10 Powerful Canadian Charities that Support the Outdoors and Adventure
When spring arrives, people start to think about trading in snowshoes for hiking boots, or skis for paddles. It’s also tax time—and time to think about what charities you might want to donate to to get a break on your tax returns.
Anything you donate now won’t be deductible until 2026. However, because of a new amendment, donations made as late as February 28, 2025, may be claimed this year. After that date, your donation will have to be included in next year’s return. Check the Government of Canada website for details.
Here are 10 donation-worthy Canadian outdoor-adventure charities. For charitable donation tax receipt specifics, check with each organization.
Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society
First formed in 1962, CPAWS focuses on fighting climate change and protecting parks and other protected areas, coastlines and wildlife. They practise advocacy on both national and regional levels.
CPAWS works with Indigenous, provincial and federal governments to create large protected and interconnected areas: places that can nurse nature through climate change and shelter plants and animals forever.
Some of the other organizations they collaborate with include the Forest Stewardship Council and Leave No Trace Canada.
Donate online here.
By phone: 1-800-333-WILD (9453)
Snail-mail: 600-100 Gloucester Street, Ottawa, ON K2P 0A4
Canadian Wildlife Federation
The Canadian Wildlife Federation is a national, charitable organization dedicated to conserving Canada’s wildlife and habitat.
By sharing knowledge of human impacts on wildlife and the environment, conducting hands-on programs to conserve and restore species and habitats, developing and delivering conservation education programs, advocating for changes to government policies and co-operating with like-minded partners, CWF encourages a future in which Canadians can live in harmony with nature, one where wildlife thrives.
Donate online here.
By phone: 1-877-599-5777
Snail-mail: 350 Michael Cowpland Drive, Kanata, Ontario K2M 2W1
Environmental Defence Canada
Environmental Defence works to protect the Canadian environment in many ways.
“For over 40 years, Environmental Defence has worked at the municipal, provincial and federal level to safeguard our freshwater, create livable communities, decrease Canadians’ exposure to toxic chemicals, end plastic pollution, tackle climate change and build a clean economy,” says Tim Gray, executive director.
The organization is politically non-partisan, sticking to the facts through the use of peer-reviewed science and working cooperatively with advocates, governments, businesses and communities—all in a law-abiding manner.
Donate online here.
By phone: 1-877-399-2333 ext. 259
Snail-mail: 33 Cecil St, 1st Floor, Toronto, ON M5T 1N1
Outward Bound
Since 1969, this organization has been empowering youth through hands-on outdoor adventures that celebrate diversity and promote personal growth.
“Outward Bound Canada is committed to creating equitable access to quality outdoor education programs,” says Urvil James Villaruel, training academy marketing specialist at Outward Bound. “Our mission is to change the lives of youth through transformative experiences in nature, so that their inner potential, talents and strengths can shine.”
Donate online here.
By phone: 1-888-688-9273
Snail-mail: 550 Bayview Ave, Unit 10B, Toronto, ON M4W 3X8.
Nature Conservancy of Canada
Since 1962, the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) has protected more than 15 million hectares in Canada for conservation purposes. While many see NCC’s main function as acquiring land, they do much more.
NCC participates in ecosystem restoration projects like restoring agricultural lands into uplands/wetlands and re-introducing native species to the wild. NCC also participates in citizen science programs like its annual bio-blitz, where participants use smartphone apps to record nature species seen during a specified weekend.
Donate online here.
By phone: 1-800-465-8005
Snail-mail: 365 Bloor Street East, Suite 1501, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4W 3L4
World Wildlife Fund Canada
The country’s largest international conservation organization, WWF-Canada works to recover wildlife in decline and reduce carbon emissions by protecting and expanding existing natural spaces.
Actions are based on scientific and Indigenous knowledge, in an effort to preserve biodiversity in Canada using long-term nature-based solutions that allow wildlife and people to thrive.
It does this by fundraising through donations, events like Climbs for Nature, and symbolic adoptions of endangered species. Volunteer programs provide people with the opportunity to lend a hand helping wildlife.
Donate online here.
By phone: 1-800-26-PANDA (1-800-267-2632)
Snail-mail: 410 Adelaide St. West, Suite 400 Toronto, ON M5V 1S8
Spirit North
Working in partnership with schools and communities, Spirit North’s participation-based programs are designed to support Indigenous youth, helping them develop skills that improve their performance in the classroom and deepen their connection to their communities.
“Through the transformative power of sport and play, participants learn important lessons, discover untold potential and build the confidence and courage needed to overcome the hardships Indigenous youth often face,” says Kristy Davison, associate director of marketing and communications.
Activities include mountain-biking, cross-country running, canoeing, cross-country skiing and festivals.
Donate online here.
By phone: 1-403-675-1211
Snail-mail: 202-1205 Bow Valley Trail, Canmore, Alberta T1W 1P5
Freshwater Conservation Canada
Formerly Trout Unlimited, Freshwater Conservation Canada rebranded itself in 2024 to better reflect its goals: to protect and restore Canada’s freshwater environments in streams, rivers and lakes, all facing increased challenges.
“Our mission is unchanged,” says Silvia D’Amelio, CEO of Freshwater Conservation Canada, “we want to address changing landscapes and growing concerns around water quality and quantity, climate resilience and biodiversity.”
Their volunteer activities include fish rescues, tree plantings and public outreach events.
Donate online here.
By phone: 1-403-221-8360 or 1-519-763-0888
Snail-mail: 6020 2nd Street SE, #8B, Calgary, AB T2H-2L8 OR 100 Stone Road West, Suite 304, Guelph, ON N1G-5L3
Birds Canada
Birds Canada works to help bird conservation, and through that, conservation of all natural environments. Birds pollinate plants, help control insects and are often an indicator species warning of larger environmental problems.
The organization does this through several citizen science programs, including Project Feederwatch, lake loon surveys and marsh surveys. They also collaborate internationally with other science-based groups to constantly assess bird populations and their health. They run workshops to encourage and train young and up-and-coming biologists.
Donate online here.
By phone: 1-888-448-2473
Snail-mail: 115 Front Road, PO Box 160, Port Rowan, ON N0E 1M0
Wilderness Committee
Formerly the Western Canada Wilderness Committee, this organization changed its name as a result of expanding its operations from British Columbia and Alberta (where they no longer work) to include Manitoba and Ontario, giving it a national scope.
With volunteer activists, they run campaigns to protect nature, defend wildlife and fight climate change. Working closely with Indigenous groups, they run trail-building projects every summer to repair damage done as a result of wild areas being “loved to death,” restoring and enhancing features to protect from further damage.
Donate online here.
By phone: 1-800-661-9453
Snail-mail: 46 East 6th Avenue, Vancouver, BC V5T 1J4
