The 519
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1976
- HeadquartersToronto, Canada
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
The 519 firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The 519
- Legal name
- The 519 Church Street Community Centre
- Website
- https://the519.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1976
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where The 519 is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Toronto
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
The 519 business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- City of Toronto Funding: The core administrative activities of The 519 are funded by the City of Toronto as a member of the Association of Community Centres (AOCCs) network. The program component is funded by the AOCC through various revenue sources such as grants, donations, and fees.
- Grants and Donations: Revenue generated through grants, donations, and charitable contributions. The 519 is a registered charity (119310761-RR0001) that relies on philanthropic support to sustain and expand its programs.
- Program and Space Fees: Revenue from fees associated with programs, services, and space bookings including Fabarnak Restaurant social enterprise and catering operations.
- Signature Events: Revenue from signature events including the Green Space Festival and Annual Gala which raise funds for programming.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Annual | Free membership with access to AGM and voting rights for catchment area residents |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels9 records
The 519 product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The 519 is a City of Toronto community centre and registered charity that delivers a three-pillar model of Service, Space, and Leadership for 2SLGBTQ+ communities. It provides more than 60 free or low-cost programs including refugee settlement, legal clinics, trans-specific services, family and children's programs, housing support, community wellness, arts and culture, and workplace inclusion training, all delivered primarily through its physical facility at 519 Church Street and supplemented by mobile, shelter, and virtual channels.
Product overview
The 519 operates as a multi-service community center with an innovative model of Service, Space, and Leadership. Rather than a single product, it offers a comprehensive portfolio of over 60 programs and services serving 2SLGBTQ+ communities in Toronto and beyond. Key programs include refugee settlement services (Among Friends, Love In Action, FUEL), legal initiatives (LGBTQ+ Refugee Legal Clinic, Trans ID Clinic, Health Justice Hub), family and children's services (EarlyON Child and Family Centre, Glitterbug), housing support (Pacewood shelter), education and training, community wellness programs, arts and culture initiatives, and signature events like the Green Space Festival. The organization also provides accessible space booking for community groups and hosts the annual AIDS Memorial Vigil.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Among Friends Refugee Support Program One-on-one case support, settlement services, and community connection program for LGBTQ+ refugee claimants rebuilding their lives in Canada.
- LGBTQ+ Refugee Legal Clinic Legal advice and support clinic specifically for LGBTQ+ refugees and refugee claimants.
- Mock Hearing Program Program helping refugee claimants prepare for refugee hearings through mock sessions and practice.
- Love In Action Intake Event Large-scale intake event providing welcome kits, meals, referrals, and essential support services for LGBTQ+ refugee claimants.
- FUEL Program Program supporting refugee claimants with settlement services and community integration.
- EarlyON Child and Family Centre Supportive space for families of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities, and configurations and their children (ages 0 to 6) to meet, play, learn, and grow together.
- Glitterbug 2SLGBTQ+ EarlyON Mobile Program Mobile program working with EarlyON Centres across Toronto to promote inclusion and affirmation of gender and sexual diversity.
- Trans ID Clinic Clinic helping trans and gender-diverse individuals obtain identification documents reflecting their gender identity.
- Health Justice Hub One-stop program providing one-time legal supports, low-barrier access to health services, and social justice educational opportunities for 2SLGBTQ+ communities.
- Pacewood Shelter Shelter dedicated to LGBTQ+ adult refugees operated in partnership with Homes First, providing temporary housing and program supports.
- Housing Support Services Services supporting LGBTQ+ individuals with housing needs, including tenant organizing and housing rights education.
- Education and Training Consulting Workshops and consulting services delivering 2SLGBTQ+ inclusion training to workplaces across all sectors, including Pride Speaker Series and the 2SLGBTQ+ Workplace Inclusion Curriculum.
- Space Booking Free, accommodating and non-judgemental space rental for individuals, organizations and non-profit groups to meet, organize and work towards their goals.
- Community Food Programs Food security programs including Sunday Takeaway Meals, Frozen Meals program, and community kitchen initiatives such as Street Eats.
