Recognition by Charity Intelligence
Thunder Bay, ON – Nov. 8, 2023 – Lifewater Canada, a non-profit organization providing safe, accessible water to people in Africa and Haiti, has been ranked for the fifth consecutive year as one of the 10 best charities in Canada for ensuring that donations achieve meaningful impact in people’s lives.
This recognition comes from Charity Intelligence, an independent Toronto-based group that monitors the performance of more than 850 Canadian non-profits. Each year, it publishes a “Top 10 Impact Charities” list, highlighting organizations that deliver exceptional results.
The Importance of Impact
“Over $18 billion was given to charities by Canadian donors last year and a significant portion of that is going to less effective charities,” says Greg Thomson, Charity Intelligence’s Director of Research.
“Donors often focus on the reputation of the charity or they get distracted by salaries or administrative costs when what really matters is understanding the impact charities have. Of the 300 Canadian charities we have analyzed for impact, these Top 10 have the highest measurable demonstrated impact. Our calculations estimate this group delivers average returns of roughly six dollars for every dollar donated, compared with overall average charity returns of only about 1.5 dollars.”
Lifewater’s Commitment to Communities
In addition to being listed among Canada’s Top 10 overall impact charities, Lifewater was again recognized as one of the top 10 Canadian charities focused on international relief and development.
“We are honoured to be rated so highly by Charity Intelligence year after year,” Lifewater president Lynda Gehrels said. “It is a testament to the enormous efforts of our well-drilling and repair teams in Liberia, Kenya, Nigeria, and Haiti. These teams are led by local people – trained and equipped by Lifewater – who are deeply committed to providing safe water in one community after another.”
Thanks to the effectiveness of its overseas teams and the generosity of its supporters, Lifewater Canada has grown dramatically in recent years:
- 3,660 water projects completed in fiscal 2023
- 2,093 projects in 2022
- 960 projects in 2021
- 652 projects in 2020
Each project has its own page on the Lifewater website, with photos, GPS coordinates, and thank-you notes from community leaders, allowing donors to clearly see the impact of their support.
Addressing a Global Crisis
The World Health Organization estimates that about 505 million people in the developing world die each year from diarrheal diseases, including dysentery and cholera, caused by dirty water and poor sanitation. That translates to someone—usually a child—dying every 63 seconds.
In response, Lifewater works to:
- Drill new wells and repair old ones
- Fix broken handpumps
- Install rainwater catchment systems
- Construct toilets and handwashing stations
- Provide health and hygiene training
Since becoming a registered Canadian charity in 1997, Lifewater has benefited more than 6.1 million people, including 1.3 million in fiscal 2023 alone.
About Charity Intelligence
Charity Intelligence researches Canadian charities to help donors give more effectively. Its website offers reports on over 850 organizations, along with sector-wide primers on issues like the environment, cancer, and homelessness. More than half a million Canadians use the platform each year, reading reports over 1.6 million times.
Through rigorous research, Charity Intelligence aims to promote transparency, accountability, and results across Canada’s charitable sector.
About Lifewater Canada
Lifewater Canada has been headquartered in Thunder Bay, Ontario, since its founding in 1997. Led for many years by Jim Gehrels until his passing in 2020, the organization is now directed by his wife, Lynda Gehrels.
Despite operating with only a small team of part-time and full-time staff spread across four provinces, Lifewater consistently keeps its administration, fundraising, and salary costs below 10% of its total budget. This lean structure allows the maximum possible resources to go toward delivering safe water in Liberia, Kenya, Nigeria, and Haiti.
