Ecosource

What Ecosource does

Ecosource is a registered Canadian charity (#11924 5645 RR0001) founded in 1979 and headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, delivering hands-on environmental education across Peel Region. Its portfolio spans seven core program lines: the Community Climate Hub (a flagship multi-use facility opened in 2024 with a commercial teaching kitchen, outdoor classroom, and community garden), Summer Camp for children aged 6-11, Urban Agriculture and Gardening across 13 community garden sites, Waste Education delivered to PDSB and DPCDSB schools, Youth Action through the Peel Environmental Youth Alliance (PEYA) with 27 Executive Committee members, Corporate Team Engagement experiences, and the Advanced Teacher Training program co-developed with York University's Faculty of Urban and Environmental Change.

The organization operates on a hybrid revenue model typical of established community charities. The bulk of operating funding comes from institutional grants and donations across a diversified funder base (Ontario Trillium Foundation, TD Friends of the Environment Foundation, United Way Greater Toronto, City of Mississauga, Region of Peel, Government of Canada, Government of Ontario, Novo Nordisk Network for Healthy Populations, and others), supplemented by a small but strategic earned-revenue line consisting of corporate team building sessions ($1,500-$1,800 per session), affordable summer camp fees ($260-$315 per week with subsidies available), and a nominal teacher training administrative fee ($20). Annual reach exceeds 24,500 participants and volunteers, with 1,900+ residents served through local food programs, 400+ educational sessions hosted, and over 12,000 lbs of fresh produce donated to food banks annually.

Ecosource's go-to-market is community-led and event-driven, anchored by long-term municipal partnerships (managing Mississauga's Community Garden Program since 2006 and delivering the Region of Peel's Waste Education programs) and a nine-member Board of Directors providing strategic oversight. Customers and beneficiaries span children aged 6-11, high school youth (PEYA, grades 9-12), older adults (Field to Fork), corporate teams (BASF Canada, TJX, Haleon Canada), elementary schools across three municipalities, and educators, with the 2024-27 Strategic Plan explicitly targeting deepened climate action leadership and reconciliation as forward priorities.

Name

Ecosource

Legal name

Ecosource

Website

https://ecosource.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1979

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Ecosource is a Canadian environmental education charity founded in 1979, delivering hands-on programming in urban agriculture, waste education, youth leadership, and community climate action across Peel Region to over 24,500 residents and corporate clients annually.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Education Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Environmental Education & Outreach (BPAGAGAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems (BPAGAGAI), Environmental Education, Capacity Building & Community Engagement (BPADALAO), Sustainability Engagement, Training & Behavior Change Programs (On-site) (BPABALAK)

Keywords

• Environmental education
• Community gardening
• Waste education
• Urban agriculture
• Youth leadership programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Mississauga

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: As a registered Canadian charity (#11924 5645 RR0001), Ecosource receives tax-deductible donations from individuals and organizations. The organization also has a donation page and explicitly solicits donations to support their work.
2. Government and Foundation Grants: Ecosource receives funding from multiple government sources (City of Mississauga, Region of Peel, Government of Ontario, Government of Canada, Employment and Social Development Canada, Service Canada) and foundations including Ontario Trillium Foundation, TD Friends of the Environment Foundation, United Way Greater Toronto, Toronto & Region Conservation Authority, and others.
3. Corporate Team Building Programs: Ecosource offers paid corporate team building experiences including 'Grow Local Food' at $1,500 per 3-hour session and 'Cook & Eat Together' at $1,800 per session. These programs serve corporate clients seeking team building activities with community impact.
4. Summer Camp Registration Fees: Summer camp fees are $315 per child for 5-day weeks and $260 for 4-day weeks, with a 10% discount for siblings or multiple weeks. Registration for Summer 2026 is open with all weeks currently full.
5. Advanced Teacher Training Fees: A $20 administrative fee is charged for the Advanced Teacher Training program covering six modules. Subsidies are available upon request.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Ecosource is an environmental charity that delivers hands-on environmental education programs across Peel Region, including summer camps for children, school waste education workshops, urban agriculture and community gardening, corporate team building experiences, youth leadership initiatives, and professional development for educators. The organization operates from the Community Climate Hub and Iceland Teaching Garden, coordinating 13 community garden sites and engaging over 24,500 participants and volunteers annually.

