Action Canada for Sexual Health & Rights

Action Canada is a 3-star charity. It is not financially transparent, has an above-average results reporting grade, and has spending within Ci's reasonable range. 

Action Canada for Sexual Health & Rights (Action Canada) is the Canadian branch of Planned Parenthood. Action Canada aims to advance and uphold sexual and reproductive health and rights in Canada and globally. Its goal is to create a world where people everywhere have control over matters related to their sexuality, reproduction, and gender. The charity focuses on abortion, contraception, comprehensive sexuality education (sex-ed), and advocacy. Action Canada runs three main programs: direct support and stigma-free information, public policy and advocacy, and collaboration and movement building. The charity does not provide a breakdown of spending on these programs.

Action Canada provides direct support and information through its toll-free Access Line, online health information, and resources for educators and health professionals. Its Access Line services offer text and phone support for questions and referrals regarding sexual health, pregnancy, abortion, and safe sex. In F2022, the charity brought in three new staff for its Access Line and supported 3,100 callers.

Action Canada advocates in Canada and globally for access to safe abortion, sex-ed, 2SLGBTQI+ rights, gender equality, and sex workers' rights. In F2022, Action Canada hosted a Sexual and Reproductive Health Awareness Week campaign, which was seen over 350,000 times.

Action Canada partners with human rights defenders, health care providers, and feminist coalitions to advocate together at the United Nations. In F2022, the charity collaborated with partners in Canada and Latin America to publish a video series on the impact of covid-19 on sexual and reproductive health and rights. Action Canada is also part of the Sexual Rights Initiative (SRI), which works to advance human rights related to sexuality at the United Nations.

Action Canada uses the Norma Scarborough Emergency Fund (NSEF) to help people access abortion by covering transportation, medication, accommodation, and other costs. In F2022, NSEF provided resources and support for 127 people to access an abortion that otherwise would be out of reach.

Action Canada reports that it played a critical role in shaping the public discourse and response to the overturning of Roe v Wade in the United States. It also states that it successfully advocated for the Canadian government not to introduce damaging legislation on abortion in Canada.

Action Canada reports that it collaborated with the Centre for Sexuality in Alberta to run the We Get It campaign. The campaign aimed to positively influence testing attitudes on sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections (STBBIs). Reportedly, We Get It increased positive attitudes toward STBBIs by 35%, and 46% of the people surveyed said they planned to get tested 3-12 months after the campaign.

While Charity Intelligence highlights these results, they may not be a complete representation of Action Canada's results and impact.

This charity is not yet rated on impact (n/r).

Action Canada is not financially transparent. The charity does not make its audited financial statements available on its website. Ci received audited financial statements upon request from Action Canada; however, the charity requested that Ci does not display its F2022 financial statements on our website.

Action Canada had total Canadian donations of $645k in F2022 ($366k in F2021) and international donations of $493k in F2022 ($2.4m in F2021). The charity also received $3.2m in government funding, representing 72% of revenues.

Administrative costs are 8% of revenues, and fundraising costs are 15% of donations. This results in total overhead spending of 23%. For every dollar donated, 77 cents go to the cause, which is within Ci's range for overhead spending.

Action Canada has $2.5m in reserve funds (cash and investments), which could cover 50% or six months of its annual program costs.

This report has been sent to Action Canada for review.

Profile updated on July 18, 2023, by Sydney Olexa.