The Lighthouse
The Lighthouse is a registered Canadian charity operating emergency shelter (50 adult + 8 youth beds), 20 supportive housing units, a seasonal warming centre, community meals, outreach, and onsite medical and mental health services for individuals experiencing homelessness in Orillia and Simcoe County, funded through a $4.3M CAD operating budget sourced from government grants, donations, and fundraising events.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1994
- HeadquartersOrillia, Canada
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What The Lighthouse does
The Lighthouse is a registered Canadian charitable organization (operating under Orillia Christian Centre, CRA Charitable Status 892281577 RR 0001) that delivers a comprehensive continuum of homelessness services in Orillia, Ontario. Founded in 1982 and transformed under a decade of leadership that concluded in 2025, the organization operates from two purpose-built facilities — a primary shelter, supportive housing, medical clinic, and administration site at 75 Queen Street East and a seasonal Orillia Warming Centre at 360 West St S — supported by mobile adult and youth outreach teams. Its service portfolio spans emergency shelter (50 adult beds plus 8 youth beds opened in 2023), 20 supportive housing units for chronic homelessness, a daily community meals program, an onsite medical clinic, embedded mental health services delivered in partnership with CFS Counselling & Wellbeing, and a youth outreach program using a dedicated vehicle.
The organization runs 12 distinct programs funded through a hybrid revenue model combining County of Simcoe operating support, Ontario Trillium Foundation and federal ESDC grants, United Way Simcoe Muskoka allocations, individual donations (one-time and Lighthouse Keeper monthly recurring), corporate sponsorships, legacy and planned giving, and signature annual events including the Fall Classic Golf Tournament and Coldest Night of the Year. Approximately 30% of the $4.3 million CAD operating budget is raised through fundraising. Operations are staffed by ~86 employees and 150+ weekly volunteers providing 24/7/365 coverage. The Lighthouse operates with no proprietary technology platform, no AI/ML capabilities, and no commercial product — its differentiation rests on the integration of shelter, housing, clinical care, mental health, and outreach under one local ecosystem with deep municipal, Indigenous (BRAWC), faith-based, and corporate partner relationships.
In 2025 the organization reported serving 379 individuals through emergency shelter, 313 through the warming centre, and logging 8,202 outreach interactions. A leadership transition in late 2025 saw Linda Goodall (the Executive Director credited with growing operations from a $150,000 budget and 6 staff to the current scale) succeeded by Dale Rowe, with a transition committee in place to manage continuity. The geographic footprint is restricted to Orillia and Simcoe County.
The Lighthouse firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Lighthouse
- Legal name
- Orillia Christian Centre
- Website
- https://orillialighthouse.ca
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1994
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- The Lighthouse is a registered Canadian charity operating emergency shelter (50 adult + 8 youth beds), 20 supportive housing units, a seasonal warming centre, community meals, outreach, and onsite medical and mental health services for individuals experiencing homelessness in Orillia and Simcoe County, funded through a $4.3M CAD operating budget sourced from government grants, donations, and fundraising events.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Lighthouse industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Homeless Shelter and Community Social Services
- NAICS
- Temporary Shelters (624221), Community Housing Services (62422)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services (BPAIANAC)
Keywords
Where The Lighthouse is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Orillia
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
The Lighthouse business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Charitable Contributions: Individual donations through the 'Give Now' portal, monthly 'Lighthouse Keeper' recurring donors, and one-time gifts. Donation tiers include: $25 Personal Hygiene Kit, $100 Safe Place to Sleep (per night), $100 New Home Start-up Kit, $20 Healthy Meal, $6/day Community Outreach Meals, $50 Support Staff Appreciation.
- Government Funding: County funding covers part of the budget; The Lighthouse fundraises approximately 30% of its annual operating budget to sustain its work. Operating budget has grown to $4.3 million.
- Special Events Fundraising: Revenue from annual events including the Fall Classic Golf Tournament ($250/person or $1,000/foursome), Coldest Night of the Year walk, and volunteer-organized themed dinners.
