Springboard Services
Springboard Services is a Toronto-based non-profit (founded 1974) delivering developmental, employment, justice, and digital learning programs to vulnerable youth and adults in the GTA and across Canada.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1974
- HeadquartersToronto, Canada
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Springboard Services does
Springboard Services (legally Operation Springboard) is a Toronto-based non-profit charitable organization incorporated in 1974 that delivers four interconnected service lines across the Greater Toronto Area and, through its digital platform, nationally across Canada: Developmental Services for adults with developmental disabilities (including supported independent living, group homes, and fee-for-service community programs such as Discovery Connect); Employment Services for job seekers aged 15+ facing employment barriers (delivered through Employment Ontario's Integrated Employment Services, Canada-Ontario Job Grant administration, and Ontario Works programs such as i-Connect and Learn 2 Earn); Justice Services supporting youth and adults navigating the justice system (including the 24/7 Terry Fox House youth residence, Youth Court Action Planning, Youth Justice Committees, Community Service Order, and Direct Accountability Program); and the Community Learning HUB, a digital learning platform launched in 2009 (described in product history as 1988) that provides 100+ hours of interactive modules to 250+ schools and social service organizations nationwide.
The Community Learning HUB is the organization's primary technology asset, structured around facilitator-led delivery of structured curriculum on topics including anger management, substance abuse, violence prevention, cannabis-impaired driving risk (Weed Out the Risk), and youth resilience. Integrations are limited to Calendly for appointment scheduling and MyCommunityHub for program registration. The organization is expanding into real estate through a 19-unit affordable housing development at 976 College Street in Toronto, dedicated to adults with developmental disabilities, with construction expected late 2025 or early Spring 2026.
Springboard's revenue model is grant- and donation-driven rather than commercial: primary funding flows from provincial and municipal government sources (Employment Ontario, Ministry of Community and Social Services via Passport funding, Ontario Trillium Foundation's Youth Opportunities Fund, City of Toronto/Ontario Works, Canada-Ontario Job Grant), supplemented by individual and corporate donations channeled through an annual golf tournament and a Givecloud donation portal. Most services are free to participants; a subset of developmental programs such as Discovery Connect are fee-for-service, purchased through MCCSS Passport funding or personal funds. Cameron Scholarships of up to $5,000 per year are administered via Toronto Community Foundation. The organization is governed by a volunteer board and led by CEO Lidia Monaco, who succeeded long-tenured Executive Director Marg Stanowski in 2022.
Springboard Services firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Springboard Services
- Legal name
- Operation Springboard
- Website
- https://springboardservices.ca
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1974
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Springboard Services is a Toronto-based non-profit (founded 1974) delivering developmental, employment, justice, and digital learning programs to vulnerable youth and adults in the GTA and across Canada.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Springboard Services industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Social and Community Services
- NAICS
- Child and Youth Services (62411), Educational Support Services (6117)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Wraparound Student Support & Case Management Services (At-Risk K–12) (EDAJAEAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Court/Community School Programs (Diversion, Probation-Linked, Community Day Schools) (EDAJAEAI), Youth-to-Adult Transition & Life Skills (Independent Living, Soft Skills) (EDAAAFAN)
Keywords
Where Springboard Services is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Toronto
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices8 records
Markets served
Springboard Services business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Government Funding: Primary funding from federal, provincial, and municipal government sources including Employment Ontario (Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development), Ministry of Community and Social Services (MCCSS) for Developmental Services, and Ontario Trillium Foundation (Youth Opportunities Fund).
- Donations and Fundraising: Individual donors, corporate partnerships, and annual giving campaigns. Includes special events such as the Annual Golf Tournament and Annual Celebration of Achievements. Also accepts in-kind donations of technology, educational materials, gift cards, clothing, and personal items.
- Fee-for-Service Programs: Some programs like Discovery Connect are fee-for-service, purchased through Ministry of Community and Social Services 'Passport' funding or personal funds.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Fee-for-service community programs for individuals with developmental disabilities |
| Other | One time/ perpetual license | Donor-directed giving to specific program areas |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels10 records
Springboard Services product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Springboard Services is a multi-service non-profit organization that delivers four core program streams: Developmental Services (community programs, supported housing, and independent living for adults with developmental disabilities), Employment Services (counseling, coaching, and skill-building for job seekers facing barriers), Justice Services (navigation support, open custody/detention residences, and community-based reintegration programs for youth and adults involved in the justice system), and the Community Learning HUB (a proprietary digital learning platform offering 100+ hours of interactive content to schools and social service organizations across Canada). The organization primarily serves individuals and families across Ontario through referrals from government agencies, schools, and community partners.
