The Brenda Strafford Foundation

What The Brenda Strafford Foundation does

The Brenda Strafford Foundation (legal name: The Brenda Strafford Foundation Ltd.) is a Calgary-based, Alberta-incorporated charitable non-profit founded in 1975, operating across four service lines: Aging Care and Senior Living, Community Supports, International Healthcare, and Innovation and Research. Its core operating assets are six wholly-owned continuing care facilities in Alberta (Wentworth Manor, Bow View Manor, Cambridge Manor, Tudor Manor in Okotoks, and Clifton House) plus the Heart Home Network domestic violence shelter, and international operations in Jamaica (eye care), Haiti (Institut Brenda Strafford, including healthcare training and solar power initiatives), and Eastern Caribbean states via the OECS Commission Regional Eye Health Strategic Plan. The foundation reports 1,001–5,000 employees and serves seniors requiring long-term, memory, and supportive living care, women and children fleeing domestic violence, and underserved international healthcare populations.

The technology footprint is anchored by SAP (GROW with SAP) for enterprise operations and complemented by a portfolio of care technology: eMAR for medication safety, Zinnia TV for memory care, Memory Lane Games, the MOVE Improve App, the CRDL care instrument, and SilverMOVE. The Dr. Barrie Strafford Centre for Learning, Innovation & Quality (CLIQ), launched in 2023, functions as the internal innovation hub and partnership vehicle, running hackathons, symposia, and collaborations with the University of Calgary, Bow Valley College, Red Deer Polytechnic, Vilans (Netherlands), CABHI, and CanSPARK LTC. Recent additions include the NurseGPT AI project and a Garden Loft smart-home / passive monitoring partnership for aging in community. Sub-brands Livwell (wellness), BSF Lifestyles, Heart Home Network, SPARQ, and V.I.K. Academy extend the consumer-facing surface.

Revenue is generated through four streams: government healthcare contracts (Alberta Health Services for continuing care, the primary stream), charitable donations (individuals, corporations, foundations), monthly quote-based service fees from residents, and professional-services revenue from international healthcare programs. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; resident fees vary by care level and accommodation, with government subsidies available for eligible residents. The organization holds Accreditation with Exemplary Standing from Accreditation Canada (2018, 2022) and operates as a registered Canadian charity (Charitable Registration# 105198873RR0001) under a Board of Directors, led by a President and CEO.

Name

The Brenda Strafford Foundation

Legal name

The Brenda Strafford Foundation Ltd.

Website

https://thebsf.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1975

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

The Brenda Strafford Foundation is a Calgary-based charitable non-profit founded in 1975 operating six continuing care facilities, a domestic violence shelter, and international eye-care and healthcare-training programs in the Caribbean and Haiti. It serves seniors, women and children fleeing violence, and underserved populations, funded primarily by Alberta Health Services contracts, donations, and resident fees.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Senior Living & Continuing Care Services

NAICS

Continuing Care Retirement Communities (623311), Assisted Living Facilities for the Elderly (623312), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120)

SIC

Services-Skilled Nursing Care Facilities (8051), Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRC) with Memory Care (HLADACAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Continuing Care at Home (CCaH) / Virtual CCRC Programs (HLADAEAH), Companion Care & Social Support (non-clinical) (HLADAGAB), Elder Services & Aging Support (BPAGAEAF)

Keywords

• Senior living services
• Continuing care facilities
• Long-term care
• Community health programs
• Charitable healthcare

Headquarters

HQ city

Calgary

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government Healthcare Contracts: Funded through Alberta Health Services and government healthcare contracts for continuing care, long-term care, and community support services. This constitutes the primary revenue stream for senior living operations.
2. Charitable Donations: Receives donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations to support programs, facilities, and special initiatives including the Kids' Education Fund, Employee Education Fund, Wish programs, and flood relief efforts.
3. Service Fees: Residential fees for senior living accommodations and community support services, including adult day programs and shelter services.
4. International Healthcare Services: Revenue from international healthcare programs including eye care services in Jamaica, healthcare training in Haiti and the Caribbean.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The Brenda Strafford Foundation is a non-profit charitable organization that operates multiple continuing care and senior living residences across Alberta, including long-term care, memory care, and supportive living services. It also runs community support programs such as a domestic violence shelter (Heart Home Network), international healthcare initiatives in Jamaica and Haiti, and an innovation and research division (CLIQ) that develops technology-enabled care solutions for the aging population.

Product overview

The Brenda Strafford Foundation operates as a healthcare and senior living organization offering a portfolio of integrated services organized into four main divisions: Aging Care & Senior Living (residential care homes including Bow View Manor, Cambridge Manor, Clifton Manor, Tudor Manor, and Wentworth Manor), Community Supports (including Heart Home Network domestic violence shelter), International Healthcare (eye health and training programs internationally), and Innovation & Research (led by CLIQ). The foundation also provides technology-enabled care solutions including Zinnia TV for memory care, the MOVE Improve App, eMAR medication management systems, and programs like Cycling Without Age, SPARQ process improvement initiatives, and Livwell wellness programs. The organization celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2025.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Livwell: Wellness and care program by The Brenda Strafford Foundation introduced October 2024
• BSF Lifestyles
• Heart Home Network
• CLIQ
• SPARQ
• V.I.K. Academy

