APPLE Schools

What APPLE Schools does

APPLE Schools (legally The APPLE Schools Foundation) is a Canadian registered charitable foundation founded in 2007 in Edmonton, Alberta by Dr. Allan Markin with an initial CAD $5 million gift that has since grown to over CAD $16 million in cumulative contributions from the founder. The organization delivers the Comprehensive School Health (CSH) approach to vulnerable K-6 school communities, deploying School Health Facilitators and School Health Mentors who work with school staff, students, and parents to develop customized action plans covering nutrition, physical activity, and mental health. Core products include the facilitator-led program, a Resource Library (Action Plan Templates, Energizers, Fun Fitness Circuits, Healthy Celebrations, Home Challenges, Mental Health Bins, Staff Wellness, Taste Testing, and related K-6 materials), Digital Learning Modules launched in March 2023, the Guide to Implementation roadmap, a Knowledge Exchange Library, and a Health Promotion Calendar. There is no proprietary software or AI component; the 'product' is the methodology, human facilitation, and curated content.

The organization is 100% donor-funded and operates without charging schools; revenue streams consist of individual donations, foundation and corporate gifts at tiered levels (Orchard, Golden Apple, Green Apple, Red Apple, Yellow Apple), and event-based fundraising including SkipTheDepot bottle donations, Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation 50/50 raffles, and Shaw Birdies for Kids. Geographic reach now spans four provinces (Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario) with 108+ school communities and 37,000+ students impacted annually, enabled by strategic partners including Ophea (Ontario delivery), Calgary Flames Foundation (southern Alberta expansion), Inter Pipeline (10-year commitment), Leacross Foundation, St. Michael's Foundation, and Even the Odds/Staples Canada. Operations are lean, with a 16-person team led by Executive Director Jenn Flynn (appointed 2016) and a Board chaired by Marg Schwartz following Lory Laing's tenure (2016-2025), supported by an advisor relationship with founder Dr. Markin.

Name

APPLE Schools

Legal name

The APPLE Schools Foundation

Website

https://appleschools.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

APPLE Schools is a Canadian charitable foundation that delivers a Comprehensive School Health program to vulnerable K-6 school communities in four provinces, serving 37,000+ students annually through donor-funded facilitators, mentors, and curated resources.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

School Health Promotion Services

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110), Educational Support Services (611710), Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Student Wellness & Prevention Programs (Substance Use, Sexual Health, Bullying) (EDAJAIAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Physical Education (PE) & Fitness Programs (EDAJAJAC), Physical Education & Health Instruction (EDAJAFAL), School Feeding & Child Nutrition Programs (BPADAJAD)

Keywords

• School health promotion
• Children wellness programs
• Physical activity education
• Nutrition education programs
• School community health

Headquarters

HQ city

Edmonton

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: APPLE Schools is 100% donor-funded and relies entirely on the generosity and support of individuals, foundations, and organizations. Every dollar raised through fundraising efforts is strategically invested in fostering long-term health benefits, ensuring school communities bear no financial burden. Donations come from individual donors, corporate donors at various levels (Orchard, Golden Apple, Green Apple, Red Apple, Yellow Apple levels), and event-based fundraising such as SkipTheDepot bottle donations, Oilers 50/50 raffles, and Birdies for Kids programs.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

APPLE Schools is a school-focused health promotion initiative that works with vulnerable K-6 school communities across Canada to improve children's lifelong eating, physical activity, and mental health habits. It delivers the Comprehensive School Health (CSH) approach through dedicated School Health Facilitators, mentorship, evidence-based resources, customized school action plans, and direct funding for school wellness initiatives — all provided free of charge to participating schools.

Product overview

APPLE Schools is a school-focused health promotion initiative that operates as a unified program with multiple integrated components. The core offering includes School Health Facilitators who work with schools to develop customized action plans, supported by a comprehensive resource library (Action Plan Templates, Energizers, Fun Fitness Circuits, Healthy Celebrations, Home Challenges, Mental Health Bins, Staff Wellness, Taste Testing, and more). Digital Learning Modules provide online education on the APPLE approach, while the Guide to Implementation offers step-by-step roadmap support. The Knowledge Exchange Library facilitates professional development through events and recorded sessions. The Health Promotion Calendar provides awareness dates and observances. All components are delivered through a Comprehensive School Health (CSH) framework, with Resource Partners providing supplementary training and expertise.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• School Health Facilitator Program Each APPLE School is provided a dedicated School Health Facilitator (SHF) trained in nutrition, physical activity, and community development. The SHF works with students, parents, school staff, and community members to develop a customized school action plan addressing the school's specific health priorities.
• Digital Learning Modules Online learning modules that provide education on APPLE Schools' evidence-based, award-winning approach to creating healthier school communities. The introductory module covers the basics of building a healthy school community; resources are password-protected for member schools and also accessible via newsletter subscription for non-members.
• Guide to Implementation

