What John Humphrey Centre For Peace and Human Rights does

The John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights (JHC) is a Canadian non-profit organization headquartered at 4635 199 St NW #111 in Edmonton, Alberta. Named after John Peters Humphrey — the Canadian principal drafter of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights — JHC has operated since 2005 to advance dignity, freedom, justice, and security through collaborative relationships and transformative education. Its programming spans youth rights and in-school human rights practice; anti-oppressive EDI training for K-12 educators; capacity building for civil society organizations engaging with UN mechanisms such as the Universal Periodic Review; Indigenous-led reconciliation work including Honouring Healing for Sixties Scoop survivors in Alberta and British Columbia; the Food Security and Food Justice Ecosystem of Edmonton; criminalization-of-poverty research through Breaking the Cycle; and signature sub-brands such as Paint the Rails (public art with Edmonton Transit Service), Stride Advocacy, YEG Dignity, Justice4Reel Film Festival, and the Annual Human Rights Awards (14th edition hosted by the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta in 2022). JHC led Canada's premier national commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of the UDHR in December 2023 via the Ignite Change Global Human Rights Convention.

JHC operates with no proprietary technology platform. Its technology stack is a public-facing Squarespace CMS website (built by vendor CRFT New Media) with Squarespace CDN-hosted media, Zeffy-based event registration and ticketing, and Zoom for hybrid event delivery; Google Calendar iCal links are exposed for event RSVPs. The organization does not develop or sell algorithms, software, or data products. Program delivery is conducted in-person and hybrid across Alberta (Edmonton, Calgary, St. Paul, Slave Lake, Wetaskiwin, Fairview, Westlock), Saskatchewan (Regina, Prince Albert), Manitoba (Thompson), and British Columbia.

JHC's revenue model is grant- and donation-funded, with the largest disclosed stream being foundation and government grants (McConnell Foundation, Canadian Race Relations Foundation, Alberta Law Foundation, Edmonton Community Foundation, Edmonton Arts Council, Edmonton Heritage Council, Women and Gender Equality Canada, City of Edmonton Community Safety and Well-Being Grant, Government of Canada CSMARI and New Horizons for Seniors programs). Individual and corporate donations (including a Royal Bank of Canada corporate sponsorship for the FSFJE project) are solicited through the website, newsletter, and at events. A secondary professional-services revenue stream comes from fee-based training (e.g., $300 per participant for the 3-day Human Rights Advocacy Intensive Training in Calgary and Prince Albert, with subsidized seats funded by McConnell). A third stream is recurring membership via a Google Form signup. Most community-facing events (Connecting for Change, Civil Society Mobilization, Food Justice YEG Summit, Justice4Reel, AGMs, teach-ins) are free with optional donations, reflecting a mission-driven rather than commercial pricing posture.

Name

John Humphrey Centre For Peace and Human Rights

Legal name

John Humphrey Centre For Peace and Human Rights

Website

https://jhcentre.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights (JHC) is an Edmonton-based Canadian non-profit, founded in 2005 and named after UN UDHR drafter John Peters Humphrey, that delivers transformative human-rights education, anti-oppression training, and convening programs to civil society organizations, K-12 educators, Indigenous communities, and youth across Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and British Columbia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Human Rights Education and Advocacy

NAICS

Human Rights Organizations (813311), Educational Support Services (611710), Professional and Management Development Training (611430)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Transitional Justice, Accountability & Reparations (BPADAGAL)

Keywords

• Human rights education
• Anti-oppression training
• Civil society capacity building
• Community peace building
• Advocacy training

Headquarters

HQ city

Edmonton

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. Foundation and government grants: Primary revenue stream. Funding from foundations (McConnell Foundation, Canadian Race Relations Foundation, Alberta Law Foundation, Edmonton Community Foundation, Edmonton Arts Council, Edmonton Heritage Council) and government programs (Women and Gender Equality Canada, City of Edmonton Community Safety and Well-Being Grant, Government of Canada CSMARI Program, New Horizons for Seniors Program). Supports specific projects like FSFJE, Breaking the Cycle, Civil Society Mobilization, and Capacity Building research.
2. Individual and corporate donations: Donations solicited via website donate button, newsletter, raffles (e.g., YEG Dignity Mural 50/50), and at events (Connecting for Change, Food Justice Summit). Donor management policy established in 2022 to formalize this stream.
3. Paid training and registration fees: Fee-based training intensives (e.g., $300 for Calgary Human Rights Advocacy Intensive Training) with subsidized seats funded by McConnell Foundation. Some events are free with registration; others accept optional donations.
4. Membership fees: Membership program available via 'Become a Member' form, providing base operational support and governance participation rights (e.g., voting at AGM).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