- Legacy and Planned Giving: Endowment fund at Community Foundation of Orillia and Area, planned giving programs, gift of securities (capital gains tax exemption), and tribute gifts such as the James A. Burton Family Foundation legacy gift.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | One-time | $25 Personal Hygiene Kit - provides toothbrush, toothpaste, soaps, shampoo and hot shower for someone experiencing homelessness |
| One time/ perpetual license | One-time | $100 Safe Place to Sleep - provides one night of emergency shelter including three meals |
| One time/ perpetual license | One-time | $100 New Home Start-up Kit - provides dishes, bedding, towels for those moving into housing |
| Unit Pricing | One-time | $20 Healthy Meal - three meals daily plus two snacks meeting Canada Food Guide standards |
| Unit Pricing | One-time | $6/day Community Outreach Meals - $24/week, $96/month for bagged lunch program |
| One time/ perpetual license | One-time | $100 Emergency Youth Shelter - bed, case management and healthy meals for youth ages 16-20 |
| One time/ perpetual license | One-time | $50 Support Staff Appreciation - helps equip, encourage and inspire the team |
| Subscription | Monthly | Lighthouse Keeper Monthly Giving Program - recurring monthly donations |
| One time/ perpetual license | One-time | Fall Classic Golf Tournament - $250/person or $1,000/foursome |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
The Lighthouse product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Lighthouse operates a multi-facility emergency shelter and supportive housing system for individuals and youth (ages 16+) experiencing homelessness in Orillia, Ontario. It provides 50 emergency beds for adults, 8 emergency beds for youth, 20 supportive housing units, a 20-bed seasonal warming centre, daily community meals, onsite medical and mental health services, and adult and youth outreach teams. All client services are provided free of charge and funded through donations, government support, and grants.
Product overview
The Lighthouse operates as a multi-facility homeless shelter and community services organization offering 12 distinct programs. The core portfolio includes emergency shelter for adults (50 beds) and youth (8 beds), 20 supportive housing units, and 20-bed warming centre capacity. Supporting services include daily community meals (1,200+ meals served in 2025), adult outreach (7 days/week), youth outreach (5 days/week via dedicated vehicle), onsite medical clinic, mental health services (partnered with CFS Counselling & Wellbeing), and community meal programs. Fundraising initiatives include the annual Fall Classic Golf Tournament and Coldest Night of the Year walk. Additional programs include Legacy Giving for estate planning and the Kits for a Cause corporate volunteering program. The organization fundraises approximately 30% of its $4.3 million annual operating budget to sustain operations.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Kits for a Cause Program: Corporate/group volunteering program where groups assemble care kits for individuals in need
- Keeping Hope Campaign
- Building Hope Campaign
Products and services
- Emergency Shelter (Adult) Provides emergency overnight shelter for men and women experiencing homelessness, including three meals daily and 24/7 trained staff support at the Queen Street East facility.
- Emergency Shelter (Youth) Emergency shelter for youth ages 16-20 experiencing homelessness, with a separate secure wing, qualified youth staff, case management, and healthy meals.
- Supportive Housing Transitional supportive housing for up to four years for individuals experiencing chronic homelessness, providing stable accommodation and wraparound case management to move residents toward permanent housing.
- Community Meals Program Daily meals meeting Canada Food Guide standards plus two snacks for shelter residents, and a community outreach bagged lunch program four days per week.
- Adult Outreach Services Mobile outreach team operating 7 days/week throughout Orillia, providing basic necessities, harm reduction supplies, hygiene products, and connections to housing and support resources for people experiencing homelessness.
- Youth Outreach Program Mobile outreach using a dedicated vehicle to reach at-risk youth ages 16-24 throughout Orillia, providing hygiene products, snacks, and connections to housing, counseling, and educational support.
