Autism Okanagan

What Autism Okanagan does

Autism Okanagan is a Canadian nonprofit charitable organization founded in 2014 and headquartered at 102-2040 Springfield Road in Kelowna, British Columbia. It delivers inclusive recreational, social, sports, and arts programs for neurodiverse individuals (primarily autism, but also other neurodivergencies) and their families across the Okanagan region, spanning age cohorts from 4 to adult. The program portfolio comprises two special hockey teams (Kelowna WildCats, ages 5-15, founded 2006; Kelowna Wild, ages 16+, launched 2016), social/creative clubs (LEGO Club, Drawing Club, Digital Arts Club, Comic & Manga Club, Cosplay Club, Dungeons & Dragons, Ernie Els #GameON Autism Golf) and the Youth & Adult Program (YAP) for ages 16+, delivered at multiple partner venues including Okanagan Ability Centre, Okanagan College, NONA Clubhouse (Vernon), and Canucks Autism Network offices.

Programs are priced unit-by-cohort at roughly $40-$80 CAD per participant and are distributed through a community-led go-to-market: direct registration via the organization's website and Google Forms, plus municipal recreation department partnerships that act as distribution resellers for hockey (the Cities of Kelowna and West Kelowna handle registration, fee collection, insurance, and ice/facility costs). Revenue is diversified across program fees, donations, signature fundraising events (Charity Golf Classic, Goddess On The Go Gala, Santa Visits), and grants from the Province of British Columbia, the Okanagan Prosperity Fund, the Central Okanagan Foundation, TELUS Foundation, and other community foundations. The organization is developing the 'Home for Belonging' — a permanent, purpose-built, sensory-considerate facility funded by a major gift from the Hall Family Foundation — which is expected to roughly double service capacity.

Operationally, the organization runs with a small board-governed leadership team (Executive Director Christy Phillips; Co-President Tammy Gilmour) and no proprietary technology stack; digital infrastructure is standard nonprofit tooling (Squarespace CMS, Google Forms, Keela newsletter). The organization's competitive position rests on community roots since 2014, established municipal and venue partnerships, the 2006 first-of-kind hockey program in British Columbia, and the planned permanent facility — collectively anchoring a multi-program ecosystem that is difficult for late entrants to replicate within the Okanagan.

Name

Autism Okanagan

Legal name

Autism Okanagan

Website

https://autismokanagan.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Autism Okanagan is a Kelowna-based nonprofit charitable organization founded in 2014 that delivers inclusive recreational, social, sports, and arts programs for neurodiverse individuals and their families across British Columbia's Okanagan region, spanning ages 4 through adult.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Autism and Neurodiversity Support Services

NAICS

Civic and Social Organizations (813410), Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (71394), All Other Amusement and Recreation Industries (713990)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Autism Social Skills & Peer-Mediated Programs (EDAKAKAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Autism Classroom & School Program Support (Inclusion/Resource) (EDAKAKAC)

Keywords

• Autism support programs
• Inclusive recreation services
• Neurodiverse community programs
• Sensory-friendly activities
• Nonprofit disability services

Headquarters

HQ city

Kelowna

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Program Fees: Fees charged for various programs including LEGO Club, Drawing Club, Digital Arts Club, D&D, Cosplay Club, Comic & Manga Club, YAP, and hockey programs. These provide partial funding for program delivery.
2. Donations and Fundraising Events: Charity Golf Classic, Goddess On The Go Gala, and general donations support programming. Santa Visits are free with optional donations accepted. The Home for Belonging project is funded through major donor gifts (Hall Family Foundation) and community donations.
3. Government and Foundation Grants: Financial support acknowledged from Province of British Columbia, Okanagan Prosperity Fund, Central Okanagan Foundation, and other granting bodies to support specific programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Autism Okanagan delivers inclusive recreational, social, and arts programs designed specifically for neurodiverse individuals (children, youth, and adults) and their families across the Okanagan region. Core offerings include social clubs (LEGO Club, Drawing Club, Digital Arts Club, Comic & Manga Club, Cosplay Club, Dungeons & Dragons), sports programs (Kelowna WildCats Hockey, Kelowna Wild Hockey, Ernie Els #GameON Autism Golf), the Youth & Adult Program (YAP), and signature community events including the Goddess On The Go Gala, Charity Golf Classic, and sensory-friendly Santa Visits.

