5 Best Charities in Edmonton Where Your Giving Goes Further
Finding a trustworthy cause usually means wading through mailers and vague mission statements, and I want to know exactly where my money goes.
Good giving needs clear goals and open books. So I researched local organizations and checked their transparency, impact, and ways to donate.
After much research, here are the best charities in Edmonton and what each one does for the local community.
1. Kaleo Collective
Website: https://kaleocollective.ca/
Address: 10320 146 Street
Contact: +1 780-283-6262 (780-283-MAMA) | [email protected]
Hours: Monday to Friday: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM | Saturday and Sunday: Closed
Single parents often carry a heavy load while balancing money and family life alone. Kaleo Collective steps in with life-skills courses and mental health programs made for single mothers.
Their main offering is the flexible Single Mom Resource Course, which has a four-week core and an optional two-week budgeting add-on. Participants can take it in person or online.
They also run a free virtual support group every Thursday. This gives mothers across Canada a safe space to connect with no long-term commitment.
If you want to support their work, you’ll like that they publish full annual reports and use a zero-fee donation platform. I also asked about volunteering, and they sent back a clear list of ways to help.
The catch is that their narcissistic abuse recovery program requires participants to finish the Single Mom Resource Course first, which delays quick access to this care.
Customer Reviews
I can’t say enough good things about this charity and its organizers
The Little Santa’s put on by Kaleo was a delight to volunteer for. What the organization does for single moms and dads and their kiddos for Christmas is very special to see and be apart of. I can’t say enough good things about this charity and its organizers.
Cynthia Hughes | Google Review
Kaleo collective is a hidden gem of hope
Kaleo collective is a hidden gem of hope. This tiny but mighty charity is helping in ways that we won’t even know of for years, the trickle down effect of what Kaleo Collective does for these single mommas will change the world.
Keep up the amazing work Kaleo. And anyone who can help out please consider donating to this amazing charity!!! ❤💞❤💞❤
Sandra Manturzyk | Google Review
2. Sorrentino’s Compassion House
Website: https://www.compassionhouse.org/
Address: 10909 76 Avenue
Contact: +1 780-425-7224 | Toll-free: +1 888-425-7474 | [email protected]
Hours: Office: Monday to Friday: 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM | Saturday, Sunday and statutory holidays: Closed | Guest services and house: Open 24 hours daily
Travelling to a new city for care adds stress to an already scary cancer diagnosis. Sorrentino’s Compassion House eases that for women who travel to Edmonton for treatment, with private rooms and help getting around.
The house has 16 private suites with en-suite bathrooms and 24-hour staff support. Guests also get a free shuttle to and from their medical appointments, so getting around is one less worry.
If you’d rather give your time, the house also offers volunteering opportunities for people who want to help cook, assist with transport, or run guest activities.
On the giving side, companies and those planning their estate can donate securities, monthly gifts, and legacy gifts.
However, a stay here isn’t free. Standard suites cost $55 to $75 per night for short stays, and meals aren’t included, so you’ll need to budget for food on top of the room.
Customer Reviews
I could feel the love as soon as I walked in there
I had a family member stay here, all I can say is wow. The space is very welcoming, clean & I love how they have a wide variety of activities for each person staying there. I could feel the love as soon as I walked in there. Thank you for offering this amazing place!!
Sydney Rollheiser | Google Review
I highly recommend you check this great and welcoming house
Wonderful.
Here for 7 days Thankyou to all. Staff are very helpful always smiling. They make it fun when we are going through this challenging time. If you are needing.a place to stay I highly recommend you check this great and welcoming house. Thank you again. Hugs
Bobbi Garberding | Google Review
3. University Hospital Foundation
Website: https://givetouhf.ca/
Address: 8440 112 Street, Room 1H1.91
Contact: +1 833-448-3843 | [email protected]
Hours: Main office: Monday to Friday: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM | Saturday and Sunday: Closed
Hospitals need more funding than government budgets cover. The University Hospital Foundation supports health care at major local sites, including the Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute and the Kaye Edmonton Clinic.
They fund many initiatives, from disease prevention to advanced hospital technology.
If one department once saved a family member’s life, you can direct your gift to that program as long as it fits the hospital’s needs.
Corporate giving teams often partner with them because they publish independently audited financial statements that show where the money goes. They also issue official tax receipts for eligible donations.
Keep in mind that they may apply a 10% sustainability allocation to gifts to cover running costs, so the full amount doesn’t always reach the program you choose.
In-kind gifts also have to meet a partner need or support fundraising.
4. Alberta Dreams Foundation
Website: https://www.albertadreams.ca/
Address: 12122 68 Street, Suite 7
Contact: +1 780-469-3306 | [email protected]
Hours: Monday to Friday: 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM | Saturday and Sunday: Closed
Children living with a severe chronic illness deserve moments of joy just as much as those facing a life-threatening one. The Alberta Dreams Foundation grants dreams to children with either kind of diagnosis.
They accept referrals from teachers, medical staff, and even the children themselves. I really like this since a child’s dream doesn’t depend on a parent finding the foundation first.
If you want to support their work, they publish stories of granted dreams that show donors the joy their money creates.
A neighbour of mine organized a corporate fundraiser for them last year, and the foundation gave great logistical guidance.
Families and estate planners can also set up memorial giving with tax receipts.
Unfortunately, the foundation won’t grant some requests, including medical travel, home renovations, and motor vehicles. Children who’ve already had a dream granted aren’t eligible again.
Customer Reviews
nothing short of extraordinary
Alecia and the entire Alberta Dreams team are nothing short of extraordinary. Their dedication to ensuring every child receives a once-in-a-lifetime gift is truly remarkable. We are forever grateful for the incredible blessing you have bestowed upon our daughter — it is something our family will cherish always. May you continue to touch the lives of more families and keep turning dreams into reality. God bless your foundation abundantly.
Jaylord Andrada | Google Review
They are so easy to work with and very transparent about the whole process
Alberta Dreams gifted our family the trip of a lifetime! They are so easy to work with and very transparent about the whole process. Amazing organization! They gifted us a week away from all the demands of everyday life, something we will never forget!
Stephanie Tellier | Google Review
5. Bosco Foundation
Website: https://www.boscofoundation.com/
Address: 6770 129 Avenue, Room 315
Contact: +1 780-809-8585, Ext. 1 | Fax: 780-809-8586 | [email protected]
Hours: Monday to Friday: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM | Saturday and Sunday: Closed
Small community groups often burn through their budgets just paying rent. The Bosco Foundation tackles this by renting affordable space to other local charities.
By covering the building side, they let cultural groups, youth cadets and early childhood programs focus on their work.
They support people directly too, through bursaries for post-secondary students with a strong volunteering record. That rewards students who already give back to their communities.
For donors, giving is simple. You can give cash, securities or in-kind gifts, and eligible gifts get official tax receipts.
However, gifts pay for buildings and bursaries, not for emergency cash or food relief for individuals.
Support also goes only to the people and groups the foundation chooses, so outside groups can’t count on help.
Customer Reviews
a true place of humanity and community
The Bosco Foundation is a true place of humanity and community. The building itself stands as a powerful testimony to a long‑standing legacy of service and compassion. It’s an inspiring environment where nonprofits can grow, collaborate, and shape a better future for generations to come. A remarkable foundation with an even more remarkable mission.
Rudy D.K. | Google Review