Product overview

Ecosource is an innovative environmental charity offering a portfolio of hands-on environmental education programs. The organization operates primarily through its Community Climate Hub as a central facility, supplemented by the Iceland Teaching Garden as a flagship outdoor education site. Core programs include Summer Camp for children, Urban Agriculture & Gardening with 13 community garden sites, Waste Education for schools, Corporate Team Engagement activities, Youth Action initiatives including PEYA, and Advanced Teacher Training. Additional offerings include Field to Fork for seniors, Nature Wonders for young children, Youth Field Trips, Mobile Gardening Workshops, and Waste Workshops. Programs focus on waste reduction, urban agriculture, sustainability education, nature connection, and youth leadership across Peel Region.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Peel Environmental Youth Alliance (PEYA): A youth alliance engaging youth and adults across Peel Region in creative and engaging ways to promote climate action through hands-on, educational programming. PEYA is comprised of 27 Executive Committee members from grades 9 through 12 and organizes large-scale events including the annual EcoBuzz Conference and Amazing Green Race.

Products and services

• Community Climate Hub Flagship facility in central Mississauga offering an accessible multipurpose space with commercial teaching kitchen, outdoor classroom, community garden, dedicated youth area, and meeting rooms for sustainability education and community programming.
• Ecosource Summer Camp Environmental summer camp for children ages 6-11 providing positive nature experiences through hands-on environmental learning, cooking, gardening, and outdoor play at the Community Climate Hub. Priced at $315 per 5-day week or $260 per 4-day week with 10% sibling/multi-week discount.
• Urban Agriculture & Gardening Community gardening and urban agriculture programming including coordination of 13 food-growing sites across Mississauga and Brampton, free public gardening workshops, capacity-building support, and advocacy aligned with local food policies.
• Waste Education Region of Peel's Waste Education programs delivered to schools across Mississauga, Brampton, and Caledon, featuring interactive workshops and in-class study to foster waste reduction practices and environmental awareness. Approved by both PDSB and DPCDSB.
• Corporate Team Engagement Paid corporate team building experiences including 'Grow Local Food' outdoor gardening activities ($1,500 per 3-hour session for up to 30 participants) and 'Cook & Eat Together' hands-on cooking classes ($1,800 per session for up to 25 participants), both supporting local food banks.
• Youth Action Youth empowerment programs including the Peel Environmental Youth Alliance (PEYA) with 27 Executive Committee members, youth-led environmental initiatives, large-scale youth events (EcoBuzz Conference, Amazing Green Race), and community resources created by youth for youth.
• Advanced Teacher Training Professional development program for educators delivered in partnership with York University, covering sustainability education, environmental justice, and climate action through six interactive modules. Priced at $20 administrative fee with subsidies available; certificate of completion co-issued by Ecosource and York University.
• Iceland Teaching Garden 15,000 sq. ft. flagship urban agriculture site on public land offering drop-in youth workshops, educational sessions for community and school groups (free for grades 7-12), and volunteer opportunities with thousands of pounds of produce donated to food banks annually.
• Field to Fork Cooking and gardening program for older adults emphasizing locally sourced ingredients, offered at the Community Climate Hub and funded by the Government of Ontario through the Seniors Community Grant.
• Nature Wonders Weekly drop-in program for children ages 0-5 and their caregivers encouraging nature connection and outdoor play, offered in collaboration with Dixie Bloor Neighbourhood Center's EarlyON Program.
• Youth Field Trips Free field trips to the Iceland Teaching Garden supporting youth connection to nature, available for grades 7-12, post-secondary institutions, and community organizations serving youth.
• Mobile Urban Agriculture & Gardening Workshops Free educational workshops at various locations across Peel Region providing hands-on, accessible training in gardening skills for community members.
• Waste Workshops Interactive curriculum-connected waste education workshops for grades 1-8 across Peel Region, covering topics from 3Rs and composting to electronics lifecycle and consumerism.

Quantifiable outcome

• 12,000+ lbs of fresh produce grown and donated to local food banks annually
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.

