Margaret's

What Margaret's does

Margaret's Housing and Community Support Services, Inc. (operating as Margaret's) is a Toronto-based registered Canadian charity founded in 1984 by feminist activist Margaret Frazer alongside June Callwood and other co-founders. The organization provides supportive housing, mental health services, and wraparound community supports for women 18+ experiencing mental illness, homelessness, substance use, and related marginalization in the Greater Toronto Area. Its program portfolio spans a continuum of housing (high-support transitional housing staffed 24/7, semi-supportive housing, and congregate Kinship Housing across properties including 17 Winchester, Grant House launched 2024, and Barrington launched 2009), Intensive Case Management for eviction prevention (United Way-funded), an Integrated Employment Services program for persons with disabilities (partnered with Employment Ontario), Justice Programs providing mental health diversion and court support, low-barrier Drop-In and Respite sites, 24/7 crisis intervention with a warm-line and crisis beds, and a Seniors Support partnership with Family Service Toronto. Supplementary initiatives include the Holiday Hope campaign, Socks For Hope, Full Plates food security, and a Community Engagement Team conducting mobile outreach in Downtown East Toronto.

The organization's core technology is service delivery rather than software; no proprietary platform, mobile app, API, or AI system is disclosed. Operations are supported by standard nonprofit tooling (website, social media channels, email newsletter, CanadaHelps donation processing, Facebook fundraising) and coordination via The Access Point centralized intake system. The organization does not charge clients for services; instead, it operates a multi-stream nonprofit revenue model funded primarily by government grants from United Way Greater Toronto, Ontario Health, the Ontario Ministry of the Solicitor General, and the City of Toronto, supplemented by individual donations (one-time and monthly recurring), corporate sponsorship packages for the annual Mad About Margaret's (MAM) gala, and ancillary fundraising initiatives. Margaret's is governed by a volunteer board chaired by Katie Heelis and led since December 2004 by Executive Director Diane Walter, with 51–100 employees and reported cumulative impact of 121,876 individuals served, 432,880 meals, and 698 crisis beds used.

Name

Margaret's

Legal name

Margaret's Housing and Community Support Services, Inc.

Website

https://margarets.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Margaret's Housing and Community Support Services is a Toronto-based registered charity, founded in 1984, that provides supportive housing, mental health, and community programs for women experiencing mental illness, homelessness, and marginalization across multiple sites.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Social Services — Supportive Housing and Community Mental Health

NAICS

Community Housing Services (62422), Other Community Housing Services (624229), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB)

Keywords

• Supportive housing services
• Mental health support
• Homelessness services
• Community social services
• Crisis intervention programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Toronto

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Charitable donations from individuals, processed through CanadaHelps platform. Tax-deductible donations over $10. One-time and monthly recurring donation options available.
2. Government Funding: Core funding from government sources including United Way Greater Toronto, Ontario Health, Ontario Ministry of the Solicitor General, and City of Toronto for various programs including housing services, eviction prevention, and justice programs.
3. Event Fundraising: Annual Mad About Margaret's (MAM) signature fundraising event featuring variety show and live auction. Ticket sales and sponsorships generate revenue.
4. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate partnership packages at various levels (Diamond $30,000, Gold $20,000, Silver $10,000, Bronze $5,000, Contributor $2,500) for annual event and ongoing support.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Margaret's Housing and Community Support Services is a registered Canadian charitable nonprofit that provides a continuum of supportive housing and community-based services — including transitional, semi-supportive, and congregate Kinship housing; an Intensive Case Management Eviction Prevention program; an Integrated Employment Services program for persons with disabilities; Justice Programs offering mental health diversion and court support; a Drop-In centre, Respite, and 24/7 Crisis Intervention with a warm-line; and Seniors Support in partnership with Family Service Toronto. Services are delivered free of charge to clients, primarily women 18+ experiencing mental illness, homelessness, substance use, and poverty in Toronto, and are funded through individual donations, government grants, corporate sponsorships, and fundraising events.

