Grande Spirit Foundation

What Grande Spirit Foundation does

Grande Spirit Foundation is a non-profit affordable housing organization established in 1960 and headquartered in Grande Prairie, Alberta. It operates two integrated service lines across the Peace Region of Northern Rural Alberta: a Senior Housing continuum spanning senior independent living, senior enhanced apartments, senior lodges, and Continuing Care Type B (including dementia-specific support); and a Family Housing portfolio comprising Affordable Housing (rent at least 10% below market), Direct Rentals (rent at 30% of household income), the Rental Assistance Benefit (RAB, up to $500/month subsidy), and the Temporary Rental Assistance Benefit (TRAB). The foundation is governed by a Board of Directors with representatives appointed annually from 12 member municipalities, and its operations are funded through a combination of rental income, federal and provincial grants (CMHC, National Housing Strategy Affordable Housing Fund, Government of Alberta), and community donations channeled through the Friends of the Foundation program (active since 2001, having funded over $500,000 in projects). It has served approximately 2,000 families across its history and maintains a waitlist of roughly 800 applicants.

The core operating model is subsidized real estate provision rather than technology development; there are no proprietary technology platforms, APIs, or AI components — the technology field is explicitly marked "Not applicable." Recent capital expansion has been executed through a Private-Public-Partnership (P3) procurement model, exemplified by the Smith Apartment joint venture with BA Leasing Inc. (a 160-unit Grande Prairie development, 30% affordable housing, expected 2026 completion), and through multi-municipality funding consortiums such as the one supporting the 26-unit Spirit River seniors apartment opened in June 2025. The foundation's go-to-market is community-led: direct application via website, walk-in to the Grande Prairie headquarters, partnerships with member municipalities, and outreach via Facebook (Friends of Grande Spirit Foundation) and community events. Revenue is non-disclosed; pricing is income-based and tightly regulated, with recurring monthly billing across all housing and subsidy programs.

Name

Grande Spirit Foundation

Legal name

Grande Spirit Foundation

Website

https://grandespirit.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1960

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Grande Spirit Foundation is a non-profit affordable housing organization founded in 1960, serving seniors and low-income families across Northern Rural Alberta through subsidized senior care facilities (independent living through Continuing Care Type B) and family rental assistance programs, governed by 12 member municipalities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Affordable Housing Services

NAICS

Continuing Care Retirement Communities and Assisted Living Facilities for the Elderly (62331), Residential Property Managers (531311), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120)

SIC

Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050), Real Estate Agents & Managers (For Others) (6531)

akta.pro primary industry

Faith-Based / Nonprofit Assisted Living Providers (HLADABAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Independent Living Real Estate Owners/Operators (REITs & Management Companies) (HLADAAAG), Nonprofit / Faith-Based CCRCs (HLADAEAC), Affordable Rental & Multifamily Housing Finance Programs (LIHTC/Tax Credits/Subsidized Loans) (FSALAKAF)

Keywords

• Affordable housing services
• Senior housing solutions
• Subsidized rental programs
• Continuing care facilities
• Nonprofit housing foundation

Headquarters

HQ city

Grande Prairie

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Rental Income: Revenue from affordable housing rentals where rent is set below market rates (at least 10% below market) or calculated as 30% of household income for Direct Rentals program.
2. Government Funding and Grants: Funding from government programs including Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), National Housing Strategy Affordable Housing Fund, and provincial programs.
3. Donations and Fundraising: Donations from community members, Friends of the Foundation fundraising efforts, and corporate sponsors. Friends of Foundation has funded projects valued at over $500,000.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Grande Spirit Foundation operates a portfolio of affordable housing and senior care services across Northern Rural Alberta, including senior independent living, enhanced apartments, lodges, continuing care Type B, affordable rental units, direct rentals, and rental subsidy programs. The organization manages physical housing facilities and applies income-based pricing, with rents set at least 10% below market rates or calculated as 30% of household income. It is currently expanding its portfolio through new developments including Pleasant View Lodge, Pleasant View Apartments, The Smith Apartments, and Clairmont Apartments.

Product overview

Grande Spirit Foundation operates as a non-profit housing organization providing a portfolio of housing solutions for seniors and low-income families across Northern Rural Alberta. The organization offers two primary service lines: Senior Housing (Senior Independent Living, Senior Enhanced Apartments, Senior Lodges, and Continuing Care Type B) providing varying levels of independence and care; and Family Housing (Affordable Housing, Rental Assistance Benefit, Temporary Rental Assistance Benefit, and Direct Rentals) offering financial support and affordable rental options. Currently under development are The Smith Apartments (160 units in Grande Prairie) and Clairmont Apartments, alongside recently opened Pleasant View Lodge (90 spaces in Spirit River) and Pleasant View Apartments (26-unit seniors building). The organization leverages P3 (Private-Public-Partnership) procurement models for major capital projects.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Friends of the Foundation: A volunteer and donation program established in 2001 that enriches residents' well-being through donations, grants, and fundraising efforts. Has funded over $500,000 in projects since inception.