- Trans Youth Mentorship Program (TYMP) Program supporting trans youth through mentorship and engagement opportunities.
- Tax and Benefits Clinic Free tax filing assistance and benefits guidance for 2SLGBTQ+ community members and Downtown East residents.
- Project Unlock Collaboration with Scotiabank supporting LGBTQ+ newcomers in overcoming employment barriers through wellness support and pathway to meaningful employment.
- AIDS Memorial and Vigil Annual candlelight vigil and permanent memorial in Barbara Hall Park honoring people from the community who died of AIDS-related illness.
- Green Space Festival Annual signature fundraising festival celebrating 2SLGBTQ+ communities with performances, parties, and community activations.
- Fabarnak Restaurant Social Enterprise and Catering Social enterprise restaurant and catering service helping people facing employment barriers gain work experience, launched with The 519's 2010 renovation.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 8,000 LGBTQ+ refugees served since January 2023, more than six times the requests received in 2022
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use The 519
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
The 519 technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
The 519 partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
16 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- Rainbow RailroadcoreThe 519 and Rainbow Railroad co-convened the Defend Refugees coalition and jointly launched the Defend Refugees advocacy campaign on June 17, 2026, urging the Canadian federal government to strengthen protections for queer and trans refugees. Both organizations serve LGBTQ+ refugees and have a long-standing partnership in advocacy and service delivery. Karlene Williams-Clarke, Project Director at The 519, also serves on the board of Rainbow Railroad.
- From Borders to Belonging CoalitioncoreThe 519 is part of the From Borders to Belonging Coalition, working with partner organizations on calls to action to better support refugees through the claimant and settlement processes.
- Homes FirstcoreThe 519 partnered with Homes First to open Pacewood, Toronto's first shelter dedicated to LGBTQ+ adult refugees who have arrived through a refugee pathway. The space prioritizes trans, gender-diverse, and non-binary individuals.
- Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (OCASI)majorOCASI is listed as a partner organization in the Army of Lovers March for Refugee Rights 2024, supporting advocacy efforts for LGBTQ+ refugee rights.
- Pride TorontomajorPartner organization in the Army of Lovers March for Refugee Rights 2024 and co-host of Pride events.
- Sojourn House TorontomajorPartner organization serving LGBTQ+ refugees, listed as partner in the Army of Lovers March for Refugee Rights 2024.
- FCJ Refugee CentremajorPartner organization in the refugee rights advocacy coalition, listed as partner in the Army of Lovers March for Refugee Rights 2024.
- Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC) in Migration and IntegrationminorAcademic partner listed as supporting organization in the Army of Lovers March for Refugee Rights 2024.
- Toronto Metropolitan UniversityminorAcademic partner listed as supporting organization in the Army of Lovers March for Refugee Rights 2024.
- Margaret's Housing and Community Support ServicesminorPartner organization in the Army of Lovers March for Refugee Rights 2024.
- Scotiabank (Project Unlock)minorProject Unlock is a collaboration between The 519 and Scotiabank supporting LGBTQ+ newcomers in overcoming employment barriers in Canada. The program promotes wellness and provides a holistic pathway to meaningful employment.
- Sherbourne Health Centre (Health Bus)majorThe Rotary Club of Toronto Health Buses operated by Sherbourne Health Centre deliver mobile on-the-spot nursing care to homeless and under-housed people. The 519 partners with this service to facilitate over 3,000 medical service visits annually.
- Inner City Family Health TeammajorThe 519 partners with Inner City Family Health Team for primary care services and the Street Eats Community Kitchen program hosted at The 519's Kyle Scanlon Community Kitchen.
- Association of Community Centres (AOCCs) NetworkcoreThe 519 is a member of the AOCCs network, which consists of City-owned or City-managed facilities managed by volunteer Boards of Management. Multi-purpose facilities providing public space, programs, and services to meet social and recreation needs of local communities.