Product overview

Margaret's Housing and Community Support Services is a multi-service non-profit social services organization offering a continuum of housing options and community-based support services for women living with mental illness, substance use, and homelessness in Toronto. The organization operates an integrated portfolio of programs including Housing Services (transitional, semi-supportive, and congregate kinship housing at properties like 17 Winchester, Grant House, and Barrington), Intensive Case Management Eviction Prevention, Integrated Employment Services for persons with disabilities, Justice Programs for mental health diversion, Drop-In and Respite programs, Crisis Intervention with 24/7 warm line, and Seniors Support. Supplementary initiatives include the Holiday Hope Campaign, Socks For Hope, Full Plates food security program, and the Community Engagement Team mobile outreach. The flagship annual fundraiser is Mad About Margaret's (MAM), featuring the Margaret Trudeau Mental Health Advocacy Award. The organization was founded in 1984 and served 121,876 individuals with 432,880 meals and 698 crisis beds used.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Mad About Margaret's (MAM): Margaret's signature annual fundraising event - a variety show and live auction celebrating four decades of dedication and impact in supporting women's mental health and homelessness.
• Margaret Trudeau Mental Health Advocacy Award

Products and services

• Housing Services A continuum of supportive housing options for women experiencing mental illness and homelessness in Toronto, including 24/7-staffed high-support transitional housing, semi-supportive housing with weekly staff meetings, and congregate Kinship housing in a permanent family-like setting. Specific properties include 17 Winchester (35 self-contained units with 24/7 support), Grant House (for refugee and asylum-seeking women), and Barrington (for women experiencing chronic homelessness and complex health challenges).
• Intensive Case Management: Eviction Prevention Program United Way-funded program providing rapid, personalized assistance to prevent evictions for individuals and families at risk, including crisis intervention, dedicated case management, financial support and coaching, and wraparound mental health and social service connections.
• Integrated Employment Services (IES) Program Specialized employment program delivered in partnership with Employment Ontario, dedicated exclusively to supporting individuals living with disabilities. Offers employment preparation, job development and placement, and up to one year of ongoing job retention support including coaching, workplace accommodations, and access to transit, clothing, and essential work supplies.
• Justice Programs Intensive individual assistance and advocacy for individuals with mental health challenges accused of low-risk offences, including mental health diversion (pre-diversion and diversion), court diversion services, and release from custody planning. Funded by the Ontario Ministry of the Solicitor General.
• Drop-In Program Low-barrier drop-in centre at 323 Dundas Street East offering safe space, hot meals, clothing, healthcare access (family doctor, psychiatrist, dental hygienist, foot clinic), mental health and addiction support, housing assistance, and women's and seniors' programming. Currently closed until further notice; Community Engagement Team available for referrals.
• Respite Program Low-barrier respite services at 21 Park Rd, open 7 days a week, offering meals, shelter, and support for homeless, under-housed, or precariously housed individuals. Services include healthcare access, housing support, and women's and seniors' programming accessed via referral through Central Intake.
• Crisis Intervention Program 24/7 warm line providing crisis intervention services to prevent escalation and unnecessary hospitalizations, including crisis beds, short-term crisis management, food and clothing security programs, and psychiatric clinics.
• Seniors Support Program Partnership with Family Service Toronto providing individualized support for seniors living with mental illness and age-related physical challenges, including homemaking, accompaniment, nutrition, personal care, and support worker services to maintain independent living. Designed to reduce emergency department visits and delay long-term care placements.
• Mad About Margaret's (MAM) Annual Gala Annual signature fundraising variety show and live auction celebrating Margaret's impact, featuring performances and entertainment to support women's mental health and homelessness programs. Includes the Margaret Trudeau Mental Health Advocacy Award presentation. Tiered corporate sponsorships (Diamond $30,000; Gold $20,000; Silver $10,000; Bronze $5,000; Contributor $2,500) and individual tickets ($250, with a 10-seat bundle at $2,000).
• Grant House (Refugee & Asylum-Seeking Women Housing Program) Margaret's newest housing program established in 2024, supporting refugee and asylum-seeking women in downtown East Toronto. Rooted in Margaret's congregate Kinship housing model, providing safe housing, community integration, and family stability in a permanent family-like setting with 24/7 on-site support.
• Barrington Housing Program Long-standing supportive housing program established in 2009 in East Toronto, serving women experiencing chronic homelessness and complex health challenges. Provides stable, dignified housing with wraparound supports for women with intersecting poverty, mental health, and physical health needs.
• 17 Winchester Supportive Housing 35 self-contained housing units with 24/7 on-site support for women in recovery, operating as part of Margaret's high-support transitional housing portfolio.
• Holiday Hope Campaign Annual seasonal fundraising campaign providing safe housing, meals, and mental health support during the holiday season for women, seniors, and community members facing the rising cost of living and lack of accessible housing.
• Community Engagement Team (CET) Mobile Outreach Mobile crisis intervention team providing a visible presence in Toronto's Downtown East, serving individuals experiencing poverty, homelessness, mental health, and addiction challenges through street outreach, warm hand-off referrals, and accompaniment to services.

