Tearfund Canada
Tearfund Canada is a registered Canadian charity (founded 1970s) that mobilizes Canadian churches and individual donors to fund Church-Based Community Transformation programs addressing extreme poverty in Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, DRC, South Sudan, India, and Indigenous Canada.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1970
- HeadquartersScarborough (Toronto area), Canada
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Tearfund Canada does
Tearfund Canada is a registered Canadian charity founded in the 1970s in response to the Ethiopian famine, headquartered in Scarborough, Ontario (mailing address Markham), and a member of the global Tearfund Family network of nine country entities that collectively implement roughly $250 million in programs annually across 50+ countries. The organization mobilizes Canadian churches and individual donors to fund poverty alleviation programming in seven countries: Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, India, and domestically in Canada through First Nations reconciliation work. The core delivery model is the Church-Based Community Transformation (CCT) framework—a five-phase methodology that trains local congregations to address holistic poverty (physical, spiritual, emotional, social) through locally-owned interventions rather than external aid deployments.
Tearfund Canada's programmatic portfolio spans church mobilization, conservation agriculture (training farmers in minimal tillage, mulching, and intercropping for 2-3x yield gains), Village Savings and Loans groups, creation care/climate adaptation, emergency relief with NEXUS transition programming, and biblically-based trauma healing for sexual and gender-based violence survivors. Supporting engagement programs include the Outpour Partner monthly giving program ($50/month), Discovery Trips to program countries, Tearfund Sunday church events, the Bring Back the Buffalo reconciliation project with First Nations, and the Kernels of Hope virtual farming program. Technology is operationally light: the CCT methodology, web-based donation infrastructure, and content delivery channels rather than a software platform.
Tearfund Canada is funded by individual donations (one-time, monthly Outpour, stock gifts, legacy bequests), church partnerships, government contracts via Global Affairs Canada, and matching flows through its Canadian Foodgrains Bank representation that can multiply donations 2-4x. In 2024 the organization invested over $6.7 million across seven programs, with 84% of every dollar directed to programs and emergency aid, 12% to fundraising, and 4% to administration. The Canadian staff complement is approximately 12-14 people supported by regional representatives across Manitoba/Saskatchewan, Ontario, and BC/Alberta. The organization was recognized as a Charity Intelligence Top 100 Canadian charity in 2022, 2024, and 2025, and holds full CHS Alliance membership and CCCC's Seal of Financial Accountability.
Tearfund Canada firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Tearfund Canada
- Legal name
- Tearfund Canada
- Website
- https://tearfund.ca
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1970
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- Tearfund Canada is a registered Canadian charity (founded 1970s) that mobilizes Canadian churches and individual donors to fund Church-Based Community Transformation programs addressing extreme poverty in Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, DRC, South Sudan, India, and Indigenous Canada.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Tearfund Canada industry classification
Industry- Product category
- International Development and Humanitarian Aid
- NAICS
- Religious Organizations (8131), Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Other Grantmaking and Giving Services (813219)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Faith-Based Humanitarian Aid & Relief Ministries (BPAGAJAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Faith-Based Social Services & Community Outreach (Food Pantries, Shelters, Counseling) (BPAGAJAG), International Grantmaking & Development Foundations (BPAGAKAH), Faith-Based & Mission Service Programs (EDAIAGAI)
Keywords
Where Tearfund Canada is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Scarborough (Toronto area)
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Tearfund Canada business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Others, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- Individual Donations: Donations from individual Canadians supporting poverty alleviation programs. Includes one-time gifts, monthly Outpour Partner contributions, and stock donations.
- Church Partnerships: Financial support and engagement from Canadian churches through designated programs, Tearfund Sunday initiatives, and ongoing mission partnerships.
- Government Funding: Contracts from Global Affairs Canada and matching programs through Canadian Foodgrains Bank membership, providing government-matched giving that can multiply donations 2-4x.
