About A.O.K.

We’d like to help inform you about high impact and high need charitable work happening locally and internationally. Contributing to these charitable organizations is a powerful way to make the world a more safe and sustainable place.

Charity selection

Methodology

When evaluating charitable organizations, we look at four areas:

➞ Need

➞ Efficiency

➞ Impact

➞ Transparency

1 — Need

Charities that need our help

The need for funding can be determined by comparing how much the charitable organization spends in a year on charitable programs and how much they have in reserves. We are looking for organizations in need of additional funding.

In order to make a bigger impact and create greater awareness, we also look to include organisations that are smaller in size.

2 — Efficiency

Charities that spend mostly on programming

We look for organizations that spend at least 80% of their funds on programming that advances their mission.

3 — Impact

Charities that create real change

We look for charities that effectively solve the problems they're trying to address. We look at their impact, and the quality of their services.

4 — Transparency

Charities that are transparent

The charities we choose provide public information on its governance, programs, and financials. We choose charities that meet the following criteria:

• Mission statement and goals are published

• Annual reporting on program outcomes are available

• Board of Directors are listed

• Key staff are listed

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Questions or Comments?

We're always improving our methodology. If you have any questions or comments, please write to us >

If you have a charitable organization that you run or support and would like us to consider adding it to our list of vetted charities, please write to us >

* The country of Canada is written with an asterisk (*) to draw attention to and acknowledge that the land in which many of these charitable organizations are found and where AOK operates is situated upon the many territories of several strong and vibrant First Nations, Metis and Inuit communities. An estimation of traditional territories can be found on this map: https://native-land.ca/ or through contacting (as well as supporting) a local Friendship Centre: https://nafc.ca/friendship-centres/find-a-friendship-centre.

AOK currently operates in Tkaronto (also written as: Toronto) which is the territory of the Wendat, Haudenosaunee, the Anishinabek, and the Mississaugas of the Credit Nations. This territory is covered by the Dish With One Spoon Wampum Belt Covenant, an agreement between the Anishinabek and Haudenosaunee allied nations to peaceably share and care for the lands around the Great Lakes.

AOK recognizes and respects the many Nations of Indigenous Peoples on Turtle Island. We recognize and are distressed by the impact of colonization and continued systemic racism, and are committed to highlighting Indigenous run and Indigenous serving organizations that work towards reconciliation >