Product overview
Springboard Services is a multi-service non-profit organization offering four interconnected core program areas: Developmental Services (supporting adults with developmental disabilities through community programs, supported housing, and independent living), Employment Services (providing job counseling, coaching, and skill-building for individuals facing barriers), Justice Services (supporting youth and adults navigating the justice system through community-based programs and Terry Fox House), and the Community Learning HUB (a digital learning platform providing accessible training for youth and adults across Canada). The organization also operates supplementary initiatives including scholarships, specialized youth justice programs, and a housing development project at 976 College Street. The four core service areas share common goals of supporting vulnerable populations to achieve independence and meaningful participation in community life.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Community Learning HUB: A digital learning platform designed to increase the health, resilience, leadership, and inclusion of marginalized populations. Provides over 100 hours of interactive learning for youth and adults.
- Discovery Connect
- Weed Out the Risk (WOTR)
- Terry Fox House
Products and services
- Developmental Services (DS) Programs supporting adults 18+ with developmental disabilities or dual diagnosis to foster independence and promote overall well-being. Includes community programs, supported independent living, supported housing, and person-directed planning across the Greater Toronto Area. Referrals are routed through Developmental Services Ontario (DSO).
- Employment Services (ES) Programs providing one-on-one counseling, job coaching, and skill-building workshops for individuals aged 15+ facing employment barriers, including newcomers, Ontario Works recipients, and those with justice involvement. Achieved a 90% successful completion rate in 2023-24.
- Justice Services (JS) Comprehensive support for youth aged 12-24 and adults navigating the justice system. Includes open custody and detention at Terry Fox House, adult justice programs (Community Service Order, Direct Accountability Program, Federal Diversion), and youth justice programs (Attendance Program, Youth Connect, Youth Court Action Planning, Youth Justice Committees, Youth In Transition Worker).
- Community Learning HUB A proprietary digital learning platform that promotes health, resilience, leadership, and inclusion for youth and young adults. Supports 250+ schools and social service organizations across Canada with 100+ hours of interactive learning modules covering finance, gender equality, peace and justice, education, health and well-being, and decent work.
- Discovery Connect A fee-for-service community program offering social, recreational, and life skills activities (cooking classes, bowling, pottery, museum visits, community engagement) for adults with developmental disabilities. Purchased through MCCSS Passport funding or personal funds.
- Seeking Opportunities Accessing Resources (SOAR) A day program for adults with developmental disabilities or dual diagnosis focusing on increasing independence and community participation through job preparation, money management, healthy cooking, fitness, and recreational therapy.
- Integrated Employment Services (IES) An Employment Ontario-funded program providing personalized employment action plans, one-on-one coaching, resume support, job search workshops, and employer connections.
- Terry Fox House (TFH) A 24/7 live-in program for young men ages 12-17 charged with offenses requiring open custody or detention. Provides counseling, educational assistance, employment services, life skills, and transitional planning.
- i-CONNECT An 8-week WRAP program funded by the City of Toronto for Ontario Works recipients aged 18-29, providing wellness checks, group social activities, and connections to health and social resources.
- Learn 2 Earn (L2E) An 8-week course for youth aged 18-29 receiving Ontario Works benefits, providing hands-on skills in digital media and e-commerce with industry mentorship and job placement support.
- Weed Out the Risk (WOTR) An interactive, harm-reduction based educational program informing youth about risks associated with driving high or being passengers with cannabis-impaired drivers. Includes facilitator training for schools and communities, with versions for youth 12-18 and adults 19+.
- Canada-Ontario Job Grant (COJG) A program providing employers up to $10,000 in government support per person for employee training costs, with small businesses contributing only 1/6 of total training cost and large businesses 1/2.
- Cameron Scholarship Annual awards of $500 to $2,000 (exceptional cases up to $5,000) to help Springboard clients overcome financial barriers to higher education, funded by the DOMAC Fund and administered by Toronto Community Foundation.
Quantifiable outcome
- 10,000+ individuals supported in 2024-25
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Springboard Services
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Springboard Services technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
Feature2 records
Springboard Services partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Developmental Services Ontario (DSO)coreCentral referral hub for Developmental Services. DSO is responsible for assessing eligibility, prioritizing needs, and guiding individuals through the referral process for Springboard's community-based programs for individuals with developmental disabilities.
- Toronto District School Board (TDSB)coreCollaboration for Education and Community Partnership Program (ECPP) at the Attendance Centre. TDSB provides a full-time teacher as part of the program offering enhanced educational support and credit-worthy treatment programming for youth in the justice system.
- Strides TorontocorePartner in Education and Community Partnership Program (ECPP) providing full-time Child and Youth Worker support, and in Youth Connect program providing LIKE groups focused on leadership, healthy relationships, and conflict resolution.
- Community Placement NetworkminorNetwork of partner sites where individuals in Community Service Order programs complete volunteer placements. Springboard matches placements to each person's interests, experience, and strengths.
- Fernie Youth ServicescoreOne of five community partners in the Youth Opportunities Fund systems innovation project, collaborating to improve justice responses for Black and racialized neurodivergent youth.