- Planned Giving/Legacy Gifts: Bequests, gift annuities, and life insurance designated to Tearfund Canada as part of donors' estate planning.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Outpour Partner - Monthly giving program |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | One-time donations at various levels |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Legacy/Planned Giving |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
Tearfund Canada product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Tearfund Canada is a registered Canadian charity that alleviates extreme poverty by mobilizing, training, and equipping local churches in the Global South through its proprietary Church-Based Community Transformation (CCT) model. Programs span Church Mobilization, Conservation Agriculture, Village Savings and Loans, Creation Care/Climate Adaptation, Emergency Relief, and Trauma Healing/SGBV Recovery, implemented in 7 countries (Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, DRC, South Sudan, India, and Canada). The organization raises and channels donor funds — distributing 84% of every dollar to programs — through individual donations, church partnerships, government-matched grants via the Canadian Foodgrains Bank, and legacy/planned gifts.
Product overview
Tearfund Canada operates as a charitable organization focused on ending extreme poverty through a church-based community transformation model. The organization offers a coordinated portfolio of programs including Church Mobilization (CCT), Food Security/Conservation Agriculture, Poverty Alleviation through Village Savings and Loans Groups, Creation Care/Climate Adaptation, Emergency Relief, Trauma Healing/SGBV Recovery, and the Bring Back the Buffalo First Nations reconciliation project. Supporting programs include the Outpour Partner monthly giving initiative, Discovery Trips, Kernels of Hope virtual farming, Tearfund Sunday church engagement events, and various church resources including Bible studies and educational courses. The organization primarily raises funds through donations rather than selling products, with 84% of funds directed to programs.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Outpour Partner: Monthly giving program where donors commit to regular monthly contributions to help families escape extreme poverty and strengthen local churches.
- Tearfund Sunday
- Bring Back the Buffalo
- Kernels of Hope
Products and services
- Church Mobilization / Church and Community Transformation (CCT)
- Food Security / Conservation Agriculture
- Village Savings and Loans Groups
Quantifiable outcome
- 942,034 lives impacted in 2024-2025
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Tearfund Canada
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Tearfund Canada technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Tearfund Canada partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Canadian Foodgrains BankcoreTearfund Canada is the official representative of the Canadian Foodgrains Bank, enabling access to government-matched funding that can multiply donations 2-4x. During emergency situations, church donations can be matched up to 4 times through this partnership.
- Loko KoacoreIndigenous ministry partnership for the Bring Back the Buffalo reconciliation project, facilitating the return of buffalo herds to First Nations land as an act of reconciliation and cultural restoration.
- EFICOR (Evangelical Fellowship of India Commissioning and Relief)coreTearfund's implementing partner in India, carrying out conservation agriculture, emergency relief, and livelihood programs through local churches and communities.
- Fadhili TrustcoreKenya-based Christian organization implementing Tearfund programs including conservation agriculture and savings groups in partnership with local churches.
- CBCA (Communauté Baptiste au Centre de l'Afrique)coreBaptist church network in the Democratic Republic of Congo implementing food security, agriculture, and community empowerment programs. Currently coordinating Ebola response efforts.
- DCT (Diocese of Ruaha Church)coreDiocesan church partner in Tanzania implementing Tearfund programs including conservation agriculture, savings groups, and church mobilization.
- TerepezaminorInternational partner organization implementing development programs in their respective country context.
- EKHCDCminorChurch-based implementing partner organization.
- MCC (Mennonite Central Committee)minorInternational humanitarian organization and Tearfund partner for relief and development programming.
- CIRDAminorChurch-based implementing partner organization.
- Canadian Centre for Christian Charities (CCCC)coreProfessional association for Christian charities in Canada. Tearfund subscribes to CCCC's Seal of Financial Accountability and undergoes annual review for accountability standards.
- CHS AlliancecoreCore Humanitarian Standards Alliance - Tearfund Canada became a full member in 2020, supporting quality and accountability standards for people affected by crisis.
- The FellowshipminorCanadian denominational partner church network engaged in mission partnerships with Tearfund.
- Advisors with PurposeminorEstate planning advisory partnership offering free, confidential estate planning services to Tearfund donors as part of legacy giving program.
- Link Charity CanadaminorPartner for issuing charitable gift annuities, providing lifelong stream of annual tax-free income to donors in exchange for contributions to Tearfund.