Product overview

Autism Okanagan is a non-profit community organization that provides inclusive programs and activities for neurodivergent individuals and their families in the Okanagan region. The organization operates a portfolio of programs including social clubs (Cosplay Club, Comic & Manga Club, Digital Arts Club, Drawing Club, Dungeons & Dragons, LEGO Club), sports programs (Kelowna WildCats Hockey, Kelowna Wild Hockey, Ernie Els #GameON Autism Golf), and the Youth & Adult Program (YAP) for ages 16+. The organization also hosts signature events including Goddess On The Go (annual caregiver gala), the Charity Golf Classic (annual fundraiser), and Santa Visits (sensory-friendly holiday experience). The Home for Belonging is an initiative to establish a permanent, inclusive community space for neurodivergent individuals and families.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Cosplay Club A social group for teens aged 13-18 with autism or other neurodiversity to connect with like-minded peers to discuss cosplay, fandoms, and other related topics.
• Comic & Manga Club A program for individuals 12+ years old with autism or other neurodivergence, teaching how comics and manga work, including story creation, writing, visual canvas selection, and publishing guidance.
• Digital Arts Club A program for 12-20+ year olds teaching basics of digital art, including animation and design, with instruction from a professional animator using iPad and Apple Pencil.
• Drawing Club A social group for enjoying hand drawing and learning tips and tricks from professional artists, with sketchbook and artist pencils provided.
• Dungeons & Dragons Programs A social group using collaborative storytelling and strategic elements of D&D to build social skills and foster community for neurodivergent individuals, including Young D&D (ages 8-11), D&D 16+ (Kelowna), and D&D Vernon (16+).
• Kelowna WildCats Special Hockey Program Hockey program for children with autism and other developmental disabilities ages 5-15, providing opportunity to play hockey while developing fitness, coordination, and social skills within a team environment.
• Kelowna Wild Special Hockey Program Hockey program for youth and adults with autism and other developmental disabilities ages 16 and up, providing opportunity to continue playing hockey and develop fitness, coordination, and social skills.
• LEGO Club A program for kids who want to develop social skills, meet new friends, and express creativity using LEGO sets from beginner to advanced robotic and coding models, with three age groups: Junior (4-7), Middle (8-10), and Senior (11-16).
• Youth & Adult Program (YAP) A program for ages 16 and above providing a place to socialize while enjoying various activities including board games, bowling, pool/darts, trampolining, basketball, disc golf, and hiking.
• Ernie Els #GameON Autism Golf A golf program where participants learn golf and build confidence and self-esteem in a fun, welcoming, and supportive environment.
• Goddess On The Go Gala An annual spring gala dedicated to honouring and uplifting mothers and caregivers of individuals with autism and other neurodivergencies, featuring dinner, entertainment, and a silent auction.
• Charity Golf Classic An annual fundraiser held in September at Okanagan Golf Club to raise vital funds and awareness for autism support and programs, featuring shotgun scramble format, buffet, and banquet dinner.
• Santa Visits Sensory-friendly Santa visits with a cozy, low-stimulation environment featuring no waiting, soft lighting, and minimal sounds, including a photo with Santa.

Quantifiable outcome

• Doubled service capacity expected with Home for Belonging facility
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• City of West KelownacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners with Autism Okanagan for Kelowna WildCats Special Hockey Program. City collects participant fees, provides liability insurance, and covers costs associated with ice and facility rental.
• City of KelownacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners with Autism Okanagan for Kelowna Wild Special Hockey Program. City collects participant fees, provides liability insurance and some facility rental costs through Parks and Recreation.
• Kelowna Actor's StudiominorGTM or Marketing PartnerProvides cozy Santa's study, excellent staff, and professional photos for every family at the sensory-friendly Santa Visits event.
• Rachelle Moulton, PREC, Sotheby's International Real Estate CorporationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerReturning sponsor for Santa Visits event, supporting the sensory-friendly Santa experience.
• Okanagan Ability CentrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary program delivery location for Autism Okanagan programs including LEGO Club and D&D sessions. Located at 102-2040 Springfield Road, Kelowna.
• North Okanagan Neurological Association (NONA) ClubhousecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVernon-based partner location for YAP and D&D programs. Located at 2802 34th Street, Vernon.
• Canucks Autism NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAutism Okanagan's Cosplay Club meets at Canucks Autism Network offices at #242-1889 Springfield Road, Kelowna.
• Okanagan CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides classroom space at Health Science Building for Drawing Club, Digital Arts Club, and Comic & Manga Club programs.
• Coast Capri HotelminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVenue host for Goddess On The Go Gala event (Spring 2027).
• Okanagan Golf ClubminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVenue host for annual Charity Golf Classic event in Kelowna, BC.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Autism Speaks Canada: National autism advocacy and services organization operating across Canada. Broader mandate (advocacy, research, services) but overlaps with Autism Okanagan in the family-support and community-program space.
• Community Living BC: Crown agency funding and coordinating supports for individuals with developmental disabilities in BC. Comparable population served (autism and developmental disabilities) and overlapping regional program delivery in the Okanagan.
• Els for Autism Foundation: US-based autism nonprofit running the Ernie Els #GameON Autism Golf program — which Autism Okanagan also offers. Comparable mission and direct programmatic licensing relationship for the golf offering.

Direct peers

• Autism Society of British Columbia: Provincial nonprofit providing information, resources, and community programs for autism families across BC. Comparable mission (supporting autistic individuals and families) and overlapping donor/foundation relationships in the same province.
• Pacific Autism Family Network: BC-based nonprofit operating a physical hub (Goodrich Centre) with programs, resources, and services for autistic individuals and families. Highly comparable given its purpose-built facility model and mission alignment with Autism Okanagan's Home for Belonging project.
• Canucks Autism Network: BC-based nonprofit delivering autism-specific sports, arts, and social programs across the province. Autism Okanagan actually runs its Cosplay Club out of CAN's offices, indicating direct operational overlap in the same geographic market.

Regional players

• Sinneave Family Foundation: Alberta-based nonprofit running recreational, social, and skill-building programs for autistic youth and adults. Comparable programming model (sports, social skills, community belonging) but operates in a different province.
• North Okanagan Neurological Association (NONA): Vernon-based nonprofit serving individuals with neurological conditions, providing Autism Okanagan's Vernon program venue. Comparable mission (neurodiverse community support) and acts as a local infrastructure partner in the same Okanagan geography.
• Kerry's Place Autism Services: Ontario-based nonprofit providing residential, day, and community programs for autistic individuals across the lifespan. Comparable community-based program delivery model and government/grant funding mix, though operates at significantly larger scale.
• Autism Nova Scotia: Regional autism society delivering programs, advocacy, and family support services across Nova Scotia. Comparable nonprofit structure, donor-dependent funding model, and program portfolio for autistic individuals and families.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/autism-okanagan

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 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 Autism Okanagan