• City of MississaugacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing municipal partner managing Mississauga's Community Garden Program since 2006. Recipient of City of Mississauga Multi-Year Community Grant for Learn to Grow Mississauga program. Also receives funding through Canada Summer Jobs.
• Region of PeelcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCore partner for which Ecosource delivers Waste Education programs to schools across Mississauga, Brampton, and Caledon. Also receives Food Security Fund support for Growing Food Access and Community Capacity project.
• York UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner for Advanced Teacher Training program. York University's Faculty of Urban and Environmental Change co-delivers the program and provides certificates of completion. Faculty members present modules on Indigenous perspectives and gardening for curriculum.
• Toronto and Region Conservation AuthoritysecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner presenting Module 3 of Advanced Teacher Training program (Nature-Based Learning and Environmental Inquiry) at Claireville Conservation Area. Also collaborates on Youth Rain Action Project.
• Green Communities CanadasecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational organization for which Britt McKee serves as board member. Ecosource participates as member organization in this environmental charity network.
• Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School BoardsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerEcosource is an approved Program Provider for DPCDSB schools. Their waste education workshops are listed as approved by the board.
• Dixie Bloor Neighbourhood CentresecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborates with Dixie Bloor Neighbourhood Center's EarlyON Program to deliver Nature Wonders - a weekly drop-in program for children 0-5 years old and their caregivers.
• The Riverwood ConservancysecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner presenting Module 5 of Advanced Teacher Training program (Pollinators and Habitats: Building Biodiversity in School Communities) at The Riverwood Conservancy site.
• Learning for a Sustainable FuturesecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit organization presenting Module 4 of Advanced Teacher Training program (Climate Change Education Across the Curriculum) via virtual session.
• Good Food Organization NetworksecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerEcosource is part of this national network of community food organizations dedicated to ending food insecurity, coordinated by Community Food Centres Canada.
• Peel Food ChartersecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerEcosource actively participates in shaping local food policies and programs including the Peel Food Charter (2017) and City of Mississauga's Urban Agriculture Strategy (2022).
• Peel-Halton Nature CollaborativesecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerEcosource serves as co-chair of this collaborative working to increase opportunities for children and families to engage with the outdoors in Peel and Halton regions.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Earth Day Canada: National environmental charity running large-scale environmental campaigns, environmental education, and waste programs (including Mobile Education programs and waste audit services). Comparable in waste education and educator training scope.
• Green Communities Canada: National umbrella network of environmental organizations in Canada focused on community sustainability, including community gardens and school programs. Ecosource is a member organization and the ED sits on its board.
• Nature Conservancy of Canada: Canada's largest land conservation organization with nature education and youth stewardship programs. Comparable in mission scope (environmental stewardship, education, conservation) though operating at a national scale.
• WWF-Canada: Major national environmental organization running youth, education, and community engagement programs (e.g., CN Tower Climb, Earth Hour). Comparable in running school/community education at scale but operating nationally rather than hyper-locally.

Direct peers

• Evergreen: Toronto-based environmental charity operating Evergreen Brick Works, delivering nature connection programs, urban agriculture, and youth climate leadership in the GTA. Closely comparable to Ecosource in programmatic mix and GTA geography.
• Not Far From the Tree: Toronto-based charity that organizes volunteer fruit harvesting from urban trees and food redistribution. Comparable in the urban food/gleaning and volunteer-driven community food model, and a prior volunteer placement for Ecosource staff.
• FoodShare Toronto: Toronto nonprofit focused on food justice, urban agriculture, and food literacy education through schools and community programs. Highly comparable in the urban agriculture, food access, and school-based education overlap with Ecosource.
• Learning for a Sustainable Future: Canadian nonprofit focused on integrating sustainability education into schools, training educators and delivering curriculum resources. Ecosource partners with LSF on the Climate Change Education module of its Advanced Teacher Training.
• The Riverwood Conservancy: Mississauga-based conservation organization delivering nature-based education programs, school field trips, and community events. Directly comparable on geography and education programming—Ecosource partners with them on the Advanced Teacher Training biodiversity module.

Regional players

• Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA): Regional conservation authority delivering environmental education, school programs, and nature-based learning across the GTA including Peel-adjacent areas. Ecosource already partners with TRCA on the Advanced Teacher Training program.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/EcosourceGreen
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCH6znVn4QSjr5XY8LLbPP9w/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/EcosourceGreen
• Instagraminstagram.com/ecosourcegreen
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ecosource-charitable-organization

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles22 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 Ecosource