Association for the Rehabilitation of the Brain Injured

What Association for the Rehabilitation of the Brain Injured does

The Association for the Rehabilitation of the Brain Injured (ARBI) is a Calgary, Alberta-based non-profit founded in 1978 that delivers community-based neurorehabilitation, recreation, and wellness services to acquired brain injury (ABI) and stroke survivors and their families. Its core clinical offering spans physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, recreation therapy, and wellness/caregiver support, delivered through an interdisciplinary team paired with trained volunteers — a combined professional-volunteer delivery model described as unique among Canadian nonprofits serving long-term severe ABI. Underlying intellectual property includes the proprietary CAMMRI assessment tool for minimally responsive clients and an activity-based interdisciplinary treatment methodology that prioritizes life-role restoration over impairment remediation; the program is ACDS-accredited.

ARBI's business model is a hybrid of government grants, fee-for-service, and charitable donations. Recurring program funding comes from the Government of Alberta, Alberta Health Services (notably the Calgary Brain Injury Program), and the City of Calgary FCSS, the last of which subsidizes free Wellness Services for Calgary Region residents. Client fees are unit-priced at $70–$180 per 50-minute therapy session and $192–$304 per semester for recreation programs; bursaries cover 50–80% of fees for clients with financial need. Third-party coverage through WCB, private/commercial insurance, First Nation Bands, and military services provides an additional revenue stream, and individual, corporate, and foundation donations (including planned giving and securities) round out funding.

Go-to-market is community- and referral-led, with primary client acquisition through Alberta Health Services referrals, healthcare provider networks, and self-referral. The organization has helped 2,599 people since inception and operates from its Cedar Crescent SW flagship with 11–50 employees supported by a 3,000+ volunteer base contributing 158,797 hours since 2005. Geographic reach is concentrated in the Calgary Region and Southern Alberta, with select virtual programs extending accessibility.

Name

Association for the Rehabilitation of the Brain Injured

Legal name

Association for the Rehabilitation of the Brain Injured

Website

https://arbi.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1978

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ARBI is a Calgary, Alberta-based non-profit founded in 1978 that provides community-based neurorehabilitation, recreation, and wellness services for acquired brain injury and stroke survivors and their families using a unique professional-plus-volunteer delivery model.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Neurorehabilitation Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Other Individual and Family Services (62419), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (62431)

SIC

Services-Home Health Care Services (8082), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYHSABADAE

Neurological Rehabilitation Therapy In-Home (e.g., Stroke, Parkinson’s)

Home & Personal Services/Elder Care & In-Home Care Services/Rehabilitation Therapy (PT/OT/SLP) In-Home

SECONDARYHSABAGAJ

Family Caregiver Relief & Coaching (Respite-Integrated)

Home & Personal Services/Elder Care & In-Home Care Services/Respite Care Services

Keywords

• Neurorehabilitation services
• Brain injury rehabilitation
• Stroke recovery programs
• Community disability services
• Caregiver support programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Calgary

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: ARBI receives funding from the Government of Alberta, Alberta Health Services, and the City of Calgary to deliver various services for individuals with acquired brain injury.
2. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Individual, family, corporate, and foundation donations support ARBI's programs. The organization offers multiple donation methods including Zeffy platform, securities donations, gifts in kind, and planned giving. ARBI accepts donations through SkipTheDepot recycling program.
3. Client Service Fees: Fees for rehabilitation services including initial assessments ($180), ongoing treatment sessions ($70-$120), and recreation programs ($192-$304 per semester). Wellness services are free for Calgary Region residents through FCSS funding.
4. Bursary Program: Bursary funding (Mel Laine Memorial Bursary, Audrey Morrice Memorial Bursary) covers 50-80% of fees based on financial need using Statistics Canada LICO scale, with donors providing the remaining funding gap.
5. Third-Party Insurance and WCB: Services covered through Workers' Compensation Board (WCB), private health insurance, commercial insurance (accident settlements, health/wellness programs), and military service branches.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

ARBI provides community-based neurorehabilitation and family support services for individuals affected by acquired brain injury and stroke in Calgary, Alberta. Its core offering blends registered physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, and recreation therapists with trained volunteers to deliver intensive, personalized rehabilitation, supplemented by recreation programs, wellness services, community living programs, and financial bursaries.