Named customers5 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Edmonton Oilers Community FoundationminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 25 January 2025APPLE Schools was the featured charity partner for the Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation 50/50 raffle on January 25, 2025. Funds support wellness action plans, resources, and advocacy for kids in APPLE Schools across Alberta.
• Public Health Agency of Canada (Impact Canada)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 July 2024APPLE Schools was selected as a finalist in the Impact Canada Type 2 Diabetes Prevention Challenge. This recognition enabled expansion to four schools in Grande Prairie, Alberta to combat Type 2 diabetes among Canadian kids.
• OpheacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 June 2024APPLE Schools and Ophea joined forces for healthier school communities in Ontario. The partnership leverages Ophea's extensive network, strong relationships, and specialized expertise in the Durham District School Board region. APPLE Schools works with six schools to deliver health education centered on nutritious eating, physical activity, and mental wellness through a comprehensive health lens.
• Calgary Flames FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 March 2024Partnership with Calgary Flames Foundation to support student health in southern Alberta. With their generous donation, APPLE Schools expanded to four new schools including two in Medicine Hat and two in Calgary. NHL players visited new Calgary schools (Douglas Harkness and Rundle School) to participate in movement breaks and Q&A with students.
• Leacross FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProud partnership with Leacross Foundation to bring Sport3, a value-added programming collaboration that aligns with APPLE Schools' vision and provides opportunity to school communities.
• SkipTheDepotminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAPPLE Schools is listed as a charity on SkipTheDepot, allowing individuals and small businesses to donate bottles and cans with proceeds going directly to APPLE Schools. This supports over 35,000 students across Canada.
• Shaw Birdies for Kids presented by AltaLinkminorGTM or Marketing PartnerParticipating charity in Shaw Birdies for Kids program. 100% of donations went to APPLE Schools with opportunity for donations to be matched up to 50%.
• Ever Active SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResource partner providing training, staff, and resources to support APPLE Schools' vision of healthy kids in healthy schools.
• ParticipACTIONcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResource partner collaborating with APPLE Schools to build healthy school communities.
• Joint Consortium for School HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResource partner working with APPLE Schools on healthy school community initiatives.
• Alberta School Boards Association (ASBA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerReceived Friends of Education awards from ASBA and Northland School Division for championing healthy schools.
• Alberta Health ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResource partner providing resources and support for APPLE Schools' health promotion initiatives including food, nutrition, and body image education resources.
• Active for LifeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResource partner supporting APPLE Schools' mission to promote healthy living.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• ParticipACTION: Canada's national physical activity promotion brand and APPLE Schools resource partner. ParticipACTION operates at a much broader national awareness level and is not school-specific, whereas APPLE Schools specializes in K-6 school health delivery.
• Alliance for a Healthier Generation: Large US-based non-profit focused on healthier schools and youth, addressing childhood obesity through school-based interventions. Comparable mission and population to APPLE Schools but operates at a much larger national US scale with broader programmatic scope.
• PHE Canada (Physical and Health Education Canada): National Canadian organization advocating for quality physical and health education. Overlaps with APPLE Schools on school-based health and PE promotion but operates more at advocacy/policy level rather than direct school program delivery.

Direct peers

• Ever Active Schools: Alberta-based school health promotion organization that collaborates with APPLE Schools as a resource partner. Both target K-12 school communities using a Comprehensive School Health approach and serve overlapping Alberta school divisions.
• Action Schools! BC: British Columbia-based school health initiative that promotes physical activity and healthy eating in K-12 schools. Comparable to APPLE Schools in mandate and target population but operates only in BC where APPLE Schools also has a footprint.
• Joint Consortium for School Health: Canadian interprovincial and inter-territorial consortium that promotes comprehensive school health and is a resource partner of APPLE Schools. Both actively support CSH implementation across Canadian schools, though JCSH operates at a policy/government coordination level.
• Ophea (Ontario Physical and Health Education Association): Ontario-based organization that partnered with APPLE Schools in 2024 to deliver health education in Durham District School Board. Both focus on physical activity, healthy eating, and mental wellness in K-12 schools but Ophea is Ontario-specific while APPLE operates across multiple provinces.

Regional players

• Healthy Schools BC: BC provincial school health initiative providing resources and support to K-12 schools across British Columbia. Geographically overlaps with APPLE Schools' BC footprint and serves similar function of supporting healthy school communities.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/APPLESchools
• YouTubeyoutube.com/appleschools
• Facebookfacebook.com/APPLESchools.ca
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/healthy-apple-schools
• Instagraminstagram.com/appleschools

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 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 APPLE Schools