Chalice (Canada)

Chalice (Canada) is a Canadian, Catholic international child sponsorship charity dedicated to supporting impoverished children and families. Established in 1992, it operates as a registered charity under the Canadian Revenue Agency with the business registration number 137591012RR0001.

History and Mission

Chalice has been supporting children experiencing poverty for over 30 years. The organization's mission is to provide aid in breaking the cycle of poverty through education and community development. Their vision is a world where all children and families live in communities of life and love.

Operations

Chalice operates in 13 countries across four continents, including Bolivia, Chile, Ghana, Guatemala, Haiti, India, Kenya, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Tanzania, Ukraine, and Zambia. These countries often lack essential resources such as food, medicine, and clean water, making education a luxury for many families.

Programs

• Sponsorship Program: Chalice's core program focuses on pairing each child with a sponsor to ensure they have the support needed to complete secondary, post-secondary, or vocational education. This includes nutrition programs, infrastructure construction, skills development, disaster response, and support for critical needs.

• Community Development: The organization fosters community growth by supporting local infrastructure and providing training in areas such as financial literacy.

• Family Funding Model: Chalice uses a unique Family Funding sponsorship model. This involves pairing each child with a sponsor, while the child's parent or guardian joins a community group. These groups receive financial literacy training and manage their child's funds, focusing on education fees. Regular meetings, known as 'family circles,' allow for financial management, group savings, microloans, and the formation of small businesses. These meetings also serve as educational sessions covering topics like parenting, health, hygiene, nutrition, and more.

• Disaster Response: The charity provides critical support during disasters to help affected families recover.

Impact and Recognition

Chalice has received several recognitions for its work:

• Charity Intelligence Awards: Recognized as a Top Rated Charity in multiple years.
• Maclean's and MoneySense Awards: Ranked among Canada's top charities in various categories.
• Globe and Mail Recognition: Featured among the Top 100 Nonprofit Organizations.

In recent years, Chalice has reported significant impact, with thousands of children attending school through their sponsorship programs. Additionally, nutrition programs have shown high success rates in achieving healthy nutritional status for participating children.

Chalice is noted for its efficient use of resources, with low overhead spending, ensuring a substantial portion of donations directly supports its programs. The organization maintains sufficient reserve funds to cover several months of operations.

Financial and Governance

Chalice operates with a commitment to transparency and accountability, providing detailed spending breakdowns and regularly reporting on its results. It is highly rated for its impact and governance within the Canadian charity sector.