- EpilogueminorOnline will-creation platform partner offering discounted will services ($139) for Tearfund donors.
Scale indicators15 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights7 records
Tearfund Canada competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- World Vision Canada: Large Canadian Christian humanitarian organization focused on child sponsorship and community development. Directly comparable as a faith-based Canadian charity raising funds domestically for international poverty alleviation through church partnerships.
- Compassion Canada: Canadian arm of Compassion International, a Christian child sponsorship and community development organization. Comparable model of faith-driven donor mobilization funding church-partnered international programs.
- Mennonite Central Committee Canada: An Anabaptist faith-based relief and development organization operating internationally. Comparable as a Canadian-rooted, church-partnered humanitarian organization delivering programs through local implementing partners.
- Samaritan's Purse Canada: Canadian affiliate of the Franklin Graham-led evangelical humanitarian organization. Directly comparable as a faith-based charity focusing on disaster relief, emergency response, and international development with strong church engagement.
- A Rocha Canada: Canadian branch of an international Christian conservation organization. Comparable as a faith-based organization focused on creation care and community-based environmental programs—directly relevant to Tearfund's Creation Care program.
- CBM (Christian Blind Mission) Canada: Canadian arm of an international Christian disability and poverty-focused NGO. Comparable faith-based, donor-funded model with similar church partnership and individual donor channels.
- Emmanuel International Canada: Canadian Christian mission organization working through local churches for community development internationally. Closely comparable church-based transformation model and Canadian donor base.
Broad incumbents
- Canadian Foodgrains Bank: A Canadian alliance of churches and agencies addressing global hunger. Tearfund Canada is an official member, making it both a partner and comparable incumbent in the Canadian Christian humanitarian space.
- Habitat for Humanity Canada: Larger Canadian nonprofit focused on housing poverty alleviation. Comparable as a Canadian registered charity raising domestic donations for international and domestic community development, though secular in positioning.
- Tearfund UK: The originating UK member of the Tearfund Family network. Comparable as the same brand/methodology (CCT) but at significantly larger scale, providing both benchmarking and operational best-practice transfer to Tearfund Canada.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Tearfund Canada social profiles
Digital presenceTearfund Canada financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Tearfund Canada leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles16 records
Tearfund Canada funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Tearfund Canada M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Tearfund Canada
What does Tearfund Canada do?
Tearfund Canada is a registered Canadian charity that alleviates extreme poverty by mobilizing, training, and equipping local churches in the Global South through its proprietary Church-Based Community Transformation (CCT) model. Programs span Church Mobilization, Conservation Agriculture, Village Savings and Loans, Creation Care/Climate Adaptation, Emergency Relief, and Trauma Healing/SGBV Recovery, implemented in 7 countries (Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, DRC, South Sudan, India, and Canada). The organization raises and channels donor funds — distributing 84% of every dollar to programs — through individual donations, church partnerships, government-matched grants via the Canadian Foodgrains Bank, and legacy/planned gifts.
Is Tearfund Canada a public or private company?
Tearfund Canada is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Tearfund Canada founded?
Tearfund Canada was founded in 1970.
Where is Tearfund Canada based?
Tearfund Canada is headquartered in Scarborough (Toronto area), Canada, in the North America region.
How does Tearfund Canada make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations are the primary driver. The others are church Partnerships, government Funding and planned Giving/Legacy Gifts.
Who are Tearfund Canada's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are World Vision Canada, Compassion Canada, Mennonite Central Committee Canada, Samaritan's Purse Canada, A Rocha Canada, CBM (Christian Blind Mission) Canada and Emmanuel International Canada. Broad incumbents are Canadian Foodgrains Bank, Habitat for Humanity Canada and Tearfund UK.
Does Tearfund Canada have an API?
No public API is recorded for Tearfund Canada.
What industry is Tearfund Canada in?
Tearfund Canada's product category is International Development and Humanitarian Aid. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAJAF, Faith-Based Humanitarian Aid & Relief Ministries, with a secondary code of BPAGAJAG, Faith-Based Social Services & Community Outreach (Food Pantries, Shelters, Counseling). Its NAICS code is 8131 and its SIC code is 8300.