Fundraising
6.5% Administration
Our generous Canadian supporters
In our last fiscal year, Compassion’s support came from 88,835 individuals, families and organizations. Their generosity allowed us to continue our mission of releasing children from poverty.
Individuals and families make up 98 per cent of our total supporters. The other 2 per cent comes from businesses, churches, schools, foundations, service or community organizations and other groups.
Supporter breakdown
88,835 Individuals and families
1,018 Businesses
833 Churches
85 Schools
51 Foundations
191 Other
Annual revenue and expenditures
Revenues
2020
2019
Child and youth development
Complementary interventions
Survival
Investment Income
Other Revenue **
Expenditures
2020
2019
Program activities
Child Development
Complementary Interventions
Survival
Total Program Activities
Fundraising
Administration
Funds for Future Ministries
Financials by Percentage
2020
2019
Program Activities
Fundraising
Administration
- Compassion’s 2020 audited financial statement
- Compassion’s 2019 audited financial statement
- Compassion’s 2018 audited financial statement
- Compassion’s 2017 audited financial statement
- Compassion’s 2016 audited financial statement
- Compassion’s 2015 audited financial statement
- Compassion’s 2014 audited financial statement
- Compassion’s 2013 audited financial statement
Compassion Canada proudly accepts the Seal of Organizational Integrity and Accountability from the Canadian Centre for Christian Charities.
How the pandemic impacted Compassion’s program in FY20
Pivot was likely one of the most overused and most meaningful words of the past fiscal year. Everyone everywhere needed to adjust their daily lived reality as the coronavirus spread across the globe. Compassion Canada is part of Compassion’s Global Partner Alliance. We operate independently and are accountable to our generous Canadian donors and to Canadian laws. However, our covenant charter with 11 other nations empowers us to maximize our impact globally and to adjust quickly in the midst of a global crisis...
Read the storyWe love Jesus
Worship time is not merely a singing act at Compassion centres. Whether dancing with joy or lifting their hands up in the air, beneficiaries enjoy worshipping Jesus with pure hearts, just like this young girl in Uganda.
We love Jesus
Worship time is not merely a singing act at Compassion centres. Whether dancing with joy or lifting their hands up in the air, beneficiaries enjoy worshipping Jesus with pure hearts, just like this young girl in Uganda.
Leadership
Board of Directors
Chair
Rev. Ian Lawson
Lethbridge, Alberta
Itinerate Teaching Pastor, Briercrest College and Seminary
Vice-chair
Mark Fletcher
Halifax, Nova Scotia
VP of Projects and Construction, Teng Inc
Jennifer Adkins
Langley, British Columbia
Race and Ethnic Relations Specialist
Ph.D. Student, University of British Columbia
David Burton
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
Atlantic Regional Director General, Government of Canada (Canadian Heritage)
Dr. Marie Geschwandtner
Ottawa, Ontario
Chiropractor,
Body Garage Ottawa/
Hunt Club Chiropractic
Len Hummel
Scarborough, Ontario
Executive Director, Pentecostal Financial Services Group & Pension Fund, for the PAOC
Dr. Andrew Johnson
Calgary, Alberta
Infectious Diseases Specialist, Foothills Medical Centre
Clark Kassian
Calgary, Alberta
Lawyer,
Dentons Canada LLP
Leighton Reimer
Caronport, Saskatchewan
Chief Financial Officer, Briercrest College and Seminary
Shannon Williams
Duncan, British Columbia
Teacher, Cowichan School District
Executive Leadership
Allison Alley
President & CEO
Tim DeWeerd
CFO & Executive Director of Business Services
Janice MacInnis
Executive Director of Marketing
Jamie McIntosh
Executive Director of Partner Relations
Deb Wilkins
Executive Director of Engagement
Mike Carmody
Executive Director of Technology
Misty Ropp
Executive Director of People & Culture
Meetings
Board Meetings
October 24 – 25, 2019
January 30 – 31, 2020
May 29, 2020
Finance and Audit Committee Meetings
September 17, 2019
May 15, 2020
Nominating and Governance Meetings
October 10, 2019
January 15, 2020
May 19, 2020
Leading in Unprecedented Times
Interviews
Dr. Andrew Johnson
Profession:
Infectious disease specialist
Length on board:
11 years
COMPASSION CANADA: WHAT ARE THE TOP THREE THINGS YOU’D LIKE PEOPLE TO KNOW ABOUT WHO YOU ARE AND WHAT YOU DO?