Products and services

• Senior Independent Living Safe, affordable housing for seniors aged 65+ who can live independently. Offers bachelor and one-bedroom units with essential utilities, game and meeting rooms, and affordable rent.
• Senior Enhanced Apartments Apartments offering a blend of independence and supportive care with one meal daily and access to social and recreational activities for seniors seeking additional assistance.
• Senior Lodges Lodge accommodations for seniors requiring limited supportive care, offering planned activities, meals, and 24/7 emergency care access.
• Continuing Care Type B Secure, comprehensive care facilities for seniors needing tailored care including dementia-specific support, specialized diets, and age-in-place services.
• Affordable Housing Program Managed apartment units from bachelor to three-bedroom options including 25 wheelchair-accessible units, with rent set at least 10% below market rates.
• Rental Assistance Benefit (RAB) Provincial program helping families afford private rental housing by calculating rent as 30% of household income with maximum monthly subsidy of $500 paid directly to tenants.
• Temporary Rental Assistance Benefit (TRAB) Short-term financial support for low-income working households during transitional periods, offering flat-rate subsidy determined by Government of Alberta.
• Direct Rentals Affordable housing in publicly owned apartments, duplexes, and single-family homes ranging from one to three bedrooms with rent calculated as 30% of household income.
• The Smith Apartments 160-unit development in Grande Prairie's Smith subdivision with 30% affordable housing and remaining market-level rentals. Features accessible units, underground parking, and in-suite laundry. P3 procurement model with completion planned for 2026.
• Clairmont Apartments Coming soon affordable housing development in Clairmont, Alberta featuring modern apartment-style living designed to address local housing needs.
• Pleasant View Apartments New 26-unit seniors apartment in Spirit River providing safe, modern and affordable housing for seniors in the Peace Region.
• Pleasant View Lodge 90-space facility in Spirit River offering 52 continuing care home spaces and 40 lodge spaces. Includes dementia-specific care, accessible washrooms with roll-in showers, and sensory room for relaxation.

Quantifiable outcome

• Affordable Housing: rent set at least 10% below market rates
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Smith Social Enterprises Ltd.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2024Joint venture between Grande Spirit Foundation and BA Leasing Inc. developing the Smith Apartment P3 project. BA Leasing Inc. is a private company from St. Albert selected through RFP process.
• Friends of the FoundationcoreOthers · 1 January 2001Community support organization begun with resident's estate donation in 2001. Has funded projects valued at over $500,000 enhancing residents' lives through donations, grants, and fundraising efforts.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• BC Housing: Provincial housing corporation managing subsidized and supported housing across British Columbia; comparable as a larger-scale government-affiliated affordable housing operator.
• Toronto Community Housing Corporation: Canada's largest social housing provider, operating tens of thousands of affordable rental units; relevant as a scale benchmark for the non-profit housing model Grande Spirit follows.

Direct peers

• Silvera for Seniors: Calgary-based non-profit providing affordable independent and supportive housing for seniors, with a similar mission and resident profile to Grande Spirit's senior housing programs.
• Calgary Housing Company: Non-profit affordable housing provider in Calgary, operating subsidized rental units for low-income families and seniors under a similar municipal-mandate structure to Grande Spirit.
• Capital Region Housing Corporation: Non-profit housing provider serving the Edmonton metropolitan area, offering affordable family and seniors' housing directly comparable to Grande Spirit's mission and operating model.
• Bethany Care Society: Alberta-based non-profit operating continuing care, supportive living, and seniors' housing across multiple care levels, comparable to Grande Spirit's Continuing Care Type B offering.
• Horizon Housing Society: Non-profit housing provider in Calgary offering below-market rental housing for seniors and low-income individuals, directly comparable in mission and resident subsidies.
• Wood Buffalo Housing & Development Corporation: Regional affordable housing non-profit serving Fort McMurray and northern Alberta communities, comparable in scale, geography, and reliance on government partnerships.
• Shepherd's Care Foundation: Faith-based non-profit operating independent living, supportive housing, and continuing care across Alberta, closely aligned with Grande Spirit's continuum-of-care senior housing model.

Emerging players

• Habitat for Humanity Canada: National non-profit building affordable homeownership and rental opportunities for low-income households, with comparable funding models (government partnerships, donations) but a broader geographic mandate.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/p/Friends-of-Grande-Spirit-Foundation-100067918291683

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Grande Spirit Foundation