Charity Intelligence Announces 5th Annual Top Picks Report

Charity analysts give "strong buy" to 36 Canadian charities, encourage donors to engage in more performance-based giving

TORONTO, Nov. 10 /CNW/ - Charity Intelligence today released its 5^th annual charity Top Picks report, identifying thirty-six outstanding Canadian charities. Charities were selected after a rigorous assessment process similar to investment research, to identify strong investment buys. Starting with financial analysis and due diligence, charity analysts undertook management interviews to drill down to the charity's "theory of change", and measure its outputs and outcomes. Through national benchmarking relative to similar charities across Canada, Top Picks charities with potentially high social returns on donations were identified.

"These outstanding charities have distinguished themselves through their operations, strong management and efficiency and, most importantly, their 'bottom-line results' in helping Canadians, making them national leaders in their work. For donors who are looking for the best outcomes for their giving, these charities deserve strong consideration - and donations," says Kate Bahen, Managing Director of Charity Intelligence. "Charity Intelligence's findings are designed to help donors identify the charities that are achieving top results in helping people in need."

Top Picks provides a fact sheet for each charity with data organized into three sections: Program Data, Charity Analysis and Audited Financial Statements.  Criteria used to select the charities that made Ci's Top Picks was a four step process including: Transparency and Accountability, Program Evaluation, Benchmarking and a Recommendation Committee.  The 36 charities selected are those that offer the highest-impact giving opportunity for donors and demonstrate the highest immediate need.  The full report and a full description of the evaluation and assessment process used can be found in the Ci Top Picks 2010 report available for download at www.charityintelligence.ca

"Acting for donors by doing their in depth analytical research and then publishing this critical information places Charity Intelligence at the forefront of helping to guide social capital to the most effective and innovative non-profit enterprises," says Mike Skrypnek, Director Wealth Management, Richardson GMP Limited and Author of Philanthropy; An Inspired Process.  "Placing added pressure on increasing financial transparency and raising the standards by which charities demonstrate their attractiveness to donors will have a positive long term effect as more organizations strive to attract the ever increasing flow of capital from philanthropic private hands to the public trust,"

About Charity Intelligence: Charity Intelligence is a charity that helps donors. It undertakes independent and objective research and analysis of Canadian charities to help donors make informed and intelligent giving decisions that have the highest impact for Canadians in need. Charity Intelligence has assessed over 320 Canadian charities, measuring their efficiency and effectiveness in helping Canadians in need.  Any Canadian donor can request a free report on a charity from Charity Intelligence.

Ci Top Pick Charities 2010:

AT-RISK YOUTH
Big Brothers and Sisters, Peterborough		WOMEN'S CHARITIES
Eva's Initiatives, Toronto Sarnia-Lambton Rebound, Sarnia		The Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic, Toronto
Youth Without Shelter, Toronto
		EDUCATION
FOOD BANKS		Amici Camping Charity, Toronto
Calgary Food Bank, Calgary		Boundless Adventures, Toronto
Edmonton Food Bank, Edmonton		Cornwall Alternative School, Regina
Feed Nova Scotia, Halifax		East York Learning Experience, Toronto
Fort York Food Bank, Toronto		JUMP Math, Toronto
Inner City Home of Sudbury, Sudbury		Pathways to Education Canada, Toronto
The Mississauga Food Bank, Mississauga
Ottawa Food Bank, Ottawa		SOCIAL SERVICES
Second Harvest, Toronto		Momentum Community Economic Development Society, Calgary
HOMELESS		SOCIAL ENTERPRISE/SOCIAL PURPOSE BUSINESS
Evangel Hall Mission, Toronto		Inner City Development, Winnipeg
Fresh Start Recovery Centre, Calgary		TurnAround Couriers, Toronto
Inn From the Cold Society, Calgary		Gateway Linens, Toronto
Pathways Clubhouse, Richmond		Phoenix Print Shop, Toronto
PHS Community Services Society, Vancouver
Potential Place, Calgary		COMMUNITY INVESTMENT FUNDS
Red Door Family Shelter, Toronto		Jubilee Fund, Winnipeg
The Salvation Army Gateway, Toronto		Momentum Micro Business Loans, Calgary
Simon House Residence Society, Calgary
Wesley Urban Ministries, Hamilton

For further information:

contact Teresa Pavlin, Charity Intelligence, [phone] or[email protected]