The Kidney Foundation of Canada

What The Kidney Foundation of Canada does

The Kidney Foundation of Canada is a national charitable organization founded in 1964 and headquartered in Montreal (880-5160 Decarie Blvd.). It is the only Canadian charity dedicated exclusively to kidney disease, serving the over 4 million Canadians living with chronic kidney disease (CKD) — including more than 50,000 on dialysis or living with a kidney transplant — alongside at-risk populations, living organ donors, kidney researchers, and the broader Canadian public. Its 2025 program footprint included $4.5M in research investment, $1.2M in short-term patient financial assistance, $248,289 in summer camp subsidies, and distribution of 93,433 educational handbooks and brochures.

The Foundation operates an integrated digital platform suite comprising KidneyLink (a patient/researcher portal co-launched with the Can-SOLVE CKD Network), the Kidney Wellness Hub (offering Exercise Snacks and kinesiology-led wellness programs), Kidney Community Kitchen (nutrition and recipes), the Kidney Info Portal, and Kidney PLUGGED IN (online community). It is also co-developing the VIRTUE-HD virtual reality exercise program for hemodialysis patients with McGill University Health Centre and Montreal-based VR firm Super Splendide Inc. — recognized as the first feasibility clinical trial of its kind in Canada for HD patients and awarded the 2025 CSN-Otsuka Vicky Karoutas Memorial Award. The Foundation funds research through KRESCENT (with CIHR and the Canadian Society of Nephrology), Can-SOLVE CKD, CDTRP, NEPTUNE, and the EQUIP Re-CKD and SUGARNSALT projects, and supports patient-partner engagement across multiple universities.

Revenue is generated through individual donations (one-time, monthly, in-memory, legacy/wills), corporate and foundation grants (CIHR, Hyatt Family Foundation, Alport Syndrome Foundation, AstraZeneca, Bayer, Foundation of Greater Montreal), third-party fundraising events (the Kidney Walk in 70+ locations nationally), and specialty donation programs (Kidney Car, Kidney Clothes Ontario). No fee-based pricing exists; all services are free to patients and the public. On World Kidney Day 2026, the Foundation launched Canada's first National Strategic Framework for Chronic Kidney Disease, supported by a Deloitte-commissioned report quantifying CKD's $11.7B annual cost (projected $17.6B by 2050), explicitly positioning the organization to drive systemic shift from reactive treatment to proactive prevention.

Name

The Kidney Foundation of Canada

Legal name

The Kidney Foundation of Canada

Website

https://kidney.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1964

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

The Kidney Foundation of Canada is a national nonprofit (founded 1964, Montreal-based) serving over 4 million Canadians affected by chronic kidney disease through research funding, patient financial assistance, peer support, digital health platforms, advocacy, and the National Strategic Framework for CKD.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Chronic Kidney Disease Nonprofit Health Services

NAICS

Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Health & Medical Research Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGACAG), Public Charities & Grantmaking Intermediaries (BPAGAKAE), Scholarship & Fellowship Foundations and Trusts (EDADAHAC)

Keywords

• Kidney disease research
• Patient support services
• Health charity donations
• Organ donation advocacy
• Chronic disease awareness

Headquarters

HQ city

Montréal

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: The primary revenue stream comes from individual donors contributing through one-time gifts, monthly donations, in-memory/tribute donations, and legacy gifts through wills. The Foundation operates direct-to-consumer online donation portals and direct mail campaigns.
2. Corporate and Foundation Grants: The Foundation receives grants and matching contributions from corporate partners (AstraZeneca, Bayer) and foundations (Hyatt Family Foundation, Alport Syndrome Foundation, CIHR) to fund specific research programs and patient initiatives.
3. Third-Party Fundraising Events: Revenue generated through organized events including Kidney Walk, golf tournaments, and other community fundraisers. Participants raise funds through personal fundraising pages and event registrations.
4. Specialty Programs (Kidney Car, Kidney Clothes): Vehicle donation program (Kidney Car) and clothing donation program (Kidney Clothes Ontario) where donated assets are converted to fundraising revenue.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

The Kidney Foundation of Canada is a national charitable organization that delivers free patient support programs (peer support, short-term financial assistance, summer camps, living organ donor expense reimbursement), funds kidney disease research ($4.5M invested in 2025), and runs national awareness and fundraising campaigns (Kidney Walk, Green Shirt Day, Kidney Health Month). It operates through local chapters across Canada and digital platforms including KidneyLink, the Kidney Wellness Hub, and the Kidney Community Kitchen.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• KidneyLink: A user-friendly portal where patients, care partners, family members, and donors can search for opportunities to get involved, learn about new research findings, and access research training and resources.
• Kidney Community Kitchen
• Kidney Info Portal
• Kidney Wellness Hub
• Kidney PLUGGED IN

