Back Door Mission

What Back Door Mission does

Back Door Mission is a Canadian charitable non-profit organization headquartered in Oshawa, Ontario, dedicated to addressing food insecurity, poverty, and homelessness within the Durham Region. Originally founded in 1998 as a small outreach program under a host church, the organization formally incorporated as an independent registered charity (#82933 4770 RR0001) in 2014 and has since scaled into a regional service hub. Its core operations revolve around direct aid distribution, including food hampers, meal programs, clothing, hygiene supplies, and seasonal gift-card campaigns, with the 2023 operational footprint encompassing 31,025 visits to its HUB and 56,671+ food-insecurity interactions. The organization does not develop proprietary technology or digital platforms; its delivery model is anchored in in-person service and a large volunteer base that contributed 3,637+ shifts in 2023.

The organization's defining structural asset is the Mission United HUB, launched in April 2020 as a co-located collaborative service center hosting 11+ partner agencies, including CMHA Durham, Lakeridge Health, Pinewood, Ontario Works, and ODSP. This ecosystem model allows beneficiaries to access multiple social, mental-health, and employment services through a single point of entry, generating strong referral stickiness and integrated case management. Back Door Mission employs 11-50 staff, led by Executive Director Nathan Gardner, with operational and financial support delivered through a combination of volunteer labor, in-kind donation drives, and partner-agency secondments.

Back Door Mission's revenue model is characteristic of a community non-profit: it relies on a mix of government grants (most notably a $1.1 million one-time provincial funding commitment received in June 2023), individual and corporate donations, in-kind contributions, and event-based fundraising. Its flagship recurring fundraiser is the annual Professors of Funk Christmas Special, which has cumulatively raised over $100,000 since 2014, including approximately $25,000 raised in 2025. The organization operates within a single geography (Oshawa and Durham Region) and does not appear to pursue digital or geographic expansion beyond this footprint, with growth instead driven by deeper integration with public-sector and health-system partners.

Name

Back Door Mission

Legal name

Back Door Mission for the Relief of Poverty

Website

https://backdoormission.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Back Door Mission is a registered Canadian charity in Oshawa, Ontario that operates the Mission United HUB—a collaborative service center co-locating 11+ partner agencies to deliver food, housing, mental-health, and social-service support to food-insecure and vulnerable residents across the Durham Region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Social Services (Non-Profit)

NAICS

Community Housing Services (62422), Temporary Shelters (624221), Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services (BPAIANAC), Financial Assistance & Benefits Navigation Services (BPAGAEAK)

Keywords

• Homeless services support
• Social services charity
• Food insecurity relief
• Mental health support
• Housing assistance programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Oshawa

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual and Corporate Donations: Charitable donations from individuals, businesses, and community groups, including monthly recurring donations. Donors receive charitable tax receipts (Registration #82933 4770 RR0001).
2. Provincial Government Funding: One-year funding commitment from the Ontario provincial government. Received $1.1 million in June 2023.
3. Event Fundraising: Annual benefit concerts and fundraising events. The Professors of Funk Christmas Special has raised over $100,000 since 2014.
4. Gift Card and In-Kind Donations: Gift cards from retailers (Costco, Walmart, No Frills) and in-kind donations of food, clothing, and supplies.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Back Door Mission facilitates Mission United, a collaborative social and health services hub providing in-the-moment, wrap-around support services to individuals in Durham Region experiencing homelessness, housing insecurity, mental health and addiction concerns, and food access challenges. Through a singular access point and a partnership model with 11+ agencies, the organization delivers free services including meals, food pantry, medical care, addiction counselling, housing/shelter referrals, harm reduction, mental health supports, peer support, and income assistance.

Product overview

Back Door Mission for the Relief of Poverty is a non-profit social services organization that operates primarily through its core initiative, Mission United, a collaborative social and health services hub. The organization provides a comprehensive suite of wrap-around services including the Lunch Program, Food Pantry, Safe Sleep Area, Medical Clinic, Addiction Counselling Supports, Housing Supports & Shelter Referral, Mental Health Supports, Harm Reduction and Supplies, Peer Support and Outreach, Financial and Social Assistance, and Community Programs. These services are designed to support individuals experiencing homelessness, poverty, and marginalization in Oshawa and Durham Region, offering both immediate necessities and longer-term stabilization supports through a low-barrier, person-centred approach.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Mission United: A collaborative social and health services hub providing in-the-moment, wrap-around support services to individuals in Durham Region dealing with homelessness, housing insecurity, mental health and addiction concerns, and food access challenges.

