The latest publication from the Charity Insights Canada Project (CICP), At a Tipping Point: The Trilemma Facing Canada’s Charitable Sector, showcases data and insights that amplify the urgent cry of Canadian charities for support amid growing financial and economic uncertainty. The CICP remarks that rising demand, shrinking financial resources, and an overburdened workforce are compounding and creating a trilemma that threatens the sustainability of Canada’s charities.
Key Research Findings
- Demand for Services Outpacing Capacity – Charities are under mounting pressure as demand for services continues to climb:
- 66% of charities report a sustained increase in demand since the pandemic. (CICP 1.07.30).
- 72% say they cannot meet current demand, despite 55% having expanded their capacity in recent years. (CICP 2.05.19).
- Financial Instability Threatening Sustainability – Charities are grappling with inflation, unpredictable funding, and shrinking reserves, making long-term stability uncertain:
- 53% of charities express moderate to high concern about their long-term sustainability (CICP 2.07.26).
- 80% of charities say they require more core funding to offset rising costs (CICP 2.01.02).
- Workforce Challenges Are Escalating – Recruitment and retention difficulties are exacerbating instability across the sector:
- Roughly half of charities cite staffing shortages as a top challenge in both 2024 (50%) and 2025 (47%) (CICP 2.01.01; 3.02.01)
- The number of charities reporting high turnover rates (20% or more) grew from 26% in 2023 to 38% in 2024 (CICP 1.03.11; 2.07.24).
For additional findings and key takeaways, access the new briefing document here.