FAQ
Are you associated with the Seventh-day Adventist Church?
The "Adventist" in Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) is reflective of the fact that the Seventh-day Adventist Church established the agency soon after WWII. Read our History.
Does ADRA Canada try to convert people to Christianity?
ADRA Canada does not engage in any evangelistic activity. It is motivated by God's example of meeting the needs of people with no strings attached. ADRA assists those who need it most without regard for age, ethnicity, race, gender, political or religious affiliation. The ADRA network has a presence in 125 countries and has an established record of working in harmony with, and respecting, a broad array of cultures, traditions and people of non-Christian faith.
Who benefits from ADRA Canada’s programs?
Internationally, the ADRA network focuses on families and communities, with special emphasis on providing for the needs of the most vulnerable, especially mothers and children, through food, health, education, income generation or disaster response initiatives.
During times of disaster or crisis, ADRA Canada assists people in need with immediate relief and often transitions its initiatives to long-term development to help rebuild communities and lives.
Within Canada, ADRA Canada supports a range of services for people affected by poverty, inequality, hardship and distress.
Do ADRA Canada projects benefit Adventist Church members?
If Adventist church members living in the area in which an ADRA office is implementing a development or disaster relief project meet the eligibility criteria for receiving help, they will receive the same assistance as other community members.
ADRA Canada does not discriminate in its provision of services. It helps people in need without regard to their religious affiliation.
How is ADRA Canada accountable to donors?
ADRA Canada is a certified member of the Canadian Council of Christian Charities (CCCC) and is authorized to use the CCCC Seal for Organizational Integrity and Accountability.
ADRA Canada partners with the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and is regularly audited for compliance.
As a registered charity, (#132056813RR0001) ADRA Canada is accountable to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).
ADRA Canada’s commitment to accountability is also evident in its core values of integrity and transparency. Read our Better Business Bureau report.
How is ADRA Canada funded?
ADRA Canada’s international projects are funded with resources and donations received from the public and the Canadian government. The freewill support of private and corporate donors also includes gifts-in-kind. Grants awarded by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) are awarded to ADRA Canada based on a competitive process where ADRA Canada can demonstrate its expertise, solid infrastructure and responsible expenditure of public funds on international projects.
ADRA Canada's projects in Canada (national program) are funded by public donations.
What percentage of my donation supports projects? ADRA Canada uses approximately 10% of donations for administrative functions and approximately 10% for fundraising. However, in reality, 100% of all donations to ADRA goes toward projects. To run a successful project it is critical to have proper staffing, management, monitoring, evaluation, financial services and marketing. These project management support services are required to make the project happen. People are often reluctant to see part of their donation going to these supporting services, but it is important to realise that without them, the project could not happen.
How can I donate in memory of someone?
You can make a donation in memory of a loved one either online or by calling our toll-free number (1.888.274.2372). To make a donation online, visit the Donate Now page and indicate in the Comments box that "this is a memorial gift". Complete your donation and we’ll send a card to you for you to personalize and send to the family if you wish.
Alternatively, you may wish to select an item from our online Gift Catalogue. The procedure is a little different. As you choose items to add to your cart, you are given the option to indicate that the item is a Gift Donation. Select "In memory of a loved one" from the drop-down box and the number of cards you require (in this case, likely only 1) and we'll send you a card to personalize and distribute to your loved ones family if you wish. Then specify the amount before adding the item to your cart and checkout. Please allow 3 weeks for processing and delivery of your gift.
Can I sponsor a child through ADRA Canada?
ADRA Canada’s programs aim to benefit whole communities and families, strengthening intra-community relationships, rather than focusing on a single individual. Therefore, we do not finance child sponsorship programs. However, children are the most significant beneficiaries of ADRA Canada's development projects.
What if ADRA Canada raises more funds than expected for a particular item?
Occasionally, programs receive more funding than is needed for a specific project, or a country's programmatic needs change, ADRA Canada reserves the right to reallocate funds to similar activities without further notice to the donor.
Is my donation eligible for tax credit?
All donations to ADRA Canada of $10.00 or more are eligible for tax credit under Canadian Charity Registration #13205 6813 RR0001
I'm not a Canadian Resident, can I still give to ADRA Canada?
Although we are happy to accept donations from anywhere, donations given by residents of countries outside of Canada are not eligible for tax deductions. Donations given in foreign currencies are subject to variable exchange rates and, in some cases, bank processing fees. You may find that the ADRA office in your country will be able to issue you with a tax-deductible receipt for donations made to them.