Products and services

• Short-Term Financial Assistance Program Direct financial aid for Canadians living with kidney disease to help cover costs associated with treatment, medication, and living expenses. The Foundation provided $1.2M through this program in 2025.
• Summer Camps for Children with Kidney Disease Subsidized summer camp experiences for children living with kidney disease. The Foundation provided $248,289 in summer camp subsidies in 2025.
• Living Organ Donor Expense Reimbursement Program Reimbursement program that covers expenses incurred by living kidney donors, reducing financial barriers to living organ donation.
• One-on-One Peer Support Mentoring program that connects kidney disease patients and families with trained peer supporters who have lived experience with kidney disease.
• Kidney Walk Annual national fundraising walk held at 70+ locations across Canada (May 3 – October 18, 2026), bringing together patients, families, donors, and supporters to raise funds for kidney research and programs.
• Kidney Car Vehicle Donation Program Vehicle donation program where donated cars are converted into fundraising revenue for the Foundation.
• Kidney Clothes Ontario Clothing Donation Program Clothing donation program operating in Ontario where donated garments are converted into fundraising revenue.
• National Strategic Framework for Chronic Kidney Disease Country's first unified roadmap to transform kidney care from reactive crisis management to proactive prevention and early intervention, launched on World Kidney Day (March 12, 2026).
• KidneyLink Research Engagement Portal Online portal co-launched with the Can-SOLVE CKD Network where patients, care partners, family members, and donors can search for research involvement opportunities, learn about new research findings, and access research training and resources.
• Kidney Wellness Hub Online wellness platform offering Exercise Snacks (2-10 minute movement bouts), wellness classes, and personalized kinesiology plans for kidney patients.
• Kidney Community Kitchen Resource website providing nutrition information and kidney-friendly recipes for people with kidney disease.
• KRESCENT National Research Training Program National kidney research training program funded by the Kidney Foundation of Canada along with CIHR and the Canadian Society of Nephrology, supporting early-career kidney researchers.
• Early Career Transition Award (REDI) Research award supporting early-career kidney researchers transitioning to independent research careers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Early detection and better CKD management could prevent up to 32% of kidney failure cases
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers6 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