Quantifiable outcome

• Clients have higher chance to integrate into the community
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 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.

• United Way Greater TorontocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor funder for Intensive Case Management: Eviction Prevention program. United Way logo displayed prominently on homepage indicating key partnership. Contact: Community Engagement Team at 647-327-3118.
• Ontario HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment health partner providing funding and support for mental health services. Ontario Health logo displayed on homepage.
• Ontario Ministry of the Solicitor GeneralcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment funder for justice programs including mental health diversion and court support services.
• City of TorontocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal government partner providing funding and support for housing and community services.
• Toronto Community HousingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic community partnership providing housing options. Logo displayed on housing services page.
• YWCA TorontocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic community partnership for housing services collaboration.
• Sionoto Social HousingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic community partnership for housing options.
• St. Clare's HousingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic community partnership for housing services.
• Family Service TorontocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to provide direct support to seniors including homemaking, accompaniment, nutrition, and personal care services.
• Employment OntariocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Integrated Employment Services (IES) program supporting persons with disabilities. Logo displayed on IES program page.
• The Access PointcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCentralized intake system for mental health and addictions support services and supportive housing in Toronto. Margaret's participates in the coordinated access network.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• YWCA Toronto: Toronto-based nonprofit providing housing, shelter, and support services for women, including those experiencing homelessness and violence. Closely comparable mission and service lines, and is also a named strategic partner of Margaret's.
• Dixon Hall: Toronto multi-service nonprofit providing housing, employment, and community programs for low-income residents in Downtown East. Overlapping geography and integrated services model similar to Margaret's.
• Covenant House Toronto: Toronto nonprofit providing shelter, housing, and supportive services for youth and young adults experiencing homelessness. Comparable nonprofit operating model, government funding mix, and community-based service delivery in Toronto.
• Homes First Society: Toronto's largest supportive housing provider, operating shelters and permanent housing for people experiencing homelessness. Comparable Housing First delivery model and similar reliance on municipal and provincial housing funding.
• Fred Victor: Toronto nonprofit offering housing, mental health, and employment services to people experiencing homelessness and poverty. Direct peer serving overlapping populations with comparable Housing First and wraparound models.
• Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Toronto: Toronto branch of Canada's largest mental health nonprofit, offering supportive housing, case management, and community programs. Strong overlap with Margaret's mental-health-and-homelessness mandate and government funding relationships.
• Nellie's (Nellie's Hostel and Community Centre): Toronto women's shelter and community support organization serving women and children fleeing violence, abuse, and homelessness. Direct peer in women's homelessness services with overlapping funder pool.

Broad incumbents

• Family Service Toronto: Established Toronto social service agency offering counseling, seniors support, and community programs — including as Margaret's named partner in the Seniors Support Program. Broader scope but overlapping populations and referral networks.

Emerging players

• Eva's Initiatives for Homeless Youth: Toronto nonprofit providing housing, employment training, and shelter for youth experiencing homelessness. Comparable service-portfolio design but focused on youth rather than women with mental illness.

Regional players

• The Neighbourhood Group (TNG): Toronto Downtown East social services agency offering housing, settlement, and community programs. Overlapping Toronto geography and low-income client base with comparable housing and case-management services.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Margarets_TO
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCDg3zDzXpwhRtupJRaxr4VQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/MargaretsTO
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/margarets
• Instagraminstagram.com/margarets_to
• Pinterestpinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmargarets.ca

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

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 Margaret's