JHC delivers human rights education, training, and community convening programs that strengthen civil society's ability to engage international human rights mechanisms. Offerings include paid Human Rights Advocacy Intensive Training (Stride), free community workshops, the Justice4Reel Film Festival, the Annual Human Rights Awards, public art initiatives like Paint the Rails, and capacity-building programs for Indigenous communities, school divisions, and grassroots organizations across Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and British Columbia.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Paint the Rails: Canada 150 legacy public-art partnership with Edmonton Transit Service that brought diverse community histories into Edmonton LRT stations through murals and learning circles.
• Stride Advocacy
• YEG Dignity
• Justice4Reel
• Human Rights Awards

Products and services

• Human Rights Advocacy Intensive Training (Stride)

Named customers3 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

25 partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and flagship.

• Native Friendship Centre (Slave Lake)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 19 June 2026Community partner co-hosting JHC's National Indigenous Peoples' Day gathering on June 19, 2026 at Schurter Park, Slave Lake.
• University of Alberta (HM Tory Lecture Hall / Poli-Sci Co-Lab Space)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 June 2026Hosted venue and academic partner for 'The Global Impact of Transnational Repression: A Teach-In with Professor John Packer' on June 8, 2026.
• WECAN (Women's Earth and Climate Action Network)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 23 May 2026JHC facilitated WECAN's JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion) Strategy Session on centring human rights in food systems on May 23, 2026.
• Dignity ForumminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Producer of 'Human Rights In Alberta: Fact or Fiction?' documentary screened at Justice4Reel 2026; collaboration on human rights education and Alberta rights history.
• Al Rashid MosqueminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 7 April 2018Host venue for the Paint the Rails Muslim Community Learning Circle on April 7, 2018.
• Edmonton Transit Service (ETS)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Long-standing strategic partner for the Paint the Rails public art project that brings community stories into LRT stations across Edmonton. ETS contributed $30,000 to kick off the YEG Dignity Mural and collaborated on mural installations at Churchill, Corona, Kingsway, Clareview, and University stations. Co-created public art installations with JHC since at least 2017.
• Righting Relations Canada (RRC)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational co-development partner for research on civil society engagement with UN human rights mechanisms. Co-produced 'Building Capacity: Mapping Human Rights Training, Knowledge, and Gaps' and co-leads rights-practice ecosystem strategy.
• Canadian Network for Equity and Racial Justice (CNERJ)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-host of the 'Connecting for Change: An Evening for Equity and Justice' event in Regina alongside the Forum of Ministers on Human Rights.
• Multicultural Council of Saskatchewan (MCOS)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-host of 'Connecting for Change' Regina event in May 2026 alongside the Forum of Ministers on Human Rights.
• Righting Relations ReginacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-host of 'Connecting for Change' Regina event; local chapter of the broader Righting Relations Canada network.
• Alberta Civil Liberties Research CentrecoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCo-delivery partner for Filing Human Rights Complaints workshops (Stride St. Paul) providing advocates with understanding of human rights architecture and complaint mechanisms.
• Metro CinemaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVenue and co-presentation partner for the 'Do The Rights Thing' quarterly film screening series in Edmonton.
• National Film Board of Canada (NFB)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-presentation partner providing films (e.g., 'Life Inside Out') for the 'Do The Rights Thing' screening series.
• Professor John Packer (University of Ottawa)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDistinguished collaborator and featured speaker for the Transnational Repression teach-in; recognized as one of Canada's leading human rights voices with 35+ years of international human rights experience.
• CRFT New MediaminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerWebsite design and development vendor for the JHC Squarespace site (credit shown in site footer: 'Website by CRFT New Media').
• Youth Wellness AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-creation partner for the 2023 YEG Dignity Mural alongside JHC and Edmonton Transit Service, providing youth engagement expertise.
• Carla Rae TaylorcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLead artist for the 2023 YEG Dignity Mural and longstanding collaborator on the Paint the Rails project (Returning Home at Churchill LRT, University LRT). Indigenous artist who mentors diverse emerging artists.
