Canadian National Institute for the Blind is a 4-star charity. It has an A Results Reporting grade, which is above average. For every dollar donated, 58 cents are available to go to the cause, which is outside Ci's reasonable range. 

Founded in 1918, Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) supports people impacted by blindness or vision impairment. CNIB runs programs and advocacy campaigns to help those affected by blindness live the lives they choose. The charity reports that 1.5 million Canadians experience sight loss, and 5.6 million have an eye disease that could cause vision loss. CNIB runs six programs for people impacted by blindness: Technology, Peer Support, Careers and Employment, Sports and Recreation, Children and Youth, and Advocacy. In F2024, CNIB spent $56.8m on its programs and reached 12,227 people.

Peer Support and Vision Mate represented 32% ($18.2m) of program costs in F2024. CNIB runs programs that improve everyday life for those with vision impairments. In F2024, CNIB reached 3,657 people through its Peer Support program and 1,488 people through its Vision Mate program. Vision Mate matches people who are blind with volunteers who provide companionship and assistance with everyday tasks. Since the founding of its Guide Dogs program CNIB has provided over 250 guide dogs to people.

Sports and Recreation represented 26% ($14.8m) of program costs in F2024. CNIB helps people with sight loss foster an active and healthy lifestyle. The charity organizes a variety of adapted sporting events throughout the year, such as five-a-side soccer and hockey. In F2024, CNIB reached 2,809 people through this program.

Technology represented 17% ($9.7m) of program costs in F2024. This program helps individuals with sight loss gain access to technology to help increase independence. In F2024, CNIB reached 4,544 people through its Technology program. CNIB gave 670 new and refurbished mobile phones to visually impaired people. The charity’s SmartLife program provided early availability of ten new adaptive technology devices to Canadians.

Careers and Employment represented 12% ($6.8m) of program costs in F2024. CNIB provides people with sight loss the skills and resources to achieve their career ambitions. In F2024, CNIB reached 1,904 people through its Careers program.

Children and Youth represented 7% ($4.0m) of program costs in F2024. CNIB provides support to visually impaired youth across Canada and educates teachers on how to best support their blind students. In F2024, CNIB reached 1,110 people through this program. CNIB created an inclusive school resource package and curriculum that reached over 86,000 teachers in F2024.

Advocacy represented 5% ($2.8m) of program costs in F2024. CNIB advocates to various levels of government to improve the lives of people living with sight loss. In F2025, CNIB supported 1,695 people through its Advocacy program. The charity reports it delivered 140 advocacy programs that reached over 2,000 participants across Canada. In F2024, CNIB met with over 30 politicians and transit representatives to make transit systems more accessible.

The charity did not provide a breakdown of where it spent the remaining 1% ($568k) of program costs in F2024.

Canadian National Institute for the Blind’s audited financial statements use activity-based costing, which is a best practice. In F2023, the charity restated its F2022 numbers, which moved some fundraising costs to administrative costs.

In F2024, CNIB received $43.8m in donations and $9.0m in government funding. The charity also earned $11.1m from product sales and rent. In F2024, CNIB spent $56.8m on its program, which is 73% of revenue, and recorded a deficit of $178k.

CNIB spent $14.5m on fundraising, which is 33% of donations, and $6.3m on administration, which is 9% of revenue (excluding investment income). Total overhead spending is 42%. For every dollar donated, 58 cents are available to go to the cause, which is outside Ci’s reasonable range.

CNIB has $68.5m in reserve funds (cash and investments, less interest-bearing debt), of which $13.8m is donor endowed. Excluding donor-endowed funds, the charity’s reserves can cover 1 year and 2 months of its annual program costs, within Ci’s reasonable range.

In F2024, CNIB ran a lottery that raised $11.5m and returned $3.2m after expenses, meaning 28 cents of every dollar went to the cause.

CNIB uses external fundraisers. In F2024, CNIB paid fundraisers $7.1m to collect $9.2m. It costs 78 cents to raise a dollar through external fundraisers. It is likely more efficient to donate directly to the charity.  

This charity report is an update that has been sent to CNIB for review.

Updated on July 29, 2025 by Liam Chapleau.