Dorothy Ley Hospice

What Dorothy Ley Hospice does

Dorothy Ley Hospice is a registered nonprofit charitable organization (charitable registration 130193394RR0001) founded in 1989 and headquartered at 220 Sherway Drive, Etobicoke, Ontario. It is one of Ontario's oldest hospices and delivers hospice palliative care to individuals and families in the Greater Toronto Area, specifically Etobicoke, West Toronto, and parts of Mississauga. The organization operates an interdisciplinary model combining physicians, nurses, social workers, spiritual care providers, and over 200 volunteers to deliver care along the full illness journey — from community palliative care in the home, through outpatient symptom management at the Community Palliative Care Clinic, to end-of-life residential care in a 12-suite hospice residence, plus grief and bereavement programming open to the wider community. All services are provided at no cost to clients.

The business model is a hybrid of government funding and philanthropic support. Ontario Ministry of Health funding (gated by CARF accreditation, most recently renewed for a three-year term in 2025) covers roughly half of operating costs, while donations — including monthly giving, legacy gifts, memorial donations, the Doves of Remembrance Wall, corporate partnerships, and community fundraising events such as the annual Jack Cooper Hike for Hospice and the TCS Waterfront Marathon charity partnership — cover nearly 50%. There is no proprietary technology platform; service delivery relies on conventional channels (referral pathways, in-person care, online forms, an event-driven community fundraising motion, and a digital content footprint for grief resources). In FY2024-2025 the hospice reported 3,082 people impacted, 1,425 individuals receiving in-home support, and a 98% satisfaction rate with grief and bereavement services.

Strategically, the organization is executing a 2023-2028 Strategic Plan focused on capacity and funding diversification, completed a multi-phase Residence Revitalization Project (Phase 1 in spring 2024, Phase 2 in fall 2025 supported by an Ontario Trillium Foundation grant), and is expanding upstream palliative care through the Community Palliative Care Clinic. Leadership includes Executive Director Dipti Purbhoo, Medical Director Dr. Louie Mavrogiannis (University of Toronto-affiliated), Director of Research and Quality Improvement Dr. Chris Gilchrist, and Board Chair Donna Cansfield.

Name

Dorothy Ley Hospice

Legal name

Dorothy Ley Hospice

Website

https://dlhospice.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Dorothy Ley Hospice is a registered nonprofit, CARF-accredited hospice in Etobicoke, Ontario, founded in 1989, providing free palliative care, residential end-of-life care, and grief support to individuals and families across the Greater Toronto Area. Services are funded by Ontario Ministry of Health grants and donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Hospice and Palliative Care Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Assisted Living Facilities for the Elderly (623312)

SIC

Services-Home Health Care Services (8082), Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Home Hospice Agencies (HLAFAEAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Home Hospice (Routine Home Care) (HLADAHAA), Hospice Care in Assisted Living / Residential Care Facilities (HLADAHAE), Bereavement, Grief & Family Support Services (Hospice-Linked) (HLAFAEAO), Community-Based Palliative Care (Home-Based Non-Hospice) (HLADAHAH), Palliative Care, Hospice & Serious Illness Support (BPAGACAK)

Keywords

• Hospice palliative care
• Grief bereavement support
• End-of-life care services
• Residential hospice care
• Community palliative medicine

Headquarters

HQ city

Etobicoke

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Donor contributions and fundraising: Dorothy Ley Hospice relies on donors to cover nearly 50% of its annual operating costs. The hospice receives donations through monthly giving (Circle of Care program), one-time donations, memorial donations, legacy giving (bequests, life insurance), securities donations, corporate giving/sponsorship, and community fundraising events.
2. Government funding: The hospice receives funding from the Ministry of Health. CARF accreditation is a requirement for government funding. Strategic plan 2023-2028 outlines goals for strengthening and sustaining capacity through diversified funding sources.
3. Specialty memorial donations: The Doves of Remembrance Wall offers commemorative dove plaques for $1,000 each, providing a memorial tribute option while supporting hospice operations.
4. Corporate partnerships and vehicle donations: Corporate giving programs include matching gifts, volunteer grants, community grants, and sponsorship. Car donations are accepted through Donate a Car Canada partner.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Dorothy Ley Hospice provides free hospice palliative care services to individuals living with serious illness, families, caregivers, and those experiencing grief and loss. Care is delivered through an interdisciplinary team of physicians, nurses, social workers, and 200+ volunteers across in-home community palliative care, a 12-suite residential hospice in Etobicoke, a Community Palliative Care Clinic, structured grief and bereavement programs, family/caregiver support, day programs, and wellness therapies.

Product overview

Dorothy Ley Hospice is a palliative care organization offering a comprehensive suite of services for individuals and families facing serious illness, end of life, and grief. The organization provides community-based palliative care (in-home services, Community Palliative Care Clinic), residential hospice care (12-bed residence), and grief and bereavement support programs. Services include care navigation, counselling, wellness therapies, day programs, and volunteer-powered hospitality. All services are provided at no cost to clients and are delivered through an interdisciplinary team of physicians, nurses, social workers, and trained volunteers. The hospice serves the Etobicoke, West Toronto, and Mississauga communities in Ontario.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Community Palliative Care In-home palliative care services for individuals with serious illness across Mississauga, Etobicoke, and parts of Toronto. Includes care navigation, counselling, care planning, caregiver support, and visits by an interdisciplinary team of physicians, nurses, and care coordinators.
• Residential Hospice Care Twelve-suite hospice residence in Etobicoke providing 24/7 care in a home-like setting for individuals at end of life. Includes private suites with amenities, family accommodations, and access to wellness services.
• Grief and Bereavement Support Program Comprehensive grief support including grief education, short-term grief counselling, grief support groups, wellness services, and peer companion support for individuals grieving the death of someone important to them.
• Community Palliative Care Clinic Outpatient clinic providing symptom management and consultation for individuals who are not yet eligible for hospice, who live independently at home, and who can attend clinic appointments.
• Family and Caregiver Support Services Services designed to help families and caregivers cope with emotional, psychological, social, spiritual, and practical challenges of caring for someone with a serious illness, including respite.
• DLH Bereavement Program Range of bereavement supports including grief education, short-term counselling, support groups, wellness services, and peer companion support available to anyone in the community.
• Day Program Day program for individuals living with illness providing activities, social connection, and weekly respite for caregivers.
• Wellness Services Therapies and wellness programming including guided meditation recordings (5-minute, 11-minute, and 30-minute body scan meditations), in-room and on-site therapies designed to support rest, relaxation, and emotional well-being for residents, families, and caregivers.