• Kohkom Kisewatisiwin SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-launch partner for the 'Returning Home' Paint the Rails mural and stories from the Kohkom's teaching Calendar in December 2017.
• Patrick Buffalo (and son Mason)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerKnowledge Keeper and facilitator who led the Horse Healing Session at Maskwacis for JHC teachers/staff on March 21, 2026, exploring land-based wisdom and trauma-aware healing.
• Teepee Treats / Kakio Studio (Curtis Cardinal)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndigenous restaurant and community hub collaborating on the 'Breaking the Cycle' community feast scheduled for May 16, 2026 at Boyle Plaza, Edmonton. Curtis Cardinal is a JHC partner and human rights award recipient.
• Elder Joann SaddlebackminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerSaddle Lake Cree First Nation Elder and Knowledge Keeper who mentors and guides JHC's YEG Dignity Mural team and broader Indigenous engagement work.
• Lana Whiskeyjack (Knowledge Keeper)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerKnowledge Keeper collaborating on JHC's YEG Dignity Mural and Indigenous-led programming.
• Shiloh Baptist ChurchminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHost venue and partner for the Black History Month Paint the Rails Community Learning Circle.
• Alex Community Health Centre (The Alex)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFeatured community food access model in JHC's 'More than a Meal' online session (March 12, 2026); program operates Fresh and Fair Community Market & Refillery.
• Rock Soup Greenhouse and Food BankminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFeatured rural Alberta food bank model in JHC's 'More than a Meal' online session; volunteer-run, low-barrier dignified food access space co-founded by Craig Haavaldsen.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Canadian Civil Liberties Association: Canada's national civil liberties and human rights advocacy organization. Directly comparable to JHC in mission (human rights education, policy advocacy, civil society mobilization) and constituency (Canadian public, educators, civil society), but operates at national scale from Toronto.
• BC Civil Liberties Association: Provincial civil liberties and human rights organization based in Vancouver. Comparable to JHC in operating model (education, advocacy, public engagement on rights issues), with similar event/training portfolio but anchored in British Columbia.
• National Association of Friendship Centres: National Indigenous-led network of community organizations. Comparable to JHC in delivering community-driven programs for Indigenous communities, in operating across multiple provinces, and in convening role for Indigenous rights — though NAFC is Indigenous-mandated where JHC is broader.
• First Nations Child & Family Caring Society: Indigenous-led non-profit advancing equity for First Nations children, families, and communities. Comparable to JHC in advocacy, research output, and engagement with UN mechanisms (CRC, UPR), with similar Indigenous rights and youth segments.
• Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives: National progressive policy research institute. Comparable to JHC in producing research and policy commentary on social justice, civil society capacity, and rights-based frameworks, with stronger national footprint.
• Centre for Equality Rights in Accommodation: Canadian non-profit advancing the right to housing and equality rights. Comparable to JHC's Breaking the Cycle and Restoring Dignity programs addressing criminalization of poverty and unhoused communities.
• Alberta Civil Liberties Research Centre: Calgary-based civil liberties research and education centre. Already a JHC co-delivery partner for Filing Human Rights Complaints workshops (Stride St. Paul). Most directly comparable peer in mission, geography (Alberta), and program delivery model.

Broad incumbents

• Amnesty International Canada: Canadian section of the global human rights organization. Overlaps with JHC's human rights education, UPR engagement, and civil society mobilization mandate, but operates at significantly greater scale and global brand recognition.
• Maytree Foundation: Toronto-based foundation focused on poverty reduction, human rights, and civic engagement. Comparable to JHC in funder-side civil society capacity building, with broader national policy influence and grantmaking role.
• Canadian Human Rights Commission: Federal human rights body with a national mandate on human rights promotion and protection. Comparable to JHC in human rights education, complaint mechanisms, and engagement with the UN system, though operates as a federal agency rather than a non-profit.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/jhcentre
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/john-humphrey-centre-for-peace-and-human-rights
• Xx.com/jhcentre

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

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 John Humphrey Centre For Peace and Human Rights