- Justice for Children & YouthcoreOne of five community partners in the YOF systems innovation project focused on improving justice system responses for Black and racialized neurodivergent youth.
- Surrey PlacecoreOne of five community partners in the YOF systems innovation project, bringing expertise in developmental disabilities services.
- Woodgreen Community ServicescoreOne of five community partners in the YOF systems innovation project, contributing to collaborative approaches for serving neurodivergent youth.
- Youth Alliance for Intersectional JusticecoreOne of five community partners in the YOF systems innovation project, providing youth voice and intersectional justice expertise.
Scale indicators11 records
Recent moves11 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Springboard Services competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Strides Toronto: A Toronto-based multi-service youth agency offering mental health, justice, employment, and developmental programs. Directly collaborates with Springboard on the Education and Community Partnership Program (ECPP) and Youth Connect LIKE groups, serving overlapping youth populations.
- Woodgreen Community Services: A Toronto multi-service nonprofit delivering employment, housing, and family supports. Partnered with Springboard on the YOF systems innovation project for Black and racialized neurodivergent youth, serving structurally overlapping populations and competing for similar Ontario service contracts.
- Surrey Place: A Toronto-based developmental services agency serving individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism. Partnered with Springboard on the YOF neurodivergent youth project and operates overlapping Community Services Ontario-funded programs for adults with developmental disabilities.
- John Howard Society of Ontario: Ontario-wide network of justice-focused nonprofits delivering diversion, reintegration, and youth justice services. Directly comparable to Springboard's Justice Services division; in fact, the John Howard Society of Toronto merged its operations into Springboard in 1986, making its successor organizations historical and operational peers.
- COSTI Immigrant Services: Ontario-wide settlement and employment services agency serving newcomers. Competes for Employment Ontario and IES contracts in the GTA and serves a similar employment-barrier population through funded programs.
- Fernie Youth Services: Ontario youth justice and residential services provider partnered with Springboard on the YOF systems innovation project. Operates youth justice residence and community programs that overlap with Springboard's Justice Services portfolio.
- Community Living Toronto: Toronto-based DSO-affiliated nonprofit providing supported independent living, day programs, and residential services for adults with developmental disabilities. Directly competes for Developmental Services contracts and Passport-funded fee-for-service programming similar to Discovery Connect.
Broad incumbents
- YWCA Toronto: Large, established Toronto women's services agency offering housing, employment, and newcomer programs. Operates across multiple service lines funded by the same Ontario ministries as Springboard and serves overlapping populations.
Emerging players
- Eva's Initiatives for Homeless Youth: Toronto-based nonprofit providing shelter, housing, and employment programming for youth experiencing homelessness. Comparable in target population (vulnerable youth in the GTA) and similar funding model (government contracts + donations).
- Pathways to Education: National charity supporting youth from low-income communities to complete high school and access post-secondary education. Operates in the same at-risk-youth, education-completion space as Springboard's Attendance Program and Cameron Scholarship.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Springboard Services social profiles
Digital presenceSpringboard Services financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Springboard Services leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles12 records
Springboard Services funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Springboard Services 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 Springboard Services
What does Springboard Services do?
Springboard Services is a multi-service non-profit organization that delivers four core program streams: Developmental Services (community programs, supported housing, and independent living for adults with developmental disabilities), Employment Services (counseling, coaching, and skill-building for job seekers facing barriers), Justice Services (navigation support, open custody/detention residences, and community-based reintegration programs for youth and adults involved in the justice system), and the Community Learning HUB (a proprietary digital learning platform offering 100+ hours of interactive content to schools and social service organizations across Canada). The organization primarily serves individuals and families across Ontario through referrals from government agencies, schools, and community partners.
Is Springboard Services a public or private company?
Springboard Services is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Springboard Services founded?
Springboard Services was founded in 1974. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Springboard Services based?
Springboard Services is headquartered in Toronto, Canada, in the North America region.
How does Springboard Services make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Government Funding is the primary driver. The others are donations and Fundraising and fee-for-Service Programs.
Who are Springboard Services's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Strides Toronto, Woodgreen Community Services, Surrey Place, John Howard Society of Ontario, COSTI Immigrant Services, Fernie Youth Services and Community Living Toronto. YWCA Toronto is listed as a broad incumbent. Emerging players are Eva's Initiatives for Homeless Youth and Pathways to Education.
Does Springboard Services have an API?
No public API is recorded for Springboard Services.
What industry is Springboard Services in?
Springboard Services's product category is Social and Community Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAJAEAJ, Wraparound Student Support & Case Management Services (At-Risk K–12), with a secondary code of EDAJAEAI, Court/Community School Programs (Diversion, Probation-Linked, Community Day Schools). Its NAICS code is 62411 and its SIC code is 8200.