[Briefing Note] High Demand and Constrained Capacity in Charitable Sector

New Briefing Note: High Demand and Constrained Capacity in Canada’s Charitable Sector

Canada’s charitable sector is under immense pressure. Across the country, charities are facing growing demand for their programs and services, yet many lack the financial and operational capacity to keep pace.

Our newest briefing note, High Demand and Constrained Capacity in Canada’s Charitable Sector, explores this widening gap and its implications for organizations that millions of Canadians rely on. While the imbalance between need and capacity is not new, the scale of the challenge today—and the limited funding available to address it—signals growing strain across the sector.

Drawing on data from the Charity Insights Canada Project (CICP), the briefing note highlights how charities are managing record levels of demand while navigating persistent financial barriers. This is our fourth and final briefing document of the year, completing our 2025 series examining the state of Canada’s charitable sector through the voices and data of hundreds of organizations nationwide.

Read the full briefing note here.