Product overview

ARBI offers a comprehensive suite of rehabilitation and support services for brain injury and stroke survivors through multiple interconnected programs. The core offerings include Rehabilitation Services (neurorehabilitation with physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, and recreation therapy), Recreation Programs (group activities including exercise, cooking, music therapy, and gardening), and Wellness Services (neuropsychology, social work, and caregiver support). Additional programs include ARBI 101 assessment, Community Living & Access Programs, a Bursary Program providing 50-80% financial assistance, a Resource Centre with external referrals, and specialized caregiver support through monthly groups and mindfulness programs. All services operate from their Calgary, Alberta location with support from volunteers and multidisciplinary professionals.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Rehabilitation Services
• Recreation Programs
• Wellness Services
• Community Living & Access Programs (SCL and CAPCC)
• Bursary Program
• ARBI 101
• Resource Centre
• Caregiver Support Group
• Community Connect Program
• Mindfulness for Caregivers Program

Quantifiable outcome

• 2,599 people helped since 1978 (stats from 2005 to March 2025)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Government of AlbertacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary government funder supporting ARBI's services for individuals with acquired brain injury. Funded the 2019 Acquired Brain Injury Study for the Calgary Region.
• Alberta Health ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey healthcare partner providing funding and referrals through the Calgary Brain Injury Program. Collaborates on service delivery and system navigation for ABI survivors.
• JB Music TherapyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJB Music Therapy Inc. provides certified music therapists who lead ARBI's Music Therapy Program on Fridays, offering therapeutic music sessions for emotional well-being and self-expression.
• Alberta Council of Disability Services (ACDS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerACDS provides accreditation for ARBI's rehabilitation program, recognizing the organization's blend of healthcare professionals and volunteers.
• Post-Secondary Educational InstitutionsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerARBI has established partnerships with educational institutions for practicum placements, providing future healthcare professionals with clinical experience in neurorehabilitation settings.
• University of Alberta Aphasia CampminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partnership providing weekend-long aphasia camp retreats for individuals living with aphasia and their family members or friends.
• City of Calgary (Family & Community Support Services)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFCSS program collaboration enables ARBI to provide free Wellness Services for residents in the Calgary Region, supporting caregivers and survivors.
• Max Bell CentreminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity recreation facility where ARBI conducts its Walking Program for clients at various fitness levels.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Lifemark Health Group: National Canadian provider of physiotherapy, rehabilitation, and occupational health services across a broad clinic network. Comparable on rehabilitation modality (PT/OT/SLP) but a broad incumbent rather than a specialized ABI/stroke community organization.
• SE Health: Large Canadian not-for-profit home and community health care organization delivering rehabilitation, nursing, and personal support across multiple provinces. Comparable on nonprofit community-care delivery and rehab therapy offerings, but operates at significantly greater scale and scope than ARBI.
• CBI Health Group: One of Canada's largest community-based healthcare and rehabilitation networks, delivering physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and home health services nationwide. Comparable in clinical disciplines and community-delivery model, but operates as a large for-profit incumbent across multiple therapy categories rather than specializing in ABI/stroke.
• Bayshore HealthCare: Major Canadian home and community health services provider offering nursing, personal care, and rehabilitation therapy in clients' homes. Comparable on the home/community delivery model and neurorehabilitation support, but operates across a much broader clinical portfolio as a for-profit incumbent.

Others

• Toronto Rehabilitation Institute (UHN): One of Canada's largest hospital-based rehabilitation research and care institutions, part of University Health Network. Comparable in neurorehabilitation expertise and research orientation, but operates as a hospital-academic provider rather than a community-based nonprofit, making it an adjacent peer rather than a direct competitor.

Direct peers

• Closing the Gap Healthcare Group: Canadian provider of home and community-based rehabilitation, nursing, and personal support services across Ontario and beyond. Directly comparable community-delivery rehab model serving clients in their homes, though broader in scope than ARBI's ABI/stroke specialization.
• VHA Home HealthCare: Canadian not-for-profit home health care provider offering rehabilitation therapy, personal support, and caregiver respite services. Comparable nonprofit community-rehabilitation model with similar caregiver-support programs, although serving a broader population mix.
• Brain Care Centre: Alberta-based nonprofit offering community-based rehabilitation, education, and support for people affected by brain injury and stroke, with services in Calgary and Edmonton. Strong geographic and service-line overlap with ARBI and the most direct regional peer in the Calgary-area ABI rehabilitation market.
• March of Dimes Canada: National Canadian nonprofit providing community-based rehabilitation and independent-living services for people with physical disabilities, including acquired brain injury survivors. Closely comparable nonprofit model with a focus on post-acute, community-delivered rehabilitation rather than clinic-based acute care.
• Brain Injury Canada: National brain injury organization advancing awareness, education, and support for ABI survivors and families across Canada. Directly comparable in target population and community-support mission, though with a stronger national-advocacy and resource-referral orientation versus ARBI's hands-on therapy delivery.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/arbi_yyc
• Facebookfacebook.com/ARBIyyc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/association-for-the-rehabilitation-of-the-brain-injured-arbi-
• Instagraminstagram.com/arbi_yyc

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Association for the Rehabilitation of the Brain Injured