Momentum Community Economic Development Society

What Momentum Community Economic Development Society does

Momentum Community Economic Development Society is a Calgary-based, registered charitable organization (charity number 88379 3218 RR0001) that has operated continuously since 1991, originally as the Mennonite Central Committee's employment program, before becoming independent in 2002 and rebranding to Momentum in 2006. It delivers direct-service programming to Calgarians living with financial barriers across four program departments — Start a Business (self-employment, business feasibility, microloans), Manage Your Money (financial literacy, coaching, tax filing, benefits navigation, matched savings), Train For a Good Job (skilled trades pre-apprenticeships in welding, automotive, carpentry, plumbing, roofing, glazing, plus an IT Support Specialist Certificate with cloud computing certifications), and Professional Development (empowerment coaching training, living wage employer support, webinars).

The business model is a hybrid nonprofit funding stack: registered-charity donations from individuals, foundations, and corporate sponsors are the primary inflow, supplemented by government and foundation grants (TD Bank, Viewpoint Foundation, Calgary Foundation, MAWER, multiple family foundations), employer partnerships, and nominal program fees. Programs are predominantly free or low-cost to participants, delivered in-person at a fully accessible Calgary headquarters, online, and at offsite partner locations throughout the city. The organization's underlying "technology" is human capital delivery — curriculum, coaching, and facilitator training — rather than a software platform; commercial IP takes the form of licensable curricula (Financial Coaching Training, Empowerment Coach Training, RESP Facilitator Training) and outcome-measurement frameworks such as the Sustainable Livelihoods Long-Term Evaluation. Reported outcomes include 69% of participants increasing income (89% of those averaging $27,250 in gains), 84% improving money management skills, 90% reporting increased hope, and 68% moving toward a sustainable livelihood within two years; cumulative impact includes $9M deployed across 3,200+ microloans and $5.5M in matched savings across 3,000+ participants.

Name

Momentum Community Economic Development Society

Legal name

Momentum

Website

https://momentum.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Momentum Community Economic Development Society is a Calgary-based registered charity, founded in 1991, that delivers free or low-cost programs in entrepreneurship, financial literacy, skilled trades, and technology training to Calgarians living with financial barriers, supported by donations, foundation grants, and employer partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Economic Development Services

NAICS

Civic and Social Organizations (8134)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Entrepreneurship & Small Business Workforce Programs (EDAAAOAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Entrepreneurship Foundations & Startup Basics (EDAMAHAA), Financial Literacy, Budgeting & Personal Finance (EDAMAHAE), Small Business & Entrepreneurship Community Education (EDAAAFAK)

Keywords

• Community economic development
• Financial literacy training
• Skilled trades training
• Entrepreneurship support programs
• Matched savings programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Calgary

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Momentum operates as a registered charity (88379 3218 RR0001) and relies on donor contributions from individuals, foundations, and corporate sponsors. The organization reported spending $0.14 on fundraising costs for every $1 raised in 2025, indicating efficient fundraising operations.
2. Program Services Revenue: While most programs are free or low-cost to participants, some services may generate nominal fees. The organization provides microloans and matched savings programs that may generate interest income or program fees.
3. Government and Foundation Grants: Momentum receives funding from government agencies and private foundations to support program delivery. Partners mentioned include Viewpoint Foundation, TD Bank, Calgary Foundation, and various family foundations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Momentum Community Economic Development Society is a Calgary-based registered charity that delivers free and low-cost programs to Calgarians living with financial barriers. Its offerings span four program categories: Start a Business (self-employment, entrepreneurship, microloans, business feasibility studies), Manage Your Money (financial literacy, coaching, matched savings, tax filing, benefits navigation), Train For a Good Job (skilled trades training in welding, automotive, carpentry, plumbing, roofing, glazing, plus IT/cloud computing certification), and Professional Development (training for coaches, employers, and community organizations).