Andrew Johnson: I love the work of Compassion, its focus on child development and its support of the local church.
I work as an Infectious Diseases specialist, but also trained in Medical Microbiology followed by a Clinical Virology fellowship. SARS-CoV-2 isn’t my first rodeo (I was around for SARS-CoV-1 too).
I strive to understand how the world works, how the mission of Compassion is impacted and to bring this perspective to the board table (health & disease, macroeconomics, geopolitics). I spend a lot of time thinking about human behaviour, and how global systems are plumbed. You can always count on a non-consensus opinion.
Read full interview
Dr. Marie Geschwandtner
Profession:
Chiropractor
Length on board:
19 years
CC: WHAT ARE YOU LEARNING THROUGH YOUR WORK ON THE INTERNATIONAL BOARD ABOUT COMPASSION’S SUSTAINABLE PRESENCE IN COMMUNITIES AND THE LONG-TERM VIEW OF PROGRAM AS WE LOOK BEYOND THE PANDEMIC?
Marie Geschwandtner: This pandemic is bad for everyone but devastating to the poor. They have no safety net for food or hygiene or healthcare or education. One of the foundations of Compassion’s work is partnering with the local church in the communities we serve. The local project staff, pastors and team members know the specific immediate and long term needs of their neighbours, the sponsored children and community. This unique model is what will ensure the continued implementation and support of our programs providing that safety net of what is needed during and post-pandemic. We are not decamping and leaving these poor communities to find their own way.
Our local church partners have been there and remain there for the long term, pivoting to address immediate needs while keeping an eye out for and ensuring stable long term development. The consistent steady presence of the local church is strong evidence that our model and methods are even more relevant and impactful to beneficiaries during this pandemic as they were before, and as we move into the post-pandemic phase.
Read full interview
Jennifer adkins
Profession:
Race and ethnic relations specialist
Length on board:
4 years
CC: YOU HAVE A PASSION FOR JUSTICE AND HAVE DEDICATED MOST OF YOUR CAREER TO RACE AND ETHNIC RELATIONS. AS WE LOOK BACK OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS DURING WHICH A CALL TO ADDRESS SYSTEMIC RACIAL INJUSTICE SWEPT ACROSS NORTH AMERICA AND AROUND THE WORLD, WHAT ABOUT THIS IMPORTANT SOCIAL MOMENT STANDS OUT TO YOU? HOW DO ORGANIZATIONS DIG INTO THIS CONVERSATION AND NOT IGNORE IT?
Jennifer Adkins: I think that talking about racial injustice and acknowledging what’s taking place is so important. For some in the church, it can seem like it’s impolite to talk about such issues as “polite Canadians”. And North American Christianity often presents itself as: “I got it all together. Everything’s great. We all just love each other.” As a result, the real conversations happen after church, outside the church, in homes.
So, like the church, I’d say organizations can make room for having the real conversations. If there’s a minority of people of colour on staff, there’s a good chance the majority really don’t know what they’re feeling or experiencing. And so having that freedom to have those discussions—if people of colour want to share or if somebody feels there’s an issue that they should share—is important.
I would say that compassionate work is to ask, “Do we show compassion for people, racialized individuals, Indigenous people openly in Canada as we do the work elsewhere?” I think that there really should be an earnest search of where organizations stand and how to live out these values in Canada as they do the work they do internationally.
Read full interviewGlobal impact
Extending a hand of compassion when disaster strikes
Our news feeds are filled with stories about flooding, disease outbreaks and natural disaster. So, how does Compassion respond around the world when disaster strikes?
We wanted to share some ways our local church partners extended a hand of love and compassion to communities in need in the past fiscal year.