Products and services

• Mission United A collaborative social and health services hub providing in-the-moment, wrap-around support services to individuals in Durham Region experiencing homelessness, housing insecurity, mental health and addiction concerns, and food access challenges; operationalized through a singular access point at 66 Simcoe Street South.
• Lunch Program Fresh meals served indoors on weekdays (Monday-Friday, 10am-1pm) to individuals experiencing food insecurity in Durham Region.
• Food Pantry
• Safe Sleep Area
• Medical Clinic
• Addiction Counselling Supports
• Housing Supports & Shelter Referral
• Mental Health Supports
• Harm Reduction and Supplies
• Peer Support and Outreach
• Financial and Social Assistance
• Community Programs
• Washrooms and Showers

Quantifiable outcome

• 31,025 visits to the HUB in 2023
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 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 core and minor.

• Canadian Mental Health Association DurhamcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 April 2020Mission United partner providing mental health crisis support and referrals to community resources. Services available Monday-Friday 10am-3pm as part of the collaborative hub model.
• Lakeridge Health - Durham Mental Health ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 April 2020Partner managing the daytime safe sleep area in the chapel with eight cots. Provides mental health supports and housing help for unsheltered individuals.
• Pinewood Addiction ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 April 2020Onsite addiction counselling and anti-withdrawal medications available Monday and Thursday 10am-12pm as part of Mission United.
• Ontario WorkscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 April 2020Onsite financial and social assistance MWF 10am-3pm including benefits questions, file updates, applications for financial income, referrals, and case management.
• Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 April 2020Onsite ODSP services available TTH 10am-3pm for individuals with disabilities requiring additional support.
• Primary Care Outreach Program (PCOP) - Durham RegioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 April 2020Outreach services in Durham Region 8am-4pm Monday to Friday in collaboration with Mission United. Provides community-based primary care access.
• Community Development Council DurhamcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 April 2020Mission United partner providing community development and social planning support services.
• John Howard Society of Durham RegioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 April 2020Harm reduction and supplies services available Monday & Friday 10am-3pm as part of the collaborative service model.
• Community Care DurhamcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 April 2020Harm reduction and supplies services available Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 10am-3pm.
• Durham Community Health CentrecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 April 2020Healthcare partner providing medical clinic services 10am-3pm with doctor and nurse practitioner for physical and mental health concerns.
• Brain Injury Association of Durham RegioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 April 2020Mission United partner providing specialized support for individuals with brain injuries who are experiencing homelessness or poverty.
• Amazon Wish ListminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAmazon.ca wish list for donors to purchase and ship needed items including non-perishables, toiletries, and clothing.
• FlipGiveminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGift card purchase platform enabling supporters to buy gift cards that are then donated to the mission.
• No Frills (Simcoe & Beatrice, Oshawa)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRetail donation drop-off location with a cart just inside the store exit for non-perishable food donations.
• Simcoe Street United ChurchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding faith community and ongoing supporter. Back Door Mission originated as an outreach program of the church in 1998 and continues to operate from their facility at 66 Simcoe St S. The mission remains an affiliate of the United Church of Canada.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• Fred Victor: Toronto social services charitable organization focused on homelessness, housing, mental health, and poverty reduction with co-located multi-service programs. Directly comparable integrated service hub model.
• Union Gospel Mission: Christian-affiliated charitable organization providing meals, shelter, addiction recovery, and outreach programs to people experiencing homelessness. Comparable faith-based roots and integrated service approach.
• Yonge Street Mission: Toronto-based Christian-affiliated charity providing wrap-around supports (meals, housing, youth and family programs) to people experiencing poverty and homelessness. Highly comparable operating model, urban Ontario footprint, and faith-community roots.
• Good Shepherd Centres: Hamilton-based charitable organization operating emergency shelters, housing, food programs, and health/harm reduction services. Comparable comprehensive social services portfolio across Southern Ontario.
• Scott Mission: Toronto-based charity offering food, clothing, shelter, and community programs to people experiencing homelessness and poverty. Comparable faith-affiliated governance, service mix, and reliance on donations plus government grants.
• St. Felix Centre: Toronto-based charity offering food, shelter, clothing, and drop-in services to people experiencing homelessness, poverty, and mental health challenges. Comparable low-barrier drop-in model and urban Ontario geography.
• The Mustard Seed: Calgary-based charity providing shelter, meals, housing, and community support for people experiencing homelessness and poverty. Comparable operating model at a similar organizational scale.

Broad incumbents

• Salvation Army Canada: National faith-based charitable organization providing shelter, food, addiction recovery, and community services across Canada. Far larger scale but directly overlapping service categories and funding model.

Others

• Community Development Council Durham: Durham Region social planning and community development organization that is also a Mission United partner. Comparable regional footprint and adjacent mandate (housing stability, benefits navigation, community planning).

Regional players

• A Woman's Place (Durham Region): Durham Region-based shelter and support services for women and children fleeing abuse. Directly comparable regional geography and social services mandate with overlapping referral pathways.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/BackDoorMission
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/back-door-mission
• Instagraminstagram.com/backdoormission

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Back Door Mission