Frequently Asked Questions

General

Are you a registered charity?

Yes. We have been a federally registered organization since 1946. Our Canada Revenue Agency charity registration number is 106863038RR0001.

I have purchased a gift from the Gifts from the Heart catalogue. How do I find out which individual/community will receive my gift?

CLWR's community development work is undertaken in countries in Africa, Latin America and the Middle East.

While CLWR would like to be able to pair each donor's gift with a specific individual or community in which we are working, this is not possible for several reasons:

CLWR is committed to ensuring that as much of each donor dollar as possible is used to implement life-giving programming. The administrative costs of pairing donor gifts with specific communities would significantly decrease the funds available for use to create positive change in communities.

Work in communities takes place on an ongoing basis. In this model, programming is not put on hold until the money is raised from donors, but rather undertaken in good faith that CLWR will raise the money needed to meet the agency's budget projections. And so, for example, if part of the community development plan is to train 100 teachers in the coming year, this is undertaken as needs in various communities are identified. This may be before or after money is actually collected from donors to cover these costs.

Is your staff available to speak at my church or group meeting?

Yes. We have staff in Winnipeg and knowledgeable volunteer representatives across Canada who would be happy to share about CLWR. Contact David Turner about your speaking needs.

What are your administration costs?

Our administration costs are impressively low, at only three per cent. Eighty-eight cents of every dollar you donate is used towards global support. We spend much less on advertising and campaigning than other agencies. Education and public engagement costs are nine per cent. (Numbers are from the 2016-17 fiscal year).

What happens if donations exceed what is needed for a particular purpose?

In cases where donations exceed what is needed for a particular purpose, funds will be redirected to where they are needed most.

CLWR's Donor Restricted Gift Policy

Spending of funds is confined to charity-approved programs and projects. Each contribution directed toward an approved program or project will be used as restricted with the understanding that when the need for such a program or project has been met, or cannot be completed for any reason as determined by the charity, the remaining restricted contributions will be used where most needed.

What is your statement on sexual harassment and sexual misconduct?

Canadian Lutheran World Relief is strongly committed to the dignity and rights of all people.

These values are reflected in CLWR’s internal policies as well as policies we adhere to with partners such as The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) and partners within Canada.

In accordance with these values, we act in ways that respect the dignity, uniqueness, intrinsic worth and human rights of every person. These beliefs are reflected in all we do, especially in the management and implementation of international humanitarian assistance and development programming, which firmly adhere to the guiding principle of “do no harm”.

CLWR (and the LWF) believe(s) that sexual abuse and exploitation is endemic. It is evidenced in all parts of society. Gender and power imbalances, paired with harsh living conditions increase the likelihood of abuse and exploitation of women and men, girls and boys.

In order to safeguard the rights and dignity of the vulnerable people it works with, CLWR and the LWF programming is managed in compliance with the Core Humanitarian Standards, SPHERE Minimum Standards and IASC (Inter-Agency Standing Committee) Mental Health and Psychosocial Support guidelines.

All CLWR staff and CLWR board members are signatory to the CLWR staff and CLWR board standards of conduct. All LWF staff are signatory to the LWF Staff Code of Conduct. A key component of the Code of Conduct is zero tolerance in regards to sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment, abuse of power, fraud and corruption in all of activities. LWF has a responsive, anonymous complaints mechanism which investigates all complaints received, and if it is determined that the Code of Conduct has been violated, necessary procedures and disciplinary measures are applied according to the appropriate LWF personnel policies.

CLWR and its partners, including the LWF, continue to work together to strengthen our safeguarding systems in order to ensure that our work together is truly respectful of the human rights and dignity of those we are assisting.

Where does your funding come from?

We receive funding through public donations, provincial and federal grants, and the two main national Lutheran churches in Canada: Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada and Lutheran Church–Canada.