From food banks to shelters to environmental initiatives, charities are the backbone of our communities. And behind every one of these programs is a person–a dedicated staff member, a passionate volunteer, a fellow human being making a difference.
Rising demand, shrinking budgets, and constant pressure to “do more with less” are stretching these individuals to their limits, taking a serious toll on their mental health and well-being.
Research from ATB Financial, GreenShield, and Mental Health Research Canada (MHRC) shows that 37% of Canadians say the economic downturn has hurt their mental health, and 16% of Albertans report it’s affecting their productivity.1
In Alberta’s charitable sector, the impact is even more pronounced: 41% report harm to their mental health, and 35% say it is affecting their productivity.1
Burnout and stress are becoming the norm in the charitable sector as rising costs and inflation push it towards a breaking point.
The Growing Strain on Charities and Their People
What’s happening in Alberta reflects a broader, long-standing challenge in the charitable sector. Across the country, 1 in 5 Canadians now turn to charities to meet basic needs, yet the majority can’t keep up with demand.2
CanadaHelps’ 2025 Giving Report shows just how stretched our sector is. Most charities are small, with 77% operating on less than $500,000 annually, 59% with zero full-time staff, and 90% employing 10 or fewer people.3
These numbers reflect thousands of small organizations held together by a few overworked staff members or volunteers, who keep critical programs running without additional support.
In the documentary film, Uncharitable, Dan Pallotta calls this a ‘double standard’ between the private and charitable sectors. In the private sector, investing in people through competitive salaries, benefits, and support is considered essential for growth. No one questions if it’s “worth it,” it’s just smart business.
In the charitable sector, however, those same investments are labelled as “overhead” and seen as costs to be minimized. As a result, charities spend just 8% on administration,3 far below typical benchmarks, leaving very little room to offer fair wages, robust benefit packages, or mental health support.
This directly impacts the people who power our sector, forcing them to choose between serving others and protecting their well-being.
ATB Financial and GreenShield’s Free Mental Health Program
Recognizing the urgent need to address these challenges, ATB Financial partnered with GreenShield, Canada’s only national non-profit health and benefits company, to offer free, tailored mental health support for staff at eligible Alberta-based charities.
This partnership leverages their shared commitment to the well-being of those on the frontlines of social change. It recognizes that supporting a robust non-profit sector also plays a crucial role in Alberta’s overall economic, social, cultural and environmental landscape.
Their program includes:
✓ Virtual therapy sessions
✓ Digital cognitive behavioural therapy
✓ A peer support platform
✓ Webinars
The pilot program is completely free for staff at eligible organizations and runs through September 2026, with outcomes and learnings from the initial rollout informing future work.
Learn more about the mental health program
Investing in People is Investing in Your Mission
The human cost of this “double standard” is hard to ignore. When budgets are too tight to invest in people, organizations risk burnout, declining productivity, and worsening mental health.
ATB Financial and GreenShield’s free mental health program fills that gap and leads the way, proving that investing in people is essential to improving health outcomes for those on the frontlines of change.
Disclaimer: CanadaHelps has not received any financial or other benefit in connection with the promotion of this program. We are sharing this information solely to support and inform our community.
1ATB Financial and GreenShield Partner to Support Mental Health in Alberta’s Social Sector, ATB Financial
2The Giving Report 2024, CanadaHelps
3The Giving Report 2025, CanadaHelps