Where support begins
How Catholic Charities is funded
Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Toronto (CCAT) receives its funding primarily through ShareLife, the fundraising initiative of the Archdiocese of Toronto.
Donations and bequests—gifts left through estates—also help Catholic Charities respond to emerging needs, support special projects and provide grants to organizations beyond its member-agency network.
Working together
ShareLife and Catholic Charities
ShareLife is the primary source of funding for Catholic Charities. Through the generosity of its supporters, ShareLife helps sustain the services delivered by our member agencies.
Our roles are complementary: ShareLife raises funds, while Catholic Charities assesses community needs and allocates funding to support agencies’ work. Together, we help connect generosity with care for people who need it.
Learn how you can support this work.
Supporting our communities
How funding supports member agencies
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Agency services at work
A member-agency setting where funded services happen: a counsellor’s welcoming office, a seniors’ program table set with cups and games, or staff hands sorting supplies. Faces optional or from behind; nobody framed as “in need”.
Catholic Charities allocates funds to member agencies that provide services responding to ongoing and emerging community needs.
Most member agencies receive funding from Catholic Charities. Some receive sufficient support from other sources and do not receive funding through these allocations.
Where funding goes
Funding by service area
Catholic Charities supports a range of services through its member agencies, helping individuals and families at different stages of life.
These service areas include children and youth, community and family services, people with disabilities, seniors and young parents.
The funding breakdown below shows how support was distributed across service areas.
- Community & Family Services 71%
- Seniors 17%
- People with Disabilities 6%
- Young Parents 4%
- Children & Youth 2%
Data collected as of December 2020.
Responding to emerging needs
Funding beyond our member agencies
Catholic Charities also provides one-time grants to non-member organizations for projects that align with its service priorities. Donations and estate gifts help support these initiatives and special projects addressing emerging needs.
Our Community Grants pages explain the program’s funding priorities, eligibility requirements and application process.