Birth Mark
Birth Mark is a Toronto-based registered charity providing free, trauma-informed doula and reproductive support services — including birth, postpartum, abortion accompaniment, and 2SLGBTQIA+ family building — to marginalized communities across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersToronto, Canada
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Birth Mark does
Birth Mark is a Toronto-based registered Canadian charity (Charity #743972515RR0001) founded in 2018 that provides free, trauma-informed doula and reproductive support services to marginalized and underserved communities across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA), with selected national programming reach. The organization delivers direct services through four core programs: Birth & Postpartum Doula Support, Abortion Support (including accompaniment, provider referrals, and travel/financial navigation), the Seed & Sprout 2SLGBTQIA+ Family Building Program, and the Reproductive Health Equity Project (RHEP) healthcare-provider training. Supplementary services include lactation consulting, naturopathic referrals, community workshops, and Joanna's Giving Wall (an in-kind donation center redistributing essential pregnancy and infant items).
The operating model is service-driven rather than technology-driven: there is no proprietary platform, and services are delivered in-person by trained full-spectrum doulas and support workers, supplemented by virtual programming via Zoom, Eventbrite, and YouTube. Client acquisition flows primarily through a referral network of 500+ hospitals, shelters, health centres, and community agencies, with self-referral available for abortion support via an online form. Since 2018, Birth Mark has supported 3,700+ clients, attended 1,500 births, provided 40,000+ hours of postpartum care, redistributed $2M+ in gently used items and $250,000+ in new products, and delivered 3,800 care packages.
Birth Mark is funded entirely through private donations and grants (Oxfam Canada, Community One's Rainbow Grant, Health Canada-linked CART Access Project) and provides all services at no cost to clients. The organization employs 8 people and is governed by a Board of Directors that includes clinicians, researchers, and policy professionals. In August 2025, founder Gill Cullen transitioned from CEO to Board Co-chair, marking a governance maturation step. The organization self-reports that its current donation-based funding model 'launched us but is not sustainable as we continue to grow,' signalling an active fundraising posture.
Birth Mark firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Birth Mark
- Legal name
- Birth Mark
- Website
- https://birthmarksupport.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Birth Mark is a Toronto-based registered charity providing free, trauma-informed doula and reproductive support services — including birth, postpartum, abortion accompaniment, and 2SLGBTQIA+ family building — to marginalized communities across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Birth Mark industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Perinatal and Reproductive Support Services
- NAICS
- Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Individual and Family Services (6241), Social Assistance (624)
- SIC
- Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Lactation, Postpartum & Perinatal Support Services (HLAFAJAN)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Maternal, Child & Family Health Organizations (BPAGACAF), Postpartum Newborn Care & Parent Education (NCS) (HSAAACAA), Postpartum Family Helper (Non-Medical) (HSAAAGAJ)
Keywords
Where Birth Mark is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Toronto
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Birth Mark business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Donations and Charitable Funding: Birth Mark is a registered Canadian charity (Charity #743972515RR0001) funded entirely by private donations and community contributions. All services are provided free of charge to clients. The organization states that its current funding model 'launched us but is not sustainable as we continue to grow and seek to extend our impact,' indicating ongoing reliance on philanthropic and grant-based income.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Birth Mark product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Birth Mark is a registered Canadian charity (Charity #743972515RR0001) that provides free, trauma-informed doula and reproductive support services from preconception to postpartum. Its programs include birth and postpartum doula support, abortion support, the Seed & Sprout 2SLGBTQIA+ family building program, and the Reproductive Health Equity Project (RHEP) healthcare provider training, complemented by Joanna's Giving Wall in-kind donation program. All services are delivered free of charge by trained doulas and support workers, primarily serving marginalized and underserved communities in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area.
Product overview
Birth Mark operates as a multi-program charitable organization offering a coordinated suite of free, trauma-informed perinatal support services. The core offerings include full-spectrum birth and postpartum doula support, an abortion support program, and the Seed & Sprout 2SLGBTQIA+ family building program. These direct service programs are complemented by the Reproductive Health Equity Project (RHEP), which provides online and hybrid training modules for healthcare providers. Additional offerings include Joanna's Giving Wall (in-kind donations), lactation consultations, naturopathic referrals, and community workshops. The organization functions as a service provider rather than a software platform, with all programs delivered through trained doulas, support workers, and facilitators.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Seed & Sprout: A 2SLGBTQ+ family building program that focuses on inclusive reproductive support, queer and trans-focused family education, and advocacy and training for 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals and families.
- RHEP (Reproductive Health Equity Project)
Products and services
- Birth & Postpartum Doula Support
Quantifiable outcome
- 3,700+ clients supported across the reproductive spectrum; 1,500 births attended in person; 40,000+ hours of in-person postpartum care provided
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Birth Mark
Customer profileSegments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Birth Mark technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Birth Mark partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core, moderate and minor.