I don’t want you to mail me anything, how do I tell you?
ADRA Canada makes every effort to ensure we only send you information you are interested in. We provide our supporters with a monthly e-News and occasionally special e-news bulletins, however we strive to ensure we are not spamming your account. ADRA Canada also sends three or four mailings a year with information regarding projects and special funding opportunities for our supporters. We appreciate your continued interest in the work of ADRA, however if you wish to unsubscribe please follow these simple steps:
To be removed from e-News: Select "Unsubsribe" at the bottom of the emails we are sending.
If you no longer wish to receive "snail mail" from ADRA, simply email pr@adra.ca with the subject line "Unsubsribe" and we will be sure to remove you from our mailing list.
Please note that because many of our mailings are prepared in advance, it might take some time before the change takes full effect. We appreciate your patience and will do everything we can to expedite the process.
Is there government matching of corporate and private donations?
As we are an owner/member of the Canadian Foodgrains Bank, (CFGB) any donations earmarked for our account at the CFGB receive significant government and other partner matching (often in the region of 4:1) when utilized in our CFGB projects.
Not every single donation automatically receives a match. However, ADRA Canada makes every effort to maximize the value of your donation, and we frequently obtain matches from other ADRA offices, governments, and organizations.
Do you accept applications for specific projects? I have a project in mind that I’d like ADRA to support.
Because of Canada’s taxation regulations, ADRA can only accept funds for an overseas project that is both approved and under management control of ADRA Canada.
For tax-deductibility to be granted, all giving to charities must be "disinterested". This means that no donations to ADRA Canada can remain under the control or direction, even in part, of the donor.
How does ADRA Canada choose its implementing partners?
Primarily ADRA Canada works with other offices within the ADRA network. ADRA Canada chooses partners with local and national knowledge of both the community’s challenges and the resources it can bring to a relationship. A major consideration is the level of experience that a partner has in the area, and their capacity to carry out the chosen program, the sector, and the type of intervention required.
Each ADRA country office is a local organization that builds relationships with local communities. The expertise, insights, energy, and resources of local people are used whenever possible to ensure that the solutions are “owned” by the communities that benefit from the partnership.
How does ADRA Canada assure results/outcomes?
Assurance is built in by wisely choosing implementing partners with a track record of delivering successful programs that make a genuine positive difference for communities.
Monitoring, evaluation and audit exercises are all part of the ongoing relationship with implementing partners to ensure positive results. ADRA Canada understands that the ADRA network is a growing and learning organization, and it endeavours to build partnerships that benefit all.
What is the best way to help ADRA Canada respond to a disaster?
Cash donations are the best as they allow ADRA Canada to respond immediately. These donations can be used to purchase relief goods from local merchants to bolster their damaged economy. This process also protects their dignity and honours their right to own their recovery. Procuring items in the region can often stretch donations further, as items are often cheaper and money is spent on aid rather than shipping fees.
While well-intentioned, goods sent to the affected region often do not match real needs and oftentimes further damage the economy by causing local merchants to miss desperately needed sales. Additionally, unsolicited goods (such as used clothing, canned goods, etc.) clog transportation routes, hindering needed supplies from gaining clearance at shipping ports.
To ensure we meet real needs, ADRA Canada provides funding for items identified in needs assessments conducted by on-the-ground coordinating government agencies and the local ADRA office. This coordination also helps ensure multiple agencies do not duplicate services or items provided.
When disasters strike, ADRA Canada turns to its Emergency Response Fund to meet survivors needs. You can donate now. Donations to this fund enable ADRA Canada to make immediate commitments to a disaster response.
I donated to ADRA Canada through my church. Why didn't I receive a receipt from ADRA Canada?
All donations given to churches are forwarded to ADRA Canada as a lump sum and the receipt is provided by the church. This means that your name is not provided to ADRA Canada and we have no record of your portion of the total donation. You will need to contact your church for a receipt.
If you wish to receive a receipt from ADRA Canada or wish to give a donation to a specific project, country or disaster, you must make your donation directly to ADRA Canada by calling 1.888.274.2372, by donating online, or by posting your donation to:
ADRA Canada
1148 King St. E
Oshawa ON, L1H 1H8
How can I volunteer for ADRA Canada?
Thank you for your interest in volunteer opportunities for ADRA Canada.
ADRA only employs professional international development specialist in its work. In country, we mainly employ qualified local persons. If you wish to have a short-term experience with ADRA you may be interested in ADRA Connections