Open Books.
No Excuses.

We are a new organization asking for your trust. We earn it through published governance documents, open financials, and the discipline to operate exactly as we say we will. This is our transparency commitment.

Registered Canadian Charity

Defy The Odds Foundation is a registered Canadian charitable organization under the Income Tax Act. All eligible donations receive official Canadian tax receipts.

Founded in 2024. Charitable status granted in 2025. Governed by a volunteer Board of Directors and subject to annual CRA filing requirements.

"Transparency is not a checkbox. It is a daily commitment to the people who believe in this mission."
— Andrew Kooger, Founder & President
Legal Name Defy The Odds Foundation
Year Founded 2024
Charitable Status ✓ Registered 2025
Jurisdiction Canada — Federal
Board Structure Volunteer — Unpaid
Tax Receipts ✓ Issued for all eligible gifts

Our Governing Documents

These documents govern how the Defy The Odds Foundation operates, makes decisions, manages funds, and holds itself accountable. We publish them here without restriction.

📋
Foundation Bylaws

The governing rules of the Foundation — including board structure, officer roles, meeting requirements, voting procedures, conflict of interest policy, and amendment processes.

PDF · Updated 2025 · Board-Approved
🎯
Mission & Mandate Statement

The formal statement of purpose under which the Foundation was incorporated — covering scope, beneficiary populations, and geographic mandate.

PDF · 2024 · Incorporated Document
🤝
Conflict of Interest Policy

How board members and staff declare, manage, and recuse themselves from decisions where personal interests may conflict with the Foundation's interests.

PDF · 2025 · Board Policy
🛡️
Child Protection & Safeguarding Policy

Our comprehensive policy for protecting the youth in our care — including screening, supervision, reporting obligations, and code of conduct for all adults.

PDF · 2025 · Mandatory Policy

Where the Money Goes

As a new charity, our first formal annual report will cover our inaugural full year of operations. We are committed to publishing audited financials as our organization grows.

📊
Annual Report — Coming 2026

Our inaugural annual report will cover program delivery, financial statements, donor acknowledgements, and impact metrics for our first full year of operations.

Publishing 2026 · First Full Year of Operations
Coming Soon
🧾
CRA Charity Return (T3010)

Our annual return filed with the Canada Revenue Agency — publicly available through the CRA Charities Listings. Includes revenue, expenditures, and program descriptions.

Filed Annually with CRA · Publicly Available

Every Dollar, Accounted For

100%
Program-Focused Spending Commitment
$0
Cost to Youth Served
0%
Founder or Board Compensation
Annual
CRA Filing & Disclosure

Note: As the Foundation grows, we will publish detailed line-item financial breakdowns. Our commitment from day one is maximum program delivery per dollar received.

Our Governance Principles

01
Board Independence

Our Board of Directors operates independently from the Founder. Major decisions require board quorum and vote. No single individual has unchecked authority over Foundation resources or direction.

02
Arm's Length Transactions

All significant contracts and expenditures are subject to board review. Conflicts of interest are declared immediately and recused from vote. No related-party transactions without board approval.

03
Youth Safeguarding

Every adult working with youth — volunteers, mentors, staff — completes a criminal background check and vulnerable sector screening before any contact with program participants.

04
Annual Disclosure

We file annually with the Canada Revenue Agency. Our T3010 return is publicly accessible. As we grow, we will commission independent financial reviews and publish full audited statements.

FAQ — Governance & Giving

Is my donation tax-deductible?
Yes. Defy The Odds Foundation is a registered Canadian charity. All eligible gifts — whether made through CanadaHelps, PayPal, Square, or directly — will receive an official Canadian charitable tax receipt for income tax purposes.
How much of my donation goes to programs?
Our commitment is 100% program-focused spending. As a lean, founder-led organization, our operating costs are minimal. Full financial disclosure will be published in our annual report. No board member or founder receives compensation.
How is the Foundation governed?
By a volunteer Board of Directors in accordance with our published Bylaws. The Board meets regularly, approves budgets, reviews programs, and holds the organization accountable to its charitable purpose. All governance documents are available for download above.
How does the Foundation protect the youth in its programs?
All adults working with youth — volunteers, mentors, coaches, and staff — complete criminal background checks and vulnerable sector screening before any contact with participants. Our Child Protection & Safeguarding Policy governs all program interactions.
Can I see how my gift is being used?
Yes. Major donors and corporate partners receive detailed impact reports showing exactly what their contribution funded — youth served, programs delivered, and outcomes tracked. Our annual report will be published publicly as well.
What is the Foundation's registration number?
Our charitable registration number is available through the CRA Charities Listings at canada.ca. Tax receipts issued by the Foundation will include the registration number as required by law. If you require it directly, please contact us at info@defytheodds.ca.

We'll Answer Anything.

If you have a governance, financial, or compliance question we haven't answered here — reach out. We believe radical transparency starts with being willing to have the conversation.

Contact Us Email Directly