Institute for Canadian Citizenship

What Institute for Canadian Citizenship does

The Institute for Canadian Citizenship (ICC) is a Canadian registered charity (Charity Number: 82303 4145 RR0001), founded in 2006 and headquartered in Toronto, that operates programs to help immigrants settle in Canada, become citizens, and remain in the country. Its primary operational asset is the Canoo mobile application, available on iOS and Google Play, which provides newcomers with unlimited free access to over 2,000 cultural, nature, and sport venues across Canada. The organization pairs this consumer-facing product with a Research and Ideas division that publishes reports (including The Leaky Bucket 2025 with the Conference Board of Canada), operates an interactive Citizenship and Immigration Dashboard, and runs the annual Canoo Awards program recognizing welcoming institutions.

ICC's business model is donation-funded rather than revenue-generating. The Canoo app is offered at no cost to eligible newcomers; the organization raises funds through charitable contributions, corporate partnerships (e.g., multi-year exclusive arrangements such as the Little Canada renewal), and earned media reach via policy research. Distribution is community-led, with awareness driven by partnerships with cultural institutions, sports organizations (Canadian Ski Council, York United FC, Halifax Tides FC), municipal partners, and thought-leadership press coverage. The 11-50 employee organization sits at the intersection of service delivery and policy advocacy, using research output to influence federal immigration and credential-recognition debates, including a proposed Fair Licensing Act. ICC's strategic value to a PE/VC/M&A audience is best assessed as mission-driven nonprofit with a defensible national venue network rather than a commercial SaaS-style asset.

Name

Institute for Canadian Citizenship

Legal name

Institute for Canadian Citizenship

Website

https://inclusion.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Institute for Canadian Citizenship is a Toronto-based registered charity operating the Canoo mobile app, which gives newcomers free access to over 2,000 Canadian cultural, nature, and sport venues, complemented by immigration retention research and policy advocacy funded through charitable donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Newcomer Integration Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Citizenship Test Preparation (Civics & Interview) (EDAAADAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

English for Citizenship (ESL/Civics Integrated) (EDAAADAC), International Student Academic & Personal Support (case management, referrals) (EDALANAE)

Keywords

• Newcomer integration services
• Immigrant civic engagement
• Nonprofit charity organization
• Cultural access programs
• Citizenship policy research

Headquarters

HQ city

Toronto

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Charitable Donations: The organization operates as a registered charity (Number: 82303 4145 RR0001) and relies on donor contributions to fund its programs. The website prominently features donation capabilities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Institute for Canadian Citizenship (ICC) is a registered Canadian charity that delivers programs and research to accelerate the integration of newcomers. Its flagship offering is the Canoo mobile app, which gives new Canadian citizens and permanent residents free, on-demand access to more than 2,000 cultural, nature and sport experiences across Canada. The ICC also publishes research and policy ideas on citizenship and immigration through its Research and Ideas program and recognizes leaders through the Canoo Awards.

Product overview

The Institute for Canadian Citizenship operates as a nonprofit organization offering a single primary digital product—the Canoo mobile app (also called Canoo Pass)—which provides newcomers to Canada with free access to cultural, nature, and sport experiences across the country. The organization complements its core app with a research and ideas division that produces policy research, insights, and an interactive citizenship and immigration dashboard. The Canoo Awards program recognizes partner institutions that support newcomer integration. All offerings are unified under the mission of helping immigrants settle, become citizens, and contribute to Canada.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Canoo: Canada's largest welcome and integration service app for newcomers, providing unlimited free access to over 2,000 of Canada's best culture, nature and sport experiences.

Products and services

• Canoo App

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Canadian Ski CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 October 2025The Canadian Ski Council partnered with ICC to introduce newcomers to skiing and Canadian winter experiences. The partnership aims to get newcomers onto Canada's slopes and engaged with winter sports.
• York United FCminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 23 September 2025York United FC joined the Canoo app offering Canoo members 20% off tickets plus a 10% discount on merchandise for the 2025 campaign. Soccer is positioned as the world's most popular sport with growing global fanbase.
• Halifax Tides FCminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 23 September 2025Halifax Tides FC joined the Canoo app offering 25% off tickets for the current season. Part of expanding live soccer offerings across Canada for newcomers.
• Little CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 May 2025Little Canada renewed its partnership with Canoo app effective May 12, 2025. The partnership was enhanced from the initial one-year term to a multi-year exclusive program arrangement. Canoo members enjoy exclusive access to this Canadian attraction.
• Conference Board of CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Conference Board of Canada conducted research with ICC on immigrant retention challenges. Published 'The Leaky Bucket 2025' report on retention challenges in highly skilled immigrants and in-demand occupations.
• University of TorontocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity of Toronto provided research support for ICC study on belonging and optimism as key factors in keeping immigrants in Canada.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Market position

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/iccicc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/institute-for-canadian-citizenship
• Instagraminstagram.com/icc_citizenship
• Facebookfacebook.com/instcdncitz

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Institute for Canadian Citizenship