More than half of participating Canadian charities are concerned about their organization’s long-term future, according to a new survey report from the Charity Insights Canada Project (CICP).
The latest survey revisits the issue of long-term sustainability, which CICP previously examined in 2024 and 2025. Fifty-one per cent of participating charities reported being either moderately or highly concerned about their organization’s future, with financial pressures, funding instability, and broader economic conditions among the leading challenges.
Key factors affecting long-term stability include:
- 62% cited rising operational costs
- 47% cited unstable or short-term funding
- 46% cited dependence on government funding
- 42% cited current economic volatility
- 39% cited declining donations
When asked what could help strengthen their organization, 73% of participating charities said more long-term funding would improve stability, while 48% identified more competitive salaries and benefits as an important factor.
Charities are also taking steps to address sustainability challenges. Over the past year, 45% reported developing a long-term strategic plan, 45% diversified their funding sources, 38% built financial reserves, and 36% increased collaborations and partnerships.
Succession planning also emerged as an ongoing concern, particularly for organizations that rely heavily on volunteers. In a previous CICP survey conducted in June, only 13% of participating charities reported having a well-defined succession plan in place.
The findings point to the range of financial, workforce, and organizational pressures affecting the long-term sustainability of charities across Canada.
For further information, or to access the full survey: click here.
