YWCA Toronto

What YWCA Toronto does

YWCA Toronto is a registered Canadian charitable organization (founded 1873, incorporated 1911) and one of Canada's largest multi-service women's organizations, operating across the Greater Toronto Area with 824 housing units, four shelters, two employment centres, Camp Tapawingo in Parry Sound, and 11 service locations. The organization delivers a continuum of programs spanning emergency shelter and violence-against-women services (Women's Shelter, Arise Shelter, Davenport Shelter, Church Street Shelter, 1st Stop Woodlawn), permanent supportive housing (Elm Centre, Bergamot Apartments, Pape Avenue Apartments, Scatterhomes), employment and training (15+ programs including digital skills, trades pre-apprenticeships, Azure cloud developer training, newcomer settlement, and Health Connect), girls' and youth programs, parenting and child care (including Teen Mothers' Program), and clinical support services such as trauma-informed therapy and the December 6 Fund interest-free loan program. The Trauma Informed Development and Education (TIDE) framework, developed with Public Health Agency of Canada funding and the Centre of Excellence for Women's Health, embeds trauma-informed practice across all programming.

Revenue is generated through five streams: government grants (United Way Greater Toronto, City of Toronto, Province of Ontario, Government of Canada) as the primary source; individual donations including monthly giving and the Monarch Society planned giving group; corporate and foundation gifts (notably Barrett Family Foundation's $1.5M five-year pledge); the annual Women of Distinction Awards Gala ($500K–$627K raised annually 2022–2025); and venue rentals at the 87 Elm Street headquarters. Services are provided free of charge to participants.

The organization is governed by a Board of Directors and operated by a senior leadership team including nine Directors (Advocacy & Communications, Employment & Training x2, Permanent Housing, Philanthropy, Property Services/IT, Shelters & Clinical Services, Girls Youth & Family Programs). Following Heather McGregor's retirement after 31+ years as CEO, Deepa Mattoo (former Executive Director of the Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic) was appointed CEO effective April 15, 2026. The organization is part of the broader YWCA Canada and YWCA International movement and is recognized as a Greater Toronto Top Employer 2025.

Name

YWCA Toronto

Legal name

YWCA Toronto

Website

https://ywcatoronto.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1873

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

YWCA Toronto is a 150+ year old registered charity operating one of Canada's largest portfolios of women's housing and shelters (824 units, 4 shelters), delivering free employment, training, youth, and trauma-informed support programs to women, girls, and gender diverse people across the Greater Toronto Area.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Social Services

NAICS

Temporary Shelters (624221), Individual and Family Services (6241), Community Housing Services (62422), Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (624310)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Emergency Shelter, Camp Management & Non-Food Items (NFI) (BPAGAAAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Affordable Housing & Community Development (Housing, Community Land Trusts) (BPAGALAC), Federated Giving Organizations (e.g., United Way-type) (BPAGAKAG)

Keywords

• Women's shelter services
• Affordable housing programs
• Employment skills training
• Settlement services
• Community support programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Toronto

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices11 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: YWCA Toronto receives significant funding from government sources including the United Way Greater Toronto, City of Toronto, Province of Ontario, and Government of Canada. This represents the primary revenue source supporting core operations, shelter and housing programs, employment and training services, and advocacy work.
2. Individual Donations: Individual donors contribute through one-time donations, monthly giving programs, and legacy/planned gifts through the Monarch Society planned giving group.
3. Corporate and Foundation Gifts: Corporate sponsors, foundations, and institutional donors provide grants and contributions. Notable donors include Barrett Family Foundation, Cathy Riggall, and Pamela Graham.
4. Women of Distinction Awards Gala: Annual signature fundraising event that generates revenue through table sales, ticket purchases, sponsorships, and silent auctions. Raised over $500,000 in 2024 and $542,054 in 2025.
5. Venue Rentals: YWCA Toronto rents out its event facilities at 87 Elm Street for conferences, workshops, meetings, and celebrations, generating rental income while contributing to the mission.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

YWCA Toronto is a registered charitable nonprofit providing social services to women, girls, and gender diverse people across Toronto and Parry Sound. Core offerings include emergency shelters (4 sites), permanent affordable housing (824 units), employment and skills training (15+ programs), settlement services for newcomers, youth programs including Camp Tapawingo, and trauma-informed support services. All programming is delivered free of charge to participants and funded through government grants, donations, and fundraising.