Product overview

Momentum is a community economic development organization offering a portfolio of programs organized into four main categories: Start a Business (self-employment and entrepreneurship programs), Manage Your Money (financial literacy and coaching), Train For a Good Job (trades and technology training), and Professional Development. The organization provides both full-time and part-time program options, with most programs being low-or-no cost and designed for Calgarians facing financial barriers. Programs include vocational training in trades (welding, automotive, carpentry, plumbing, roofing, glazing), technology certification (IT Support Specialist), financial education (financial literacy, coaching, tax filing, benefits navigation), matched savings programs, microloans, and living wage employer support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Start a Business

Quantifiable outcome

• 69% of participants increased their income after taking a Momentum program
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• WBM TechnologiescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024WBM Technologies has been an employer partner for Momentum's technology training programs for more than six years, providing valuable work experience placements. In 2024, WBM also became Momentum's technology services provider, powering technology infrastructure from classrooms to day-to-day operations. WBM has hired numerous Momentum graduates, with approximately ten graduates now working at the company, creating a strong peer support network.
• Aspire CalgarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAspire Calgary partners offer tax filing and benefits access supports throughout the year, either through tax clinics or one-on-one supports. This partnership helps Momentum participants access vital tax services and government benefits.
• Enough For AllcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnough For All is Calgary's poverty reduction strategy, and Momentum is a key contributor to this initiative. The partnership addresses systemic poverty through coordinated community action.
• GatewayminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGateway provides newcomer services and partners with Momentum to serve new Canadians who may benefit from employment training and financial empowerment programs.
• 211 AlbertaminorOthers211 Alberta connects people to programs and services in their community. Momentum is connected to this referral network to help direct people to appropriate services.
• Fresh Start RecoveryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFresh Start Recovery partnered with On a Dime Transformations (a Momentum Self Employment graduate) to run a demonstration project version of the recovery program, developing curriculum with people on their own recovery journey.
• Social Venture Institute AlbertaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSVI Alberta is a gathering hosted by Momentum where social entrepreneurs come together to learn, reflect, and support one another. This program supports social impact businesses launched through Momentum programs.
• Be Local Business NetworkminorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Be Local Network showcases businesses owned and operated by Momentum program graduates, providing a platform for these entrepreneurs to reach customers and grow their businesses.
• Community Work Experience PartnerscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMomentum works with businesses in the community to provide Trades Training program participants with on-the-job experience they need to enhance skills and build careers. These partnerships enable practical training components essential to program completion.
• Included by DesignminorOthersAccessibility consulting firm that Momentum consulted with during the design of their building to ensure physical accessibility for all participants.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• SEED Winnipeg: Community economic development organization in Winnipeg offering matched savings, microloans, financial literacy, and self-employment training to low-income individuals — nearly identical integrated model to Momentum but in a different Prairie city.
• The Alex Community Health and Wellness Centre: Calgary-based nonprofit serving Calgarians facing financial barriers with health, social, and economic programs; shares Momentum's target population, Calgary geography, and integrated poverty-reduction approach.
• Bissell Centre: Edmonton-based community organization supporting people living with poverty through employment training, housing, and community programs — same integrated anti-poverty model and Prairie Canadian geography.
• ACCES Employment: Toronto-based nonprofit providing employment services, bridging programs, and mentorship for newcomers and immigrants — directly comparable to Momentum's newcomer workforce training segment.
• YWCA Calgary: Calgary nonprofit offering economic empowerment, housing, and skills programs for women and families, overlapping significantly with Momentum's financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and trades training.
• Calmeadow: Canadian social-purpose organization focused on community economic development through microfinance and social enterprise support — directly comparable to Momentum's microloan and matched-savings programming.
• Centre for Newcomers: Calgary-based settlement agency providing employment, language, and integration services to newcomers — comparable to Momentum's New Canadians segment and trades/IT training pathways.
• Credit Canada: National Canadian nonprofit delivering credit counselling, debt management, and financial literacy — directly comparable to Momentum's Manage Your Money programming.
• Make A Change Canada: Canadian charity delivering financial empowerment, money management, and savings programs for low-income individuals — closely comparable to Momentum's financial literacy and matched savings offerings.

Broad incumbents

• Goodwill Industries of Alberta: Large established Alberta nonprofit operating workforce development, training, and social enterprise programs — broader portfolio but overlapping workforce and skills training mission with Momentum.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/momentumcalgary
• YouTubeyoutube.com/momentumcalgary
• Facebookfacebook.com/MomentumCalgary
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/momentumcalgary
• Instagraminstagram.com/momentumcalgary

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Momentum Community Economic Development Society