The Kidney Foundation of Canada
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.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1964
- HeadquartersMontréal, Canada
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
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.
The Kidney Foundation of Canada firmographics
Firmographics- 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
The Kidney Foundation of Canada industry classification
Industry- 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
Where The Kidney Foundation of Canada is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Montréal
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
The Kidney Foundation of Canada business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
The Kidney Foundation of Canada product offering
Product offeringCore 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
Companies that use The Kidney Foundation of Canada
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
The Kidney Foundation of Canada technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
The Kidney Foundation of Canada partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Alport Syndrome Foundation (ASF)coreThe 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)minorLHSC'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)minorThe 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.
- DeloittecoreThe 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)coreThe 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 NetworkcoreThe 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)coreThe 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)coreNEPTUNE 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)minorResearchers 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)minorThe 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)minorThe 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.
- MEDSKLminorThe 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.
- KRESCENTcoreKRESCENT 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)minorListed 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 ServicesminorAlberta 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
The Kidney Foundation of Canada competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect 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
The Kidney Foundation of Canada social profiles
Digital presenceThe Kidney Foundation of Canada financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Kidney Foundation of Canada leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
The Kidney Foundation of Canada funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Kidney Foundation of Canada 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 Kidney Foundation of Canada
What does The Kidney Foundation of Canada do?
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.
Is The Kidney Foundation of Canada a public or private company?
The Kidney Foundation of Canada is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Kidney Foundation of Canada founded?
The Kidney Foundation of Canada was founded in 1964. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is The Kidney Foundation of Canada based?
The Kidney Foundation of Canada is headquartered in Montréal, Canada, in the North America region.
How does The Kidney Foundation of Canada make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations are the primary driver. The others are corporate and Foundation Grants, third-Party Fundraising Events and specialty Programs (Kidney Car, Kidney Clothes).
Who are The Kidney Foundation of Canada's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are National Kidney Foundation, American Kidney Fund, Polycystic Kidney Disease Foundation and Diabetes Canada. Broad incumbents are Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada, Canadian Cancer Society, Cystic Fibrosis Canada, Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada, ALS Society of Canada and Canadian Lung Association.
Does The Kidney Foundation of Canada have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Kidney Foundation of Canada.
What industry is The Kidney Foundation of Canada in?
The Kidney Foundation of Canada's product category is Chronic Kidney Disease Nonprofit Health Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAKAL, Health & Medical Research Grantmaking Foundations, with a secondary code of BPAGACAG, Disability Services & Independent Living Support. Its NAICS code is 813212 and its SIC code is 8300.