Epilepsy Toronto

What Epilepsy Toronto does

Epilepsy Toronto is a registered Canadian charitable non-profit organization, founded in 1956 and headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, that provides free, community-based support services to people living with epilepsy and other seizure disorders, as well as to their families and caregivers. With approximately 40 employees, the organization operates an integrated portfolio of programs covering adult services, children and youth services, employment support (including the SeizeABILITY! program), functional seizures services, support groups, recreation, public education, and life-skills training. Service delivery is intake-based, available via both in-person and online (Zoom) channels, and accessed by submitting a Google Forms intake form before being routed to the appropriate counsellor or program.

The organization does not sell a product or technology platform; its underlying "product" is human-delivered counselling, peer-support facilitation, recreation programming, and educational outreach. Notable specialized intellectual assets include the Teaching Awareness Through Puppetry (TAP) children's awareness curriculum, the Epilepsy@Work employment portal, and a suite of structured programs such as PACES (an eight-week adult skills program), STREAM (an online memory rehabilitation program), and the Epilepsy Employment Group (EEG). Marketing and community-building are conducted through a broad social-media footprint (Instagram, YouTube, Twitter/X, Facebook, TikTok, LinkedIn), an email newsletter, content marketing via member stories, and signature annual events including Purple Day, the Purple Walk for Epilepsy, and the Toronto International BuskerFest for Epilepsy.

Epilepsy Toronto's business model is donation- and grant-funded rather than revenue-generating. Services are provided free of charge to clients, and the organization's funding is derived from individual donations (monthly, one-time, and in-honour or in-memory giving routed through CanadaHelps), charitable events, and partial government funding, including a relationship with the Ontario Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services and a partnership with Employment Ontario. Strategic affiliations include membership in the Canadian Epilepsy Alliance and a Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) seat on the Toronto District School Board, the latter currently held by Ann Blanchette (announced October 2025). The organization is governed by a board of directors and led by Executive Director Geoff Bobb, with no evidence of institutional investment, ownership change, or acquisition activity.

Name

Epilepsy Toronto

Legal name

Epilepsy Toronto

Website

https://epilepsytoronto.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Epilepsy Toronto is a registered Canadian charitable non-profit, founded in 1956 and based in Toronto, that delivers free counselling, support groups, employment services, recreation programs, and public education to people living with epilepsy and their families across the Greater Toronto Area.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Health and Disability Support Services

NAICS

Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Social Assistance (624)

SIC

Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Epilepsy & Seizure Disorders (HLAKAIAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGAEAG)

Keywords

• Epilepsy support services
• Community health services
• Disability employment support
• Caregiver support programs
• Epilepsy education outreach

Headquarters

HQ city

Toronto

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Epilepsy Toronto is a registered charitable non-profit organization founded in 1956 that delivers free, community-based services to individuals with epilepsy and other seizure disorders in Toronto. Its core offerings include counseling, support groups, employment services (including the SeizeABILITY! program), recreation programs, public education, and youth/family services, accessed via an intake form and delivered both in-person and online.

Product overview

Epilepsy Toronto operates as a single non-profit charitable organization offering an integrated suite of community support services rather than a technology product platform. The core offerings center on direct human-delivered programs including Adult Services, Children & Youth Services, and Employment Services (including the SeizeABILITY! program). These are complemented by specialized support groups (ETA Support Group, Caregivers Support Group, Professionals Support Group, Parents Meet-Up), recreational programs (The Social Club, Wednesday Bingo!, Tuesday Trivia, Friday Recreation Group), educational initiatives (Epilepsy Fundamentals, TAP puppetry program), and employment support (EEG job search group, Career Planning workshops, STREAM Memory Program, PACES skills program). Services are accessed through an intake form process, with delivery via both in-person and online channels including Zoom. Major awareness and fundraising events include BuskerFest, Purple Day, and Purple Walk.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Adult Services Counseling, support, and services for adults living with epilepsy, including the ETA Support Group for newcomers to the Epilepsy Toronto community.
• Children & Youth Services Programs and support services for children and young people living with epilepsy, including the Teaching Awareness Through Puppetry (TAP) program.
• Epilepsy Employment Services Comprehensive employment support including job search assistance, workplace accommodations guidance, and the SeizeABILITY! employment program.
• SeizeABILITY! Employment program helping adults with epilepsy build skills and confidence to manage the medical, emotional, and social aspects of working with seizures.
• Functional Seizures Services Specialized support services for individuals experiencing functional seizures.
• Public Education Educational programs and resources about epilepsy for the broader community, including seizure first aid training.
• Recreation Services Social and recreational programs including The Social Club, Wednesday Bingo!, Tuesday Trivia, and Friday Recreation Group for community connection.
• Securing Futures Life Skills Program Life skills training program helping individuals develop independence and practical daily living skills.
• Support Groups Various peer support groups including ETA Support Group, Caregivers of Children with Epilepsy Support Group, Support Group for Professionals, and New & Expecting Parents Meet-Up.
• PACES Eight-week skills-building program helping adults with epilepsy manage the medical, emotional, and social aspects of life with seizures.
• STREAM Memory Group Online memory rehabilitation program (Strategies for Epilepsy and Memory) consisting of eight weekly sessions providing education on memory strategies and lifestyle factors influencing memory.
• EEG (Epilepsy Employment Group) Weekly online job search support group for people living with epilepsy, meeting via Zoom with alternating featured topics and general discussion.
• Support Group for Professionals Monthly virtual group for working professionals living with epilepsy to meet others with similar experiences and share thoughts on life with epilepsy.
• ETA Support Group Support group for Adult Service clients who are new to Epilepsy Toronto, whether recently diagnosed or longtime epilepsy patients, offering a warm and supportive environment to share feelings and learn about their condition.
• Caregivers of Children with Epilepsy Support Group Online support group for parents or caregivers of children living with epilepsy to meet others sharing similar experiences, covering topics from school issues to family dynamics and safety tips.
• New & Expecting Parents Meet-Up Virtual meet-up for people living with epilepsy who are considering parenthood, expecting children, or recently became parents, facilitated by the Adult Services Director.
• Career Planning Interactive workshop series for career exploration, including skills identification, values assessment, work environment preferences, and barriers to employment, exploring how epilepsy intersects with career choices.
• Epilepsy Fundamentals Monthly education session covering epilepsy basics, seizure trigger recognition, treatment options, and first aid for those new to epilepsy or wanting to learn more.
• Teaching Awareness Through Puppetry (TAP) Children's education program using puppetry to teach awareness about epilepsy in schools and community settings.
• Epilepsy@Work Online resource and portal dedicated to epilepsy and workplace issues, accommodations, and employment support.
• Toronto International BuskerFest For Epilepsy Annual major fundraising event supporting Epilepsy Toronto's services and programs.
• Purple Day Annual epilepsy awareness day celebrated on March 26th to increase understanding and support for people with epilepsy.
• Purple Walk for Epilepsy Community walk event to raise awareness and funds for epilepsy support services.

