‘Greatest charity I’ve ever seen’

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This article was published 13/11/2023 (1041 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Two Winnipeg-based charities have made the top 100 list of the best Canadian charities for 2023.

The Canadian Foodgrains Bank and Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) Canada both made the list in the international aid category by Charity Intelligence, an organization that monitors and evaluates Canadian non-profit groups to help guide donors with their giving decisions.

The foodgrains bank was also among the top 10 impact charities for all non-profit groups based on demonstrated impact per dollar, while both the foodgrains bank and MCC were listed among the top 10 impact charities in the international aid category.

“We’re very pleased with our ranking,” foodgrains bank executive director Andy Harrington said. “We are glad we can show transparency and accountability to our supporters, and that our programs have high impact.”

Harrington said the ranking shows “we do what we say we will do with donations,” but there are different ways to measure impact. One of the most important measuring sticks for the organization is the “impact for recipients,” he said.

“Most important thing for us is the impact on the ground,” Harrington said.

Charity Intelligence also gave the organization an A+ for results reporting.

This is the sixth consecutive year the foodgrains bank, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, has been named a top 10 impact charity.

Scott Campbell, senior director of advancement and strategy for MCC Canada, is grateful for the recognition.

The high rating “acknowledges how MCC is accountable to its supporters in Canada and partners overseas,” he said, noting this is the fourth consecutive year the organization has been given a top impact ranking.

Campbell said he hopes people who appreciate the organization’s financial accountability and transparency will take time to “look beyond the data.”

“As important as it is for MCC to get this rating, it’s just as important for us to receive a high rating from the people who get our aid,” he said. “We are committed to being transparent, whether in Canada or overseas.”

MCC received a mark of A for results reporting.

Kate Bahen, managing director of Charity Intelligence, said the Canadian Foodgrains Bank and MCC are great examples of the best charities in Canada. She called the foodgrains bank “the greatest charity I’ve ever seen” and a “benchmark of excellence.”

It has the highest rate of return and the highest data quality in the sector, Bahen said, adding, “That can give donors the greatest confidence, knowing they are getting good bang for the buck.”

She said “both are great charities” with high impact. Donating to them goes six times further than giving to other groups.

“You get the same tax receipt for your donation, but your donation does far more good,” Bahen said.

Charity Intelligence was founded in 2006 to provide information for donors about Canadian charities. It rates charities on their financial accountability, results reporting and impact.

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