Quantifiable outcome

• 98% satisfaction rate with Grief and Bereavement services
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 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

15 partnerships are on record, tiered major and minor.

• de Souza Institute (UHN and Cancer Care Ontario partnership)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2008In 2008, Ivan de Souza championed creation of the de Souza Institute in partnership with UHN and Cancer Care Ontario, securing $15 million in funding from Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. Dr. Mary Jane Esplen was recruited to establish the education centre dedicated to elevating cancer and palliative care. Dorothy Ley Hospice nurses Marlisa and Sarah were trained through this Institute.
• Green Cities FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGreen Cities Foundation volunteers helped plant many of the new garden additions during the outdoor revitalization project, contributing their care and enthusiasm to bring the revitalized space to life.
• Canadian Trees for LifeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvided an engraved stone generously donated for a memorial tree planted in memory of Jennie Cansfield, daughter of the Board Chair, as a lasting tribute.
• Landscape Ontario (Toronto Chapter)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLandscape Ontario (Toronto Chapter) and many of their Board members donated their own time to the outdoor revitalization project.
• Markland Wood Golf & Country ClubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMarkland Wood Golf & Country Club and its members and team captains supported the outdoor revitalization project.
• Arbor MemorialmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerTitle Sponsor of the 2026 Jack Cooper Hike for Hospice, supporting the annual fundraising event.
• CareHopminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSupporting Sponsor of the 2026 Jack Cooper Hike for Hospice.
• Spectrum HCFminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSupporting Sponsor of the 2026 Jack Cooper Hike for Hospice.
• MedigasminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSupporting Sponsor of the 2026 Jack Cooper Hike for Hospice.
• Hull and HullminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSupporting Sponsor of the 2026 Jack Cooper Hike for Hospice.
• Hull and HullminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSupporting Sponsor of the 2026 Jack Cooper Hike for Hospice.
• AGR MedicalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSupporting Sponsor of the 2026 Jack Cooper Hike for Hospice.
• Ingraldi InsuranceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSupporting Sponsor of the 2026 Jack Cooper Hike for Hospice.
• TCS Waterfront MarathonminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDorothy Ley Hospice is a charity partner for the TCS Waterfront Marathon. Runners can choose to support the hospice as their charity of choice when registering for the 5km, half marathon, or full marathon events.
• Donate a Car CanadaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDonate a Car Canada accepts vehicle donations on behalf of Dorothy Ley Hospice. They arrange pickup, sale, and donation of proceeds to the hospice. There is no cost to the donor, and donors receive a tax receipt.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Bayshore Healthcare: One of Canada's largest home and community health services providers, including palliative home care. Comparable in delivering home-based palliative services across Ontario, though at significantly larger commercial scale.
• Spectrum Health Care: A Canadian home health provider offering personal support, nursing, and palliative services. Comparable in providing in-home palliative care in the GTA, though it operates as a broader commercial healthcare services company.
• VON Canada (Victorian Order of Nurses): A large national home and community health provider offering palliative and home health services across Canada. Comparable in delivering home-based palliative care, though at much larger scale and broader scope.
• Pallium Canada: A national nonprofit focused on building palliative care capacity through education and resources. Comparable in mission and Canadian hospice/palliative care ecosystem positioning, though focused on capacity-building rather than direct service.

Others

• Arbor Memorial: Canada's largest funeral services provider, which is a title sponsor of Dorothy Ley Hospice's Hike for Hospice. Adjacent to hospice services through end-of-life care continuum and community partnerships.
• Palliative Care Ontario: A provincial association representing hospice and palliative care providers across Ontario. Comparable ecosystem player providing advocacy, education, and network support to member hospices including Dorothy Ley Hospice.

Direct peers

• Kensington Hospice: A Toronto-based residential hospice with a small in-residence capacity and free-of-charge services funded by donations and government. Directly comparable to Dorothy Ley Hospice in service model, scale, and GTA focus.
• Casey House: A Toronto-based specialty hospice and hospital for people living with HIV/AIDS. Comparable as a GTA-based nonprofit hospice providing inpatient and community palliative care, though focused on a specific patient population.
• Hospice Toronto: Toronto-based hospice providing in-home palliative care, grief and bereavement support, and volunteer-driven services. Shares Dorothy Ley Hospice's nonprofit funding model and GTA service area.
• The Carpenter Hospice: A community hospice in Burlington, Ontario offering residential hospice care, community palliative care, and bereavement support. Comparable in service mix, donor-funded model, and Ontario regional positioning.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@thedorothyleyhospice
• Facebookfacebook.com/thedorothyleyhospice
• Instagraminstagram.com/thedorothyleyhospice/?hl=en
• Xx.com/dlhospice

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 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 Dorothy Ley Hospice