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Canadian Epilepsy AllianceminorOthersAffiliated with the Canadian Epilepsy Alliance, a network of epilepsy organizations across Canada working together to support people with epilepsy.
• Employment OntariominorOthersPartnership with Employment Ontario to provide employment services and support for people with epilepsy seeking workplace opportunities.
• Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (Ontario)minorOthersFunded in part by the Ontario Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services to support charitable programs and services.
• Toronto District School Board (TDSB)minorOthersAnnounced in October 2025 that Ann Blanchette will represent Epilepsy Toronto on the TDSB's Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC), advocating for students with epilepsy.

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Epilepsy Ontario: Provincial umbrella organization for epilepsy services across Ontario. Comparable mission (epilepsy support, education, advocacy) and overlapping service categories, but operates at a province-wide rather than city-specific level, making it both a peer and a network affiliate.
• Epilepsy Foundation (US): Largest US-based nonprofit serving people with epilepsy. Comparable mission and comprehensive service portfolio (education, support, employment, research) but operates at national scale across the United States with substantially larger resources and digital infrastructure.
• Epilepsy Canada: National Canadian epilepsy advocacy and research organization. Comparable in mission to serve people with epilepsy but operates nationally with a focus on research funding, policy advocacy, and awareness rather than direct local service delivery.
• Epilepsy Action (UK): UK-based national charity for people with epilepsy. Comparable mission of providing information, support services, and advocacy, with a similar combination of helpline services, online resources, and community programs.
• March of Dimes Canada: Larger Canadian disability-focused nonprofit offering employment services, community participation, and accessibility programs. Comparable in operating disability employment services and serving people with neurological conditions, though with a broader disability remit.

Direct peers

• Epilepsy Durham Region: Direct peer and fellow Canadian Epilepsy Alliance affiliate providing community-based epilepsy services in Ontario. Operates a similar model of support services, education, and advocacy for people with epilepsy in its regional catchment.
• Epilepsy Niagara: Regional Ontario peer within the Canadian Epilepsy Alliance network. Directly comparable mission and service portfolio serving people with epilepsy in the Niagara region through support services and community programs.
• Epilepsy South Central Ontario: Regional Canadian Epilepsy Alliance affiliate serving south-central Ontario. Closely comparable in scope, mission, and service delivery model (community support, education, advocacy) as a fellow Ontario epilepsy nonprofit.
• Epilepsy Ottawa: Direct geographic peer — another Canadian Epilepsy Alliance member providing community-based epilepsy services in Ottawa. Nearly identical service model (counselling, support groups, employment support, education) at a comparable scale, making it the closest single comparable organization.

Emerging players

• Brain Injury Association of Canada: Canadian charity supporting people with brain injuries, including acquired epilepsy. Overlapping population (neurological conditions) and comparable service categories (advocacy, education, peer support) but distinct clinical focus on brain injury rather than epilepsy specifically.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/epilepsytoronto
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/epilepsytorontovideos
• Facebookfacebook.com/epilepsytoronto
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/epilepsy-toronto
• Instagraminstagram.com/epilepsytoronto
• TikToktiktok.com/@epilepsytoronto

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 Epilepsy Toronto