students in OCSB schools
of these students live in poverty
Did you know 1 in 5 children in Ottawa live in poverty? We’re a registered charity dedicated to supporting the students and families who need it most.

Inspire gratitude with a gift of kindness.
When you donate to the Catholic Education Foundation of Ottawa (CEFO), you help eliminate the devastating effect poverty has on a student and their family. These crucial funds help put food on the table, keep the lights and the heat on in their homes, purchase eyeglasses, and a myriad of other necessities. Join us in making a difference in the lives of students in the Ottawa Catholic School Board.
Become a Kindness Champion.
Help us spread the word of the great need in the Ottawa Catholic School Board community by sharing the opportunity to donate to CEFO on social media. We’ve made it simple, just copy and paste a pre-made blurb on your social media account to invite people to join you in supporting CEFO.

Leave a lasting legacy.
Remembering CEFO in your will can impact children for years to come. You can also request donations from your loved ones (in lieu of flowers) to be directed to CEFO. Your gift will live on forever through the lives you will change.
The children who benefit from CEFO are often in need of the most basic things that many take for granted. A donation in any amount can put food on a table, clothe a child in the winter, or help a family get out of a dangerous situation.
We recognize the need and aim to meet the challenge
Children struggling with poverty at home have a difficult time succeeding in school. They are also at a greater risk for long-term health problems. Children living below the poverty line are more likely to live in problem neighbourhoods. They are more likely to suffer from medical conditions and ailments. Many are not getting the nutrition they need to face each day of learning.
Over 15,000 children in Ottawa visit a food bank at least once a month. Our Foundation strives to offer help to the children in our schools who need it most. By helping provide the basic necessities of life – like food, shelter, and clothing – we can give them a better chance for success. We can help change their future for the better. We can help provide them with what they need to get through the day.
Our mission
The Catholic Education Foundation of Ottawa (CEFO) is a registered charity whose objective is to counter the effects of poverty on Ottawa Catholic School Board (OCSB) students. We are an independent charitable arm of the OCSB.
All of our proceeds are directed to educational programs, recreational activities, and emergency response funds for impoverished children and their families.