Product overview

YWCA Toronto is a nonprofit social service organization (not a technology company) offering a comprehensive portfolio of programs and services for women, girls, and gender diverse people. The organization operates multiple interconnected service lines: Employment and Training programs (including digital skills, trades training, healthcare credential recognition, and settlement services); Shelter and Housing (emergency shelters, violence-against-women shelters, and permanent affordable housing with 824 units); Support Services (trauma-informed therapy, financial assistance through the December 6 Fund, and safety resources); Youth Development (Camp Tapawingo outdoor education and Girls' Programs); Parenting and Child Care services; and organizational initiatives like Trauma Informed Development and Education (TIDE). The portfolio functions as a coordinated continuum of care supporting participants from crisis intervention through economic empowerment and housing stability.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Employment and Training Programs Comprehensive employment services including job placement, career assessment, skills training, and specialized programs for newcomers and skilled trades, serving women and gender diverse people seeking economic security.
• Shelter and Housing Emergency shelters for women fleeing violence and homeless women, plus permanent supportive and affordable housing for women, gender diverse people, and families. Operates 4 shelters and 824 housing units across Toronto.
• Support Services Trauma-informed community support programs including mental health and trauma counseling, arts-based therapy, digital safety resources, and emergency financial assistance through interest-free loans and grants for survivors of violence.
• Camp Tapawingo Three-season camping and outdoor education site on Georgian Bay in Parry Sound offering summer camp, day camp, family camp, and women's weekends programming for girls and gender diverse youth.
• Girls' Programs Educational and recreational programs for girls and gender diverse youth including the YWCA Girls' Centre, Girls' Council, leadership development, mentorship, and Adventures in Sharing program.
• Parenting and Child Care EarlyON child development programs, Teen Mothers' Program, and licensed child care services (Bergamot Centre) supporting teen mothers, parents, and families.
• Women of Distinction Awards Gala Annual signature fundraising gala honoring women championing gender equity. Attracts 600-800 attendees and generates $500,000-$627,000 annually through ticket sales, table sponsorships, and silent auctions.
• Venue Rentals Event venue rental services at 87 Elm Street including auditorium, reception hall, and meeting rooms for conferences, workshops, meetings, and celebrations.
• December 6 Fund Interest-free revolving loan fund (up to $1,500) and grants (Julia M. Ruby Fund, $50-$1,500) for survivors of intimate partner violence to help with emergency expenses when fleeing abuse.
• Health Connect National employment program providing personalized support to newcomer women seeking to have their international healthcare provider credentials recognized in Canada.
• DARE (Digital Awareness - Ready for Employment)

Quantifiable outcome

• 4,000+ participants helped through Employment and Training programs in 2024
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Centre of Excellence for Women's Health (CEWH)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner collaborating with YWCA Toronto on the TIDE project. Jointly developed trauma-informed practice training, resources, and organizational change framework.
• YWCA Metro VancouvercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to launch Health Connect program, a national employment program providing personalized support to newcomer women seeking to have international healthcare credentials recognized in Canada.
• YWCA Ontario CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition member collaborating on provincial advocacy priorities, pre-budget submissions, and joint campaigns including Choose Gender Equity provincial election campaign.
• YWCA CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational affiliation connecting YWCA Toronto to the broader Canadian YWCA movement and international YWCA network reaching 25 million women globally.
• WomanACTcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on joint municipal election campaign VoteEquityTO with more than 35 partner organizations, encouraging civic engagement and urging candidates to address systemic inequities.
• Social Planning Toronto (SPT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on multiple consultations to inform the City of Toronto's Intersectional Gender Equity Strategy. SPT provided report on findings from consultations.
• Parry Sound Friendship CentreminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Camp Tapawingo providing Indigenous cultural programming including teachings from Knowledge Keepers about medicinal plants and Indigenous men's drumming group.
• Native Women's Resource CentreminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWelcomed participants from Native Women's Resource Centre to Camp Tapawingo programming as part of diversity and inclusion initiatives.
• University of TorontominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partnership for Adventures in Sharing program evaluation, with participants providing feedback on the impact of expressive arts-based interventions.
• Coalition for Gun ControlcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYWCA Toronto is a proud member of the Coalition for Gun Control. Attended Senate of Canada for passing of Bill C21 on firearms legislation.
• City of Toronto GBV/IPV Working GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding member of working group advocating with sector partners to ensure survivors' voices drive meaningful action on intimate partner violence. Hosted survivor-led consultation to inform City Motion CC8.2 implementation.

Scale indicators17 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• YWCA Metro Vancouver: YWCA Metro Vancouver operates a comparable multi-service portfolio including housing, employment services, and gender-based violence programs across Metro Vancouver. Most direct functional peer to YWCA Toronto within the Canadian YWCA movement, and current co-development partner on the Health Connect national program.
• YWCA National Capital Region (Ottawa): Operates similar women's shelter, housing, and employment programs in Ottawa under the same YWCA movement brand. Directly comparable scope (emergency shelter + permanent housing + advocacy) but in a different regional market.
• YWCA Hamilton: Hamilton-area YWCA delivering shelter, housing, and employment services to women and gender diverse people under the same national affiliation. Comparable service mix at smaller regional scale.
• Fred Victor: Toronto-based nonprofit providing transitional housing, emergency shelter, and employment services to people experiencing homelessness and poverty. Closest non-YWCA functional peer in the same geography, with overlapping shelter and employment service lines.
• Interval House Toronto: Toronto women's shelter serving survivors of domestic violence with emergency shelter, counseling, and transitional housing. Direct specialist peer in the gender-based violence shelter niche within the same Toronto market.
• Nellie's (Nellie's Women's Hostel): Toronto women's shelter and support organization serving women and children fleeing violence and poverty. Comparable emergency shelter and transition program model in the same Toronto service area.
• WomanACT: Toronto-based gender-based violence organization focused on violence against women prevention and systems change. Direct advocacy peer in the same Toronto geography, currently co-leading the VoteEquityTO campaign with YWCA Toronto.

Broad incumbents

• YWCA Canada: National umbrella organization coordinating the YWCA movement across Canada, including policy advocacy, member services, and national program development. Broader scope than any single local chapter but operating as the parent federation.

Emerging players

• Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic: Toronto clinic providing legal counsel, counseling, and interpreter services to women experiencing violence. Complementary rather than directly overlapping; current employer of incoming YWCA Toronto CEO Deepa Mattoo.
• Native Women's Resource Centre: Toronto Indigenous women's organization providing cultural programming, shelter access, and community supports. Adjacent service model serving overlapping client populations with cultural-specific programming.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC6LJb98cvojR5LiKfTK_5Eg
• Facebookfacebook.com/YWCA.TO
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ywca-toronto
• Instagraminstagram.com/ywcatoronto
• Xx.com/YWCAToronto

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 records

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M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about YWCA Toronto