2024 Accountability Report

Transforming Lives.

Inspiring Meaning and Purpose.

Building a Better World.

100 Amazing Years

Head shot of Sarah Charters wearing a black turtleneck and royal blue jacket, against a grey backdrop

Sarah Charters, Executive Officer of Philanthropy

In this, our Centennial year, we are both looking back and looking forward. In this report, I want to touch on the history of Mission and Service and what it has meant for our church.

Mission and Service started this journey in 1925, the same year as church Union, and it was initially called the Maintenance and Extension Fund. From that point onward, Mission and Service has evolved and adapted to many changes within The United Church of Canada as well as in our Canadian and global context. However, through Mission and Service, the people of the United Church have always responded with love, care, and concern to the needs of others. From the “Our Church in Action Around the World” campaign in the 1950s, to the “Horn of Africa Appeal” in the 1990s, to support for partners during the COVID pandemic, we have rallied to help when it was most needed. We continued in 2024 with total donations, which are primarily Mission and Service, so generously shared of just over $23 million.

This gives me confidence as we look into the future. There will be change and challenges, but your commitment, the members of The United Church of Canada, cannot be questioned. You will be there, supporting work through Mission and Service, and ensuring that we continue to help transform lives, inspire meaning and purpose, and build a better world.

We invite you to review the information in this Accountability Report to learn more about all the good work your Mission and Service gifts are doing. Thank you for your support and bless you for your commitment to the future.

Our Work Together in 2024

2024 was another year of challenges. Continuing conflicts globally and the impact of climate change and other natural disasters were frequently in the news and calling for support. In Canada, the need to feed the hungry and house the homeless continued to grow. We offer thanks that your compassion continued to flow in the form of Mission and Service gifts that provided valuable assistance in the face of these many challenges.

In 2024 Mission and Service provided funding globally to 68 organizations in 23 countries. In Canada, each of our 16 regions received $180,000 to provide grants and program support to ministries in their areas.

Thank you for your generosity. As we did in 2023, we are reporting the results of the Mission and Service funding in alignment with the Strategic Plan Objectives.

In 2024 We Committed...

Just over $23 million to the work of the church, supporting those in need in Canada and around the world.

84% of funds spent in Canada

16% of funds spent globally

In 2025, we are reporting the 2024 results in alignment with the Strategic Plan Objectives. These are the ways your United Church of Canada is moving forward into the future.

27.7% Embolden Justice: Collaborating to Mend Church and World: Make meaningful collective progress on Indigenous justice, racial equity, and Two Spirit or LGBTQIA+ rights both in the church and world, while demonstrably deepening bold effective solidarity on other justice issues, through ecumenical collaboration and denominational networking.
22% Invigorate Leadership: Adapting and Innovating for Bold Discipleship: Renew a vision of leadership based on the call of the denomination—deep spirituality, bold discipleship and daring justice—and align discernment, recruitment, training, and support of ordered and lay leadership, to this vision.
23% Journeying Indigenous Pathways: Forging Right Relations: Deepen Indigenization and healing in The United Church of Canada towards self-determination and the possibility of reconciliation.
19.8% Growth – Strengthen Invitation: Humility and Confidence in Sharing Faith: Develop and implement effective and connected regional and national strategies that result in growth within existing ministries, and by seeding and sustaining new expressions of communities of faith.
4.6% Nurture the Common Good: Equity and Sustainability in Resources: Significantly increase denominational capacity and will to make decisions on properties and resources focused on the ministry of the whole church, enhancing equity, sustainability, right relations, and administrative efficiency and effectiveness.
2.9% Deepen Integrity: Living Climate Commitments: Amplify and integrate current initiatives in a bold, hopeful denominational climate strategy that accelerates reductions towards the goal of an 80% decrease in emissions by 2030.

Respite and Reflection

For northern United Church ministers who continue to face an overwhelming crisis of deaths in their communities, the emotional tolls of ministering to grieving communities has been enormous. At a Pastors Retreat in October 2024 supported by your generosity, these faith leaders were provided with badly needed rest and renewal. Read their story.

“The retreat provided rest, training in crisis management, and spiritual renewal, and allowed leaders to return with renewed strength to help those in need. Pastors participated in a blend of activities, including learning about vicarious trauma and experiencing relaxation opportunities through art therapy, beading workshops, and sharing circles.”

Aerial view of a northern Canadian lake with fall colours.

Supporting Community Resilience in Zimbabwe

Farmers work together in a field in Zimbabwe

In Zimbabwe, severe drought, disease outbreaks, and economic instability contribute to food shortages that take a heavy toll on communities. Through its Scaling Up Resilience Project, the Zimbabwe Council of Churches is supporting practical, long-term solutions for a secure future, emphasizing climate-smart farming, gender equality, and community-driven initiatives. Read their story.

“By promoting gender equality, supporting financial resilience through savings and loans programs, and ensuring that all community members, including the elderly and those with disabilities, are included, the project is creating a brighter future for thousands of people.”

Supporting Young Adults Through Transformative Years

Since 1968, the Ecumenical Campus Ministry (ECM) at the University of Guelph, a partnership of the Anglican, Presbyterian, and United Churches, has brought meaningful guidance and community to youth at the university. Thanks in part to Mission and Service gifts, the ministry continues to reach out to young adults during some of the most transformative years of their lives. Read their story.

“Over the 2023/24 academic year, ECM was able to serve 25 free meals to university students, provide weekly worship services right on campus, conduct field trips to 10 local churches, hold three public presentations on issues of faith and inclusivity, mentor five student leaders, host two different weekend retreats, and coordinate the Queer Christian Community for 2SLGBTQIA+ students at the University of Guelph. This just scratches the surface!”

Members of the University of Guelph Ecumenical Campus Ministry pose together

Your Generosity Reached Out to Those Impacted by War

Icons depicting Healthcare, water, food, shelter, and love

2024 saw continuations of ongoing conflicts like the war in Ukraine and the one in Israel and Palestine. Your support has enabled our partners to continue to support those most affected by war and displaced as refugees.

In 2024 approximately $416 thousand was sent to support the work of our partners and bring aid to those affected. Families and children who are fleeing war are provided with food, clothing, shelter, medical supplies and safe housing. Your Christian compassion is making this possible.