Feature4 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Alport Syndrome Foundation (ASF)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 May 2026The Kidney Foundation of Canada invested $50,000 USD (supported by the Pedersen Alport Syndrome Research Fund) to support the NEPTUNE Alport Ancillary Study, a natural history study of Alport syndrome in 72 patients over 3 years. The study collects whole genome sequencing, kidney function measurements, hearing assessments, and biospecimens. ASF is a US-based patient-led nonprofit dedicated to improving lives of those affected by Alport Syndrome, established in 2007.
• London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 January 2026LHSC's Renal Program held its first community renal screening event in Oneida Nation of the Thames to promote early detection of kidney disease and reduce access barriers for Indigenous communities. The Kidney Foundation of Canada supported this event as part of broader efforts to address health equity in kidney care.
• Manitoba Medical Service Foundation (MMSF)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026The Kidney Foundation contributed $20,000 to support the CURE (Cytomegalovirus Understanding and Resistance Evaluation) research project led by Dr. Ayooluwa Bolaji at the University of Manitoba. The project aims to develop a new tool to streamline diagnosis and treatment of antiviral resistant cytomegalovirus infection in transplant recipients. MMSF is a not-for-profit established in 1971 supporting early career researchers in Manitoba.
• DeloittecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026The Kidney Foundation of Canada commissioned Deloitte to produce the report 'Health Economic Impact of Improving Chronic Kidney Disease Management in Canada,' providing economic evidence to support adoption of the National Strategic Framework for CKD. The report quantifies the $11.7 billion annual cost of CKD and projects $17.6 billion by 2050.
• Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022The Kidney Foundation of Canada partnered with CIHR Institute of Nutrition, Metabolism and Diabetes (CIHR-INMD) to accelerate research into diabetic kidney disease. Each organization contributes $1 million over five years (matched funds), bringing together a world-class team of researchers to investigate new ways of preventing diabetic kidney disease and improving patient outcomes. This partnership honors the 100th anniversary of insulin discovery by Canadian researchers.
• Can-SOLVE CKD NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Kidney Foundation partnered with Can-SOLVE CKD to launch KidneyLink, a user-friendly portal where patients, care partners, family members, and donors can search for research involvement opportunities, learn about new research findings, and access research training and resources. The partnership enables patient-centered research engagement across Canada.
• CDTRP (Canadian Donation and Transplantation Research Program)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Foundation partners with CDTRP on the TREAT-COVID study addressing critical issues and emerging therapeutics in transplantation for COVID-19. CDTRP serves as the coordinating body for the national study recruiting transplant recipients and caregivers across BC, Alberta, Ontario, and Quebec.
• NEPTUNE (Nephrotic Syndrome Study Network)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNEPTUNE is an international research consortium based at the University of Michigan, collecting detailed clinical, genetic, and biological data from kidney disease patients since 2009. The Kidney Foundation partnered through ASF to support the Alport Ancillary Study, which recently expanded to include a site in Toronto, Ontario, enabling Canadian patients and researchers to participate in this international effort.
• University of Toronto (Oga Lab)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearchers at the University of Toronto are developing a home-based biosensor device to monitor kidney function (measuring creatinine). The Kidney Foundation's website lists this as a patient engagement opportunity for a study seeking patient input on device design, features, and supports. Recruitment open until December 31, 2026.
• University of Alberta (Dr. Diana Mager)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Foundation facilitates patient participation in University of Alberta research studies including: food insecurity in households with transplant children, food insecurity and diet quality in adults with CKD, and the TREAT-COVID study. Dr. Diana Mager leads multiple studies listed on the Foundation's research engagement portal.
• University of Manitoba (Home First Dialysis Project)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Foundation facilitates patient partner recruitment for the Home First project at the University of Manitoba, which aims to provide comprehensive support and education for CKD patients with dedicated experts to guide them through home dialysis. Patient partners must be English-speaking residents of Manitoba.
• MEDSKLminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Kidney Foundation partnered with MEDSKL, a free open-access medical education platform, to recruit patient volunteers to share their kidney disease experience with medical students through a live webinar series called 'Patient Perspectives.' The Foundation promotes this opportunity to its community as a volunteer advocacy option.
• KRESCENTcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKRESCENT is a national research training program in kidney disease funded by the Kidney Foundation of Canada along with Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the Canadian Society of Nephrology. Listed as a core research partnership on the Foundation's Programs & Partnerships page.
• CQDM (Quebec Consortium for Drug Discovery)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a research partnership on the Foundation's Programs & Partnerships page. CQDM is a Quebec-based consortium focused on accelerating drug discovery and development.
• Alberta Health ServicesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAlberta Health Services' Alberta Healthy Living Program partners with the Kidney Foundation of Canada, Southern Alberta Branch, to deliver free in-person kidney health information sessions in Calgary, taught by a Registered Nurse.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• National Kidney Foundation: The leading US national nonprofit dedicated to kidney disease, with the same three-pillar model of research funding, patient services, and advocacy. Operates Kidney Walk events and peer support programs analogous to those of the Kidney Foundation of Canada, and is the most direct functional mirror — differing only by geography.
• American Kidney Fund: US-based kidney-focused nonprofit providing direct financial assistance to kidney patients and funding research. Closely comparable in mission around patient financial aid and disease-specific grantmaking.
• Polycystic Kidney Disease Foundation: US-based disease-specific nonprofit funding PKD research and supporting patients, analogous in scope to the Kidney Foundation of Canada but narrower in disease focus. Comparable in patient engagement and research grantmaking model.
• Diabetes Canada: Canadian national charity addressing diabetes, the leading cause of kidney failure in Canada. Directly comparable in national Canadian health charity scale and model, with overlapping research priorities through the diabetic kidney disease campaign.

Broad incumbents

• Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada: Canada's largest health charity, operating with the same national chapter-based model, research funding, patient support, and advocacy structure. Comparable in operating model and donor base competition, though with broader cardiovascular scope.
• Canadian Cancer Society: Major Canadian national health charity with similar structure of research funding, patient services, advocacy, and community-based fundraising events. Competes for the same donor and volunteer pools.
• Cystic Fibrosis Canada: Canadian national disease-focused charity funding research and supporting patients, comparable in scale and chapter-based operating model. Similar in its combination of research grantmaking and direct patient financial assistance.
• Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada: Canadian national health charity with analogous structure of research funding, peer support, advocacy, and community-based fundraising. Competes for similar individual and corporate donor segments.
• ALS Society of Canada: Canadian national disease-focused charity funding research and providing patient services. Comparable in disease-specific mandate, smaller scale, and reliance on community fundraising and matched research grants.
• Canadian Lung Association: Canadian national respiratory health charity with similar research, patient education, and advocacy mandate. Comparable in national reach, chapter structure, and donor base competition.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/kidneycanada
• Facebookfacebook.com/kidneyfoundation
• LinkedInca.linkedin.com/company/the-kidney-foundation-of-canada

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about The Kidney Foundation of Canada