CENTRAL AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN
- Dominican Republic
- El Salvador
- Guatemala
- Haiti
- Honduras
- Mexico
- Nicaragua
South America
- Bolivia
- Brazil
- Colombia
- Ecuador
- Peru
Africa
- Burkina Faso
- Ethiopia
- Ghana
- Kenya
- Rwanda
- Tanzania
- Togo
- Uganda
ASIA
- Bangladesh
- Indonesia
- Philippines
- Sri Lanka
- Thailand
PARTNERING WITH THE LOCAL CHURCH AROUND THE WORLD:
Venezuela / Colombia border
EVENT: Humanitarian Crisis
DATE: Ongoing
EMERGENCY SUPPORT: Shelter, food, medicine, hygiene kits and safety training.
Tanzania
EVENT: Heavy Rains
DATE: March 2020
EMERGENCY SUPPORT: Bedding, clothing, food, school supplies and mosquito nets. Repair and rebuilding of damaged homes.
Uganda
EVENT: Ebola outbreak
DATE: July 2019
EMERGENCY SUPPORT: Vaccinations, education.
Kenya
EVENT: Desert Locust Crisis
DATE: December 2019
EMERGENCY SUPPORT: Food, nutritional support, logistical support.
Indonesia
EVENT: Flooding
DATE: February 2020
EMERGENCY SUPPORT: Food, blankets, clothes, vitamins and medicine.
Thailand
EVENT: Typhoon Wipha
DATE: August 2019
EMERGENCY SUPPORT: Damage assessment, rice and dried foods.
The Philippines
EVENT: Typhoon Tisoy
DATE: December 2019
EMERGENCY SUPPORT: Emergency shelter, food, water, blankets. Currently planning repair and rebuilding of damaged homes.
RISING AS ONE TO FIGHT COVID-19:
THE WORLD CHANGED ON MARCH 11, 2020 when the WHO declared COVID-19 a global pandemic. As the virus spread and governments around the world enforced mandatory lockdowns, food scarcity, medical needs, housing security issues and safety concerns for the children we minister to came to the forefront of our work.
Our adaptive, local response highlights the church’s ability to know, love and protect children during times of crisis, which will be key to their emotional health and stability in the years following the pandemic.
HERE IS A SNAPSHOT OF COMPASSION’S GLOBAL RESPONSE AS TOGETHER WE STOOD WITH THE GLOBAL CHURCH TO PROVIDE URGENT CARE* IN ALL OF THE COUNTRIES WHERE WE SERVE:
- Raised $595,961 in Canada for global We Rise As One campaign from May 5, 2020 to end of Fiscal on June 30, 2020
- Supported the delivery of more than 2.67 million food packs
- Helped give over 1.65 million hygiene kits
- Assisted more than 95,000 individuals to access medical care
*stats represent the best info we have for the months of March 2020 to June 2020
Gifts of Compassion
LAST YEAR MARKED THE TENTH YEAR of our annual Gifts of Compassion catalogue which we send to mailboxes in October as we enter the Christmas season. We’re grateful to report that last year, close to 3,800 individuals purchased a wide range of gifts, from goats and music lessons to water filters and vegetable seeds from the catalogue, totalling $1,245,285.55 in donations.
Shop this year's gifts
BRINGING HOPE TO A DESPERATE SITUATION
As part of our Gifts of Compassion campaign last year, we invited Canadians to give generously to assist families who fled the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela on Giving Tuesday, a global day of concentrated charitable giving. The response was overwhelming! People across Canada were moved to show practical compassion and provided much-needed shelter, food, medicine and sanitation to help refugee families navigate their new realities in Colombia.
We’re humbled to report that because of the generosity of our donors, we raised over $179,000 to assist people like Venezuelan teenager Jesús who fled the violence in his home country at night with only the clothes on his back.
Thankfully, Jesús and his family were assisted by members of a local church that partners with Compassion Canada when they arrived in Colombia. The tangible love of Jesus shown through Compassion’s church partners changed their story of despair into a story of hope.
At the Compassion centre, the family received much-needed food and medical assistance and were instructed how to avoid the very real dangers of drugs and gang violence due to the unrest along the border.
The impact for Jesús is real. “I felt that we were not alone anymore,” says Jesús.
Highlights
1,662 emergency kits distributed to Venezuelan refugee families.