- Hospitals, Shelters, Health Centres, and Community Agencies (referral network)coreBirth Mark partners directly with hospitals, shelters, health centres, and community agencies who refer clients to Birth Mark's free doula and reproductive support services. This referral network is the primary mechanism for client acquisition and a core component of Birth Mark's service delivery model.
- Women's College HospitalcoreDr. Julie Thorne, Medical Lead for the procedural abortion program at Women's College Hospital and National Medical Lead for the Canadian Hospital Abortion Network, serves on Birth Mark's Board of Directors, bringing clinical expertise and hospital-level integration to Birth Mark's mission.
- CSI (Centre for Social Innovation)moderateBirth Mark hosted its inaugural 2SLGBTQ+ Family Building Symposium at the CSI (Centre for Social Innovation) in Toronto in 2025, bringing together 120 attendees for panels, breakout groups, and community building.
- WithRow MarketminorBirth Mark partnered with WithRow Market for a Kids 'Stuff' Swap event at WithRow Park Farmers' Market, accepting gently used toys, kids clothing, books, and school supplies to support families served by Birth Mark.
Scale indicators17 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Birth Mark competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights: National Canadian NGO advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights through advocacy and programming. Comparable to Birth Mark in mission (reproductive justice) and national policy posture, though focused on advocacy rather than direct service.
- YWCA Toronto: Toronto women's services nonprofit offering some reproductive and family support programming. Comparable as a regional nonprofit serving women and marginalized populations, though broader in scope than Birth Mark.
- Canadian Women's Foundation: National public foundation funding programs that advance gender equity, including reproductive and maternal supports. Comparable as a Canadian nonprofit/funder operating in the maternal-equity space, though primarily a grantmaker rather than direct service provider.
- Toronto Public Health — Healthy Families Program: Municipal public-health unit delivering free prenatal and postpartum supports across Toronto. Comparable as a publicly funded, free-of-charge perinatal services provider in Birth Mark's core service area.
- March of Dimes Canada: National nonprofit delivering a broad portfolio of disability, maternal, and family supports across Canada. Comparable as a similarly structured registered charity providing perinatal and family services with national reach.
Direct peers
- Pomegranate Community Midwives: Community midwifery practice in the Greater Toronto Area offering birth and postpartum care with a values-driven, equity-oriented approach. Comparable as a Toronto-region, community-rooted perinatal services provider.
- West End Mamas: Toronto-based perinatal wellness center offering doula support, lactation consulting, and postpartum care. Directly comparable to Birth Mark as a GTHA-headquartered doula services provider targeting similar reproductive-life-stage clients.
- Seventh Generation Midwives Toronto: Toronto midwifery practice serving marginalized and Indigenous communities with culturally safe perinatal care. Closely comparable to Birth Mark in mission (equity-focused, community-embedded perinatal care) and in Toronto-based delivery.
- The Doula That Could: Toronto-area doula practice founded by one of Birth Mark's own doulas (Karla Jassoy), providing birth, postpartum, and childbirth education. Direct overlap in service offering, geography, and practitioner network.
Emerging players
- Postpartum Support International: International nonprofit focused on perinatal mental health awareness, support, and provider training. Comparable to Birth Mark's postpartum and provider-training work (especially RHEP) though operating at a different geographic scope.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Birth Mark social profiles
Digital presenceBirth Mark financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Birth Mark leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Birth Mark funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Birth Mark M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Birth Mark
What does Birth Mark do?
Birth Mark is a registered Canadian charity (Charity #743972515RR0001) that provides free, trauma-informed doula and reproductive support services from preconception to postpartum. Its programs include birth and postpartum doula support, abortion support, the Seed & Sprout 2SLGBTQIA+ family building program, and the Reproductive Health Equity Project (RHEP) healthcare provider training, complemented by Joanna's Giving Wall in-kind donation program. All services are delivered free of charge by trained doulas and support workers, primarily serving marginalized and underserved communities in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area.
Is Birth Mark a public or private company?
Birth Mark is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Birth Mark founded?
Birth Mark was founded in 2018. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Birth Mark based?
Birth Mark is headquartered in Toronto, Canada, in the North America region.
How does Birth Mark make money?
One revenue line is on record: donations and Charitable Funding.
Who are Birth Mark's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights, YWCA Toronto, Canadian Women's Foundation, Toronto Public Health — Healthy Families Program and March of Dimes Canada. Direct peers are Pomegranate Community Midwives, West End Mamas, Seventh Generation Midwives Toronto and The Doula That Could. Postpartum Support International is listed as an emerging player.
Does Birth Mark have an API?
No public API is recorded for Birth Mark.
What industry is Birth Mark in?
Birth Mark's product category is Perinatal and Reproductive Support Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAFAJAN, Lactation, Postpartum & Perinatal Support Services, with a secondary code of BPAGACAF, Maternal, Child & Family Health Organizations. Its NAICS code is 624190 and its SIC code is 8000.