Products and services

• Aging Care and Senior Living Residential care services for seniors including long-term care, supportive living, memory care neighborhoods, and dementia care, delivered across multiple care homes in Alberta.
• Heart Home Network (Community Supports) Domestic violence shelter providing safe housing, support services, counseling, children's services, and community kitchen for women and children escaping violence in Calgary.
• International Healthcare Programs Eye care surgeries, healthcare training, and health system development programs delivered through partnerships in Jamaica, Haiti, Caribbean nations, and Dominica.
• Dr. Barrie Strafford Centre for Learning, Innovation & Quality (CLIQ) Internal innovation center driving innovation in aging care through research, hackathons, symposia, and collaboration with academic and industry partners to develop solutions for continuing care.
• Livwell Wellness and care program focused on optimizing health and well-being for seniors and community members.
• BSF Lifestyles Lifestyle-focused sub-brand offering services and programs for seniors under The Brenda Strafford Foundation umbrella.
• Cycling Without Age Intergenerational program that enables seniors to cycle outdoors with trained volunteers, promoting mobility and social connection.
• V.I.K. Academy Virtual, Intergenerational, and Kinesthetic learning academy at Tudor Manor offering educational programs.
• Zinnia TV Specialized television programming designed for memory care residents, enhancing their viewing experience with content tailored for dementia and cognitive support.
• Memory Lane Games Interactive games designed for seniors, particularly those with dementia, to stimulate cognitive function and provide meaningful engagement.
• MOVE Improve App Mobile application focused on optimizing well-being through innovation, part of BSF's technology initiatives for residents and care recipients.
• eMAR (Electronic Medication Administration Records) Electronic system for medication safety and administration tracking in long-term care settings, improving efficiency and reducing errors.
• SPARQ Program Social impact and quality improvement program within BSF communities driving positive change and process improvements through staff-led initiatives.
• Driving Innovation in Continuing Care: A Guide for Innovators A comprehensive guide designed to support innovators in collaborating with continuing care teams, offering considerations and actionable advice to navigate innovating in continuing care effectively.

Quantifiable outcome

• Accreditation with Exemplary Standing achieved in both 2018 and 2022
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature9 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.

• CanSPARK LTCmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 May 2025Collaboration to strengthen long-term care data and innovation across Canada through CLIQ partnership.
• Red Deer PolytechniccoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 March 2025CLIQ & Red Deer Polytechnic launched Dining Project at Wentworth Manor to enhance resident dining experience. MOU signed in August 2025.
• Bow Valley CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 December 2024Partnership to drive innovation and collaboration in continuing care education and training programs.
• VilansmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 September 2024International partnership launched to share knowledge and best practices in continuing care between BSF and Vilans (Dutch knowledge center for long-term care).
• Garden LoftcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 September 2024Innovative partnership for small home living concepts supporting aging in community with integrated technology.
• Canadian Alliance for Intergenerational LivingcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 September 2024Partnership to launch intergenerational living opportunities, including student housing program at Wentworth Manor.
• University of CalgarycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2023Strategic collaboration through the Brenda Strafford Centre on Aging and Community Engaged Learning Program at Wentworth Manor. Also includes hackathon partnerships and Dr. Barrie Strafford Centre for Learning, Innovation & Quality (CLIQ) initiatives.
• Centre for Aging + Brain Health Innovation (CABHI)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCABHI Discover + Adopt Program supporting implementation of SilverMOVE mobility innovation and mental health support technologies in continuing care.
• Imagine CanadaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership wrapped up with release of new knowledge products for the sector.
• OECS CommissionmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLaunched Regional Eye Health Strategic Plan Project with Organization of Eastern Caribbean States to improve eye care across the region.
• Alberta InnovatesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresenting sponsor of Innovation in Aging Symposium 2025, supporting innovation in aging care in Alberta.
• Unison for Generations 50+minorGTM or Marketing PartnerRec@Home partnership launched to provide programs and services for generations 50+ community.
• Rogers Birdies for Kids presented by AltaLinkminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCharitable partnership to amplify impact through donation matching programs for BSF programs.
• JF Rey Eyewear CanadaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupport for Institut Brenda Strafford in Haiti through eyewear donations for eye care programs.
• SAPcoreTechnology or IntegrationGROW with SAP selected to power BSF operations, supporting the organization's mission to improve lives through integrated enterprise systems.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Extendicare: Canadian provider of long-term care, retirement living, and home health services, with extensive Alberta exposure — directly comparable to BSF's continuing care core.
• Revera Inc. One of Canada's largest private-sector senior living and continuing care operators, running retirement residences, long-term care homes, and memory care services across multiple provinces — directly comparable to BSF's core aging care operations.
• AgeCare: Alberta-headquartered operator of continuing care, assisted living, and independent living communities with strong provincial concentration — a close regional parallel to BSF.
• Sherbrooke Community Centre: Non-profit, person-centered continuing care and long-term care provider in Saskatchewan — comparable as a mission-driven non-profit operator with similar resident-focused philosophy.
• Sienna Senior Living: Canadian operator of seniors' residences and long-term care communities, including memory care — directly comparable in service mix, geographic concentration in Canada, and care model.
• Carewest (Alberta Health Services): Public-sector continuing care operator in Calgary/area providing long-term care, dementia care, and rehabilitation — a directly comparable operator working within the same Alberta Health Services contracting framework.
• Chartwell Retirement Residences: Major Canadian owner/operator of retirement residences and long-term care homes with comparable scale (multiple sites, thousands of residents) and similar service lines including assisted living and memory care.

Emerging players

• VHA Home HealthCare: Canadian non-profit home and community care provider offering in-home support and personal care to seniors — relevant as a peer in the community-based/aging-services space, especially given BSF's HealthTech Home Project.

Regional players

• Amica Senior Lifestyles: Canadian owner/operator of premium retirement residences with assisted living and memory care programs — comparable in service scope though more focused on independent/assisted living rather than long-term skilled care.

Others

• Alberta Continuing Care Association (ACCA): Industry body representing Alberta continuing care operators and the awarding body that has repeatedly recognized BSF — relevant as the ecosystem and standards-setter rather than a competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/BrendaStraffordFoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-brenda-strafford-foundation

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 records

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 The Brenda Strafford Foundation