Headwater Learning Foundation
Headwater Learning Foundation is a Calgary-based CRA-registered charity (founded 2015) that channels philanthropic donations into K-12 education innovation through core partners Calgary Academy and Headwater Learning Solutions, supported by bursaries, capital campaigns, and annual fundraising events.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersCalgary, Canada
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Headwater Learning Foundation does
Headwater Learning Foundation (HLF) is a Canadian CRA-registered charity (Registration 821097086 RR 0001), founded in 2015 and headquartered at 1677 – 93 Street SW, Calgary, Alberta, with a staff of 8. Per its stated mission, HLF nurtures philanthropy to provide financial support to initiatives that advance innovation and equity in education. The foundation operates as a philanthropic intermediary rather than a direct service provider: it channels donor capital and event proceeds into a tightly curated set of partner organizations rather than building or operating its own educational programs.
The foundation's programmatic surface is organized around two core partners — Calgary Academy (a private K-12 institution founded in 1981 serving students who are not succeeding in traditional classrooms across Academy, Collegiate, Blended+, and Early Years programs) and Headwater Learning Solutions (founded in 2013 to develop innovative solutions for underserved learners across Canada through school partnerships). Programmatic instruments include the Jim Chaput Bursary Trust (financial assistance for families accessing specialized education), the Expanding Possibilities capital campaign (funding a 7,500 square foot facility expansion at Calgary Academy), the annual Golfing for Good tournament (the 2023 edition raised over $48,000), and the Mental Health in Schools Summit. The foundation also curates a "Champions of Change" network of seven aligned organizations spanning universities (Mount Royal University, University of Calgary Werklund School of Education), brain and mental-health research institutes (Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Mathison Centre), and international education foundations (Mind Up: The Goldie Hawn Foundation), plus EduScape and Xpan.
The foundation's revenue model is philanthropic rather than commercial. Income is generated through individual and corporate charitable donations accepted across multiple channels — CanadaHelps (online platform), Benevity (workplace giving), Blackbaud webforms, Interac e-Transfer, and direct mail — as well as event-based fundraising. The foundation is governed by a Board of Directors chaired by Dave Robinson, with Jim Gray as Board Member Emeritus and eight additional members. No paid products, SaaS, or commercial offerings are operated; technology is limited to donation processing integrations and standard social/web presence (LinkedIn, X/Twitter, Instagram, YouTube).
Headwater Learning Foundation firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Headwater Learning Foundation
- Legal name
- Headwater Learning Foundation
- Website
- https://headwaterfoundation.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Headwater Learning Foundation is a Calgary-based CRA-registered charity (founded 2015) that channels philanthropic donations into K-12 education innovation through core partners Calgary Academy and Headwater Learning Solutions, supported by bursaries, capital campaigns, and annual fundraising events.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Headwater Learning Foundation industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Education Philanthropy Services
- NAICS
- Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (8132), Educational Support Services (611710)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Education Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAK)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Scholarship & Fellowship Foundations and Trusts (EDADAHAC)
Keywords
Where Headwater Learning Foundation is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Calgary
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Headwater Learning Foundation business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Philanthropic Donations: The foundation receives charitable donations from individuals, corporations, and organizations to support educational initiatives. Donations can be directed to specific areas such as bursaries, facility enhancements, teaching and learning programs, or areas of greatest need.
- Event Fundraising: Annual charity events such as the Golfing for Good tournament generate revenue for specific educational causes. The 2023 tournament raised over $48,000 for mental health initiatives.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | One time/ perpetual license | Early Bird Golf Registration |
| Unit Pricing | One time/ perpetual license | Regular Golf Registration |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Headwater Learning Foundation product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Headwater Learning Foundation is a Canadian registered charity that channels philanthropic donations into K-12 education innovation and equity. It delivers financial support through bursary programs (Jim Chaput Bursary Trust), capital campaigns (Expanding Possibilities Campaign), annual fundraising events (Golfing for Good, Mental Health in Schools Summit), and strategic partnerships with specialized learning institutions such as Calgary Academy and Headwater Learning Solutions.
Product overview
Headwater Learning Foundation operates as a charitable foundation (CRA-registered, Registration: 821097086 RR 0001) that does not offer a traditional product portfolio. Instead, it provides a suite of philanthropic and educational support programs including partnerships with Calgary Academy and Headwater Learning Solutions, annual fundraising events like the Golfing for Good tournament, scholarship programs such as the Jim Chaput Bursary Trust, and capital campaigns including the Expanding Possibilities Campaign for facility enhancements. The foundation's initiatives focus on advancing innovation and equity in K-12 education through mental health support, specialized learning programs, and educational research.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Jim Chaput Bursary Trust
- Expanding Possibilities Campaign
- Golfing for Good Tournament
Quantifiable outcome
- Raised over $48,000 through the 2023 Golfing for Good tournament to support mental health initiatives in schools
Companies that use Headwater Learning Foundation
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Headwater Learning Foundation technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration4 records
Headwater Learning Foundation partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Headwater Learning SolutionscoreFounded in 2013, Headwater Learning Solutions aims to empower learner achievement. Believing that traditional educational systems do not meet the unique needs of every community, the organization works to find innovative solutions in education. With various school partnerships, Headwater Learning Solutions is working to support underserved learners across Canada.