- Orillia Warming Centre Seasonal 24/7 warming facility offering a 20-bed overnight program and daytime access for up to 30 individuals, including breakfast and dinner for registered guests, lunch for up to 30 individuals, and pet-friendly accommodation.
- Mental Health Services Onsite mental health services provided through a partnership with CFS Counselling & Wellbeing and a dedicated Mental Health Services Director, focused on organizational wellness, social work consultation, community partnerships, and participant engagement.
- Medical Clinic Onsite medical clinic providing customized primary healthcare that diverts clients from hospital visits and connects them to appropriate ongoing care.
- Lighthouse Kits for a Cause Program Corporate and group volunteering program where groups assemble care kits for individuals in need, accommodating groups of 3 to 10,000 participants.
- Legacy Giving Planned giving program including gift of securities (capital gains tax exemption), an endowment fund at the Community Foundation of Orillia and Area, and legacy gift options for estate planning.
- Fall Classic Golf Tournament Annual fundraising golf tournament in its 15th year, held at Hawk Ridge/Bonaire Golf Course with brunch, tournament play, roast beef dinner, and auction.
- Coldest Night of the Year Annual winter fundraising walk raising awareness and funds to support individuals experiencing homelessness, drawing more than 550 participants in Orillia in 2025.
Quantifiable outcome
- 379 individuals served through emergency shelter in 2025
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use The Lighthouse
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
The Lighthouse technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
The Lighthouse partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- United Way Simcoe MuskokacoreMajor community partner providing funding and support for homelessness services in Simcoe County.
- CFS Counselling & WellbeingcoreMental health partnership bringing an onsite mental health worker to The Lighthouse since 2024.
- The Bargains GroupminorWholesale partner for in-kind bulk donations. Provides approximately one-third retail cost supplies plus free donations through Full Circle Donation Program.
- Biminaawzogin Regional Aboriginal Women's Circle (BRAWC)coreIndigenous outreach partnership. BRAWC's Indigenous outreach workers partner with Lighthouse outreach at downtown Parking Lot 1 on Wednesdays, focusing on Indigenous individuals who are homeless or at risk.
- Downtown Orillia Business Improvement Area (BIA)coreJoint initiative to educate downtown business owners about homelessness and The Lighthouse services. Hosting joint information sessions and BIA newsletter series on homelessness.
- City of OrilliacoreWorks closely with City of Orillia Bylaw and OPP to create overall support of wellness for people experiencing homelessness. Partnership in creating Orillia's first warming centre.
- Orillia Christian CentrecoreParent organization. The Lighthouse is a program of Orillia Christian Centre. Charitable Status Number: 892281577 RR0001.
Scale indicators12 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
The Lighthouse competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The Lighthouse social profiles
Digital presenceThe Lighthouse compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
The Lighthouse financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Lighthouse leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
The Lighthouse funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Lighthouse M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Lighthouse
What does The Lighthouse do?
The Lighthouse operates a multi-facility emergency shelter and supportive housing system for individuals and youth (ages 16+) experiencing homelessness in Orillia, Ontario. It provides 50 emergency beds for adults, 8 emergency beds for youth, 20 supportive housing units, a 20-bed seasonal warming centre, daily community meals, onsite medical and mental health services, and adult and youth outreach teams. All client services are provided free of charge and funded through donations, government support, and grants.
Is The Lighthouse a public or private company?
The Lighthouse is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Lighthouse founded?
The Lighthouse was founded in 1994. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is The Lighthouse based?
The Lighthouse is headquartered in Orillia, Canada, in the North America region.
How does The Lighthouse make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Donations and Charitable Contributions are the primary driver. The others are government Funding, special Events Fundraising and legacy and Planned Giving.
Does The Lighthouse have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Lighthouse.
What industry is The Lighthouse in?
The Lighthouse's product category is Homeless Shelter and Community Social Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAEAB, Housing Assistance & Homeless Services, with a secondary code of BPAIANAC, Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services. Its NAICS code is 624221 and its SIC code is 8300.