- Mennonite New Life Centre of Toronto (MNLCT)minorMaria Martinez, Head of Organizational Services at The 519, serves on the board of the Mennonite New Life Centre of Toronto, indicating an organizational connection and shared mission in newcomer settlement services.
- Queer MomentummajorThe 519 joined Queer Momentum during Rainbow Week of Action (May 11-17) to amplify urgent calls for support for LGBTQ+ refugees, working in coalition for advocacy and action.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves12 records
Expansion highlights5 records
The 519 competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- San Francisco LGBTQ+ Community Center: Long-running LGBTQ+ community center in the Castro offering programs, services, and space rental to local LGBTQ+ communities — most directly comparable to The 519 on community-center operating model and physical-hub orientation.
- Centre communautaire LGBTQ+ de Montréal: Montréal's LGBTQ+ community centre providing services, advocacy, and community space — comparable to The 519 as a Canadian peer of similar mandate and operating model, though operating within Quebec's distinct legal and funding context.
- Center on Halsted: Chicago's LGBTQ+ community center providing a community hub, senior services, youth programs, and cultural programming — a strong comparable on model (community-led non-profit center) and on senior-services focus.
- QMUNITY: Vancouver's LGBTQ+ community centre delivering peer support, training, and community programming — directly comparable as a Canadian LGBTQ+ community centre operating on a similar service-plus-space-plus-leadership framework.
- Rainbow Railroad: Canada-based organization focused specifically on LGBTQ+ refugee resettlement and advocacy. Direct peer in the LGBTQ+ refugee services vertical and one of The 519's closest strategic partners (co-convening the Defend Refugees coalition).
- Los Angeles LGBT Center: One of the largest LGBTQ+ community centers globally, providing a broad portfolio of services spanning healthcare, housing, legal aid, youth programs, and education/training — directly comparable to The 519's Service+Space+Leadership model.
- The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center (The Center): NYC's flagship LGBTQ+ community center, offering programming, services, and gathering space across health, youth, family, arts, and advocacy — the closest analog to The 519 in scale and mandate, though considerably larger in budget and geographic reach.
Emerging players
- Sherbourne Health Centre: Toronto health-services provider focused on LGBTQ+ and under-served populations; operator of the Rotary Club Health Bus and direct The 519 partner for on-site primary care, food programs, and 3,000+ annual medical visits.
- EGALE Canada: National Canadian LGBTQ+ advocacy organization advancing rights through litigation, education, and policy. Adjacent to The 519's leadership/advocacy pillar but operates at the national-policy level rather than as a community centre.
Others
- OCASI (Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants): Provincial umbrella body representing immigrant-serving agencies in Ontario and a direct partner on the Army of Lovers March for Refugee Rights — comparable as a settlement-sector umbrella, but operating as a network rather than a service-delivery organization.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The 519 social profiles
Digital presenceThe 519 financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The 519 leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles20 records
The 519 funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
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The 519 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 519
What does The 519 do?
The 519 is a City of Toronto community centre and registered charity that delivers a three-pillar model of Service, Space, and Leadership for 2SLGBTQ+ communities. It provides more than 60 free or low-cost programs including refugee settlement, legal clinics, trans-specific services, family and children's programs, housing support, community wellness, arts and culture, and workplace inclusion training, all delivered primarily through its physical facility at 519 Church Street and supplemented by mobile, shelter, and virtual channels.
Is The 519 a public or private company?
The 519 is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was The 519 founded?
The 519 was founded in 1976. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is The 519 based?
The 519 is headquartered in Toronto, Canada, in the North America region.
How does The 519 make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. City of Toronto Funding is the primary driver. The others are grants and Donations, program and Space Fees and signature Events.
Who are The 519's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are San Francisco LGBTQ+ Community Center, Centre communautaire LGBTQ+ de Montréal, Center on Halsted, QMUNITY, Rainbow Railroad, Los Angeles LGBT Center and The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center (The Center). Emerging players are Sherbourne Health Centre and EGALE Canada. OCASI (Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants) is listed as an others.
Does The 519 have an API?
No public API is recorded for The 519.