- Calgary AcademycoreFounded in a single classroom in 1981, Calgary Academy began as a private education institute offering specialized education to students who were not succeeding in traditional classrooms. Today, the school continues to provide specialized education across three academic programs: Academy, Collegiate, Blended+, and Early Years.
- EduScapeminorPartner organization aligned to the foundation's educational mission, listed as Champions of Change on the Headwater Learning Foundation website.
- Hotchkiss Brain InstituteminorPartner organization at the University of Calgary aligned to the foundation's educational mission, listed as Champions of Change on the Headwater Learning Foundation website.
- The Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research & EducationminorPartner organization for mental health research and education aligned to the foundation's mission, listed as Champions of Change on the Headwater Learning Foundation website.
- Mount Royal UniversityminorUniversity partner aligned to the foundation's educational mission, listed as Champions of Change on the Headwater Learning Foundation website.
- Mind Up: The Goldie Hawn FoundationminorMental health and educational foundation aligned to the foundation's mission, listed as Champions of Change on the Headwater Learning Foundation website.
- University of Calgary Werklund School of EducationminorUniversity school of education partner aligned to the foundation's educational mission, listed as Champions of Change on the Headwater Learning Foundation website.
- XpanminorPartner organization aligned to the foundation's educational mission, listed as Champions of Change on the Headwater Learning Foundation website.
- The Summit: Marian and Jim Sinneave Centre for Youth ResilienceminorRecipient of $29,035 from the 2023 Golfing for Good tournament to support mental health initiatives for youth resilience.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Headwater Learning Foundation competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Calgary Foundation: Calgary's community foundation operating in the same city as HLF, distributing grants across education, health, and community initiatives. Directly comparable as a locally-anchored grantmaking entity with overlapping donor and partner networks.
- The Muttart Foundation: Edmonton-based Canadian foundation funding education, children and youth, and community development. Direct comparable as an Alberta-based grantmaking foundation with overlapping education focus.
- Laidlaw Foundation: Canadian foundation funding youth-led initiatives and education equity. Strongly comparable to HLF given the shared focus on underserved learners and educational equity through grantmaking.
- The Counselling Foundation of Canada: Canadian grantmaking foundation focused on education, mental health, and youth resilience. Highly comparable to HLF in mission scope, particularly around student mental health and K-12/post-secondary outcomes.
Emerging players
- MindUp (Goldie Hawn Foundation): Foundation focused on mindfulness and mental health in K-12 education. Already a Champion of Change partner of HLF but operates its own direct program delivery, making it an adjacent peer in mission.
Regional players
- Edmonton Community Foundation: Alberta community foundation based in Edmonton, distributing grants across education and community priorities. Comparable to HLF as a regional peer in the same province but distinct geography.
- Vancouver Foundation: British Columbia's largest community foundation operating in a different geography than HLF. Comparable community grantmaking model but does not directly compete in Calgary.
- Toronto Foundation: Ontario's largest community foundation. Comparable mission and community grantmaking structure to HLF, but serves a different regional donor and partner ecosystem.
Broad incumbents
- Mastercard Foundation: One of the largest foundations in the world, with significant education and youth programming in Africa and Canada. A broad incumbent operating in the same youth education and skills space but at vastly different scale and global scope.
- J.W. McConnell Family Foundation: Large Canadian foundation supporting education innovation, youth, and social innovation nationally. A broader incumbent in the same grantmaking space with significantly larger scale and program reach than HLF.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat2 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Headwater Learning Foundation social profiles
Digital presenceHeadwater Learning Foundation compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Headwater Learning Foundation financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Headwater Learning Foundation leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
Headwater Learning Foundation funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Headwater Learning Foundation 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 Headwater Learning Foundation
What does Headwater Learning Foundation do?
Headwater Learning Foundation is a Canadian registered charity that channels philanthropic donations into K-12 education innovation and equity. It delivers financial support through bursary programs (Jim Chaput Bursary Trust), capital campaigns (Expanding Possibilities Campaign), annual fundraising events (Golfing for Good, Mental Health in Schools Summit), and strategic partnerships with specialized learning institutions such as Calgary Academy and Headwater Learning Solutions.
Is Headwater Learning Foundation a public or private company?
Headwater Learning Foundation is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Headwater Learning Foundation founded?
Headwater Learning Foundation was founded in 2015. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Headwater Learning Foundation based?
Headwater Learning Foundation is headquartered in Calgary, Canada, in the North America region.
How does Headwater Learning Foundation make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Philanthropic Donations are the primary driver. The others are event Fundraising.
Who are Headwater Learning Foundation's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Calgary Foundation, The Muttart Foundation, Laidlaw Foundation and The Counselling Foundation of Canada. MindUp (Goldie Hawn Foundation) is listed as an emerging player. Regional players are Edmonton Community Foundation, Vancouver Foundation and Toronto Foundation. Broad incumbents are Mastercard Foundation and J.W. McConnell Family Foundation.
Does Headwater Learning Foundation have an API?
No public API is recorded for Headwater Learning Foundation.
What industry is Headwater Learning Foundation in?
Headwater Learning Foundation's product category is Education Philanthropy Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAKAK, Education Grantmaking Foundations, with a secondary code of EDADAHAC, Scholarship & Fellowship Foundations and Trusts. Its NAICS code is 813211 and its SIC code is 8200.