CNEWA Canada is a 2-star charity. The charity has a C- Results Reporting grade, which is below average. Its overhead spending is 9%, within Ci’s reasonable range. Its reserve funds can cover just over 1 year and four months of annual program costs. This is within Ci’s reasonable limit.

Founded by Pope Pius XI in 1926, and under the guidance of Pope Leo XIV, Catholic Near East Welfare Association Canada (CNEWA) works for, though and with Eastern Catholic churches to build up and maintain churches and respond to human needs. CNEWA Canada is the Canadian arm of the Catholic Near East Welfare Association worldwide. It connects to churches and provides support in the Middle East, Northeast Africa, India, and Eastern Europe. CNEWA runs two programs: Responding to Human Needs and Accompanying the Church.  

Responding to Human Needs received 66% of program spending. The charity runs childcare initiatives to support schools, orphanages, and centres for children with special needs. The program also runs special needs institutions for adults, hospice programs, and rehabilitation for substance abusers, prisoners, and other social cases. The charity supports people in emergency crises. In Syria, the charity reported that it assisted approximately 7,000 school children who were at risk of dropping out due to financial constraints. It works with local partners to provide medical services to approximately 2,000 people annually in Syria. After the 2023 earthquake, CNEWA stated that it provided bedding, food, medicine, nursing formula, diapers, and clothing to over 2,000 families in Syria. In 2024, CNEWA reported that it offered hot meals to 760 displaced Christians sheltering in Gaza. The charity runs healthcare programs, including maternity clinics and grants for facility upgrades and maintenance. It runs sustainability programs such as vocational training schools, microcredit loans, and self-reliance initiatives.  

Accompanying the Church received 31% of program spending. The charity funds the formation of seminaries and religious houses, university chaplaincies, and provides advanced studies for clergy and scholarships for priests. It fortifies local churches through repairing parish facilities and supporting Church programs such as pastoral initiatives and youth formation programs. The charity states that its catechetical formation programs in Syria serve approximately 9,000 children, youths, and adults. 

The remaining 3% of program spending went to Public Awareness in 2024.

The charity’s audited financial statements follow activity-based costing, which is a best practice. However, it does not provide a cash flow statement or the accompanying financial notes. 

In 2024, CNEWA Canada reported $5.5m in donations, which is a 16% decrease from 2023. In 2024, the charity spent $37k on administration, which is 1% of revenues (less investment income). The charity spent $430k on fundraising, which is 8% of donations. This results in overhead spending of 9%. For every dollar donated, 91 cents are available to go to the cause. This is within Ci’s reasonable range for overhead spending. 

In 2024, CNEWA Canada reported a deficit of $130k and recorded net funding reserves of $7.4m. This reserve can cover 132%, or 1 year and four months of annual program costs.  

Profile updated by Leah Holmes on July 14, 2025. This charity report is an update that has been sent to the charity for review. Comments and corrections may be forthcoming.