193 safe water bundles for families in Ethiopia, Indonesia and Peru.
1,520 chickens for families in El Salvador.
Around the world
You can’t lock down good news
We love children
Diagnosed with a heart disorder, 8-year-old Brian was abandoned by both of his parents and expected to die. Through the intervention of Compassion and the church, Brian was able to receive the funds to undergo the expensive procedure that saved his life. Brian is now healthy and continues to pursue his dreams.
We love children
Diagnosed with a heart disorder, 8-year-old Brian was abandoned by both of his parents and expected to die. Through the intervention of Compassion and the church, Brian was able to receive the funds to undergo the expensive procedure that saved his life. Brian is now healthy and continues to pursue his dreams.
ALUMNI ON THE FRONTLINES
Growing up in a small town in Ethiopia, Dr. Addisalem Gebresilassie’s dream of becoming a doctor seemed more like a fantasy. But today, thanks to support from her parents and Compassion sponsor, Dr. Addisalem is one of the many Compassion alumni around the world who are working on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic to save lives.
SUPPORTING MIGRANT FAMILIES
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Colombia was already facing a crisis: the Venezuelan migrant crisis. COVID-19 only exacerbated migrant families’ immense need. Compassion’s local church partner in the border city of Cúcuta is working hard to support families like the Vazquezes with groceries and rent support.
MAKING MASKS FOR THE COMMUNITY
In Guatemala, the first reported case of COVID-19 caused a shortage of critical supplies like face masks. That’s when 25-year-old Compassion alumnus Yonatan, who teaches tailoring at his former Compassion centre, decided to take action. He put his tailoring skills to work to sew reusable face masks for his community.
BORN IN QUARANTINE
Giving birth in any time is stressful, but for new mom Joya in Bangladesh, COVID-19 restrictions further complicated her already difficult birth. Thankfully, she had the support of Compassion’s Survival program, including caring staff like Alina, who helped Joya and her husband get to the hospital in time to safely deliver baby Boonerjee!
We love the Church
Children attending a summer camp at a church in Thailand where they receive life-skills training and engage in fun activities like singing, dancing and skits. The church is a safe haven in communities in all the countries we work where children can grow in faith, friendship and discover their own gifts and purpose.
We love the Church
Children attending a summer camp at a church in Thailand where they receive life-skills training and engage in fun activities like singing, dancing and skits. The church is a safe haven in communities in all the countries we work where children can grow in faith, friendship and discover their own gifts and purpose.
A year of transformation and growth
WHILE COVID-19 DOMINATED THE HEADLINES AND THE LAST QUARTER OF FY20, THERE WAS SO MUCH MORE TO THE YEAR. HERE ARE SOME HIGHLIGHTS:
- Welcomed Allison Alley as the fourth President and CEO of Compassion Canada
- Reached 112,010 children through the lifechanging reality of sponsorship
- Joined our wider Compassion family to work in 25 countries with more than 8,000 front-line church partners who, together, support 2,204,762 children
- Grew overall revenue (sponsorships and donations) to the highest ever in our history, allowing us to help more children, families and communities, despite cancelled events and lost opportunities due to COVID-19
- Redesigned MyCompassion of sponsors and increase accessibility to sponsorship history
- Worked closely with our global counterparts to leverage expertise, share resources and maximize effectiveness to enhance the longterm impact of our program delivery
- Funded a total of 102 unique interventions in 21 countries, supporting development initiatives like church plants, education, water, sanitization and hygiene initiatives, disaster relief and health initiatives
- Engaged over 300 volunteers across Canada in virtual gatherings for connection, prayer and to learn new ways to serve during the global pandemic
- Launched a new multi-year strategic plan at the start of the fiscal year with focus on talent and culture, innovation and learning, brand awareness and equity, growing and diversifying relationships, and enhancing supporter experience
- Launched our first peer-to-peer online fundraising tool so Canadians can creatively mobilize their friends and family in self-directed giving initiatives
- Completed five marketing research projects to understand our current and future supporters and to better target our awareness, fundraising and engagement efforts
- Engaged with donors and prospective donors in over 24,000 phone calls, 4,500 chats and more than 41,000 emails through our Support Centre