Investing in Children

What Investing in Children does

Investing in Children is a registered Canadian charity (CRA BN: 86321 3450 RR0001) founded in 1999 and headquartered in London, Ontario. The organization delivers a portfolio of free community programs serving children from junior kindergarten through grade 12, plus families, across London, Middlesex County, and Southwestern Ontario. Core offerings include the HARK After School Program (grades 6–8 wellness), Family Literacy and Math Events (JK–Grade 3), Kids Power Conference (grades 6–7 leadership), Young Authors' Virtual Camp (ages 10–15), the Free Youth Guitar Program (grades 7–10), Free Skate with the London Knights, Blue Boxes for Books, Adopt-a-Park, and a Nutrition Programs portfolio anchored by the Children's Nutrition Network and the Summer Snack Stop. All programs are free to participants and delivered at multiple community locations to minimize transportation barriers.

The underlying technology stack is intentionally lightweight: a Squarespace-hosted website serves as the primary information and donation hub, Stripe processes online donations and issues charitable receipts, and Zoom enables virtual delivery of Young Authors' Virtual Camp and the Kids Power Conference Virtual 2020 program. There is no proprietary software product, no mobile application, no API surface, and no AI/ML component — the "product" is fundamentally program delivery executed by a 14-person staff team augmented by community volunteers and student placements from Western University, King's University College, and Fanshawe College.

The business model is donation- and grant-funded rather than revenue-commercial. Income streams comprise individual and corporate donations processed via Stripe, government funding through the Ontario Student Nutrition Program and Ministry of Children and Youth Services, corporate and foundation sponsorships (London Community Foundation, Harry E. Foster Foundation, Tim Hortons London Owners, MayCourt of London, Walmart, President's Choice Children's Charities, Costco, Cargill, Maple Leaf Community Fund), and third-party grants routed to schools via the Children's Nutrition Network. Go-to-market is community-led: programs are promoted through schools (TVDSB, LDCSB), London Public Library, family centres, partner websites, email newsletters, and organic social channels, with Family Literacy and Math Events the only fee-bearing line (schools pay a $1,000 base cost).

Name

Investing in Children

Legal name

Investing in Children

Website

https://investinginchildren.on.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Investing in Children is a London, Ontario–based registered charity founded in 1999 that delivers a portfolio of free community programs — including literacy, leadership, nutrition, music, and athletics initiatives — to children, youth, and families across London, Middlesex County, and Southwestern Ontario, funded by donations, government grants, and foundation sponsorships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth and Community Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411), Child Care Services (6244), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Child Day Care Services (8351), Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Early Childhood Education & Childcare Nonprofits (BPAGADAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Community & Nonprofit Before/After Care Programs (Early Years) (EDACAHAD), Maternal, Child & Family Health Program Funding (HLAJALAG)

Keywords

• Children community programs
• Youth literacy initiatives
• Free after school programs
• Family nutrition services
• Youth leadership development

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Individual and corporate donations received through the website, powered by Stripe. All donors receive charitable receipts as the organization is a registered charity (CRA: 86321 3450 RR0001).
2. Government Funding: Funding from Ontario Student Nutrition Program (OSNP) through Ministry of Children and Youth Services. Additional funding through various ministry programs and local funding sources.
3. Corporate and Foundation Sponsorships: Support from corporate sponsors including London Community Foundation, Harry E. Foster Foundation, Tim Hortons London Owners, and various other foundations. Includes both monetary support and in-kind contributions.
4. Third-Party Funding for Schools: Children's Nutrition Network provides up to $1,000 per school for nutrition programs. MayCourt of London, Walmart Corporate Giving, President's Choice Children's Charities, and Costco Community Grant provide additional funding sources for school nutrition programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Investing in Children is a registered Canadian charity based in London, Ontario that delivers free community-based programs for children, youth, and families across literacy, nutrition, after-school support, leadership development, the arts, and recreation. All offerings are provided at no cost to participants and are funded through donations, sponsorships, and grants from individuals, corporations, foundations, and government bodies.

Product overview

Investing in Children is a registered charitable non-profit organization (CRA #86321 3450 RR0001) based in London, Ontario that has operated since 1999. The organization provides a portfolio of free community programs for children, youth, and families. The program portfolio includes: Blue Boxes for Books (literacy initiative), Family Literacy and Math Events (JK-Grade 3 engagement), HARK After School Program (grades 6-8 wellness), Kids 1st Day (annual community celebration), Kids Power Conference (leadership development), Nutrition Programs (Children's Nutrition Network and Summer Snack Stop), TVDSB Special Olympics Track and Field, Young Authors' Virtual Camp (writing camp), Free Youth Guitar Program, Free Skate with the London Knights, and Adopt-a-Park. All programs are free to participants and offered at various locations to minimize transportation barriers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• HARK: Healthy, Active, Resilient Kids - A free after-school program for students in grades 6, 7 and 8 focusing on healthy eating, active living, and personal wellness through self-esteem and character-building opportunities.
• Young Authors' Virtual Camp
• Kids Power Conference
• Snack Stop
• Blue Boxes for Books

Products and services

• Blue Boxes for Books A literacy program that distributes free books to children in the London, Ontario community to promote reading and literacy. Targeted at children and families in the community.
• Family Literacy and Math Events Family-focused events that combine literacy and math activities for Junior Kindergarten through Grade 3 children and their parents or caregivers. Designed for young learners and their families in the community.
• HARK After School Program An after-school program for students in grades 6 to 8 that provides supervised programming during after-school hours. Targeted at middle-school-aged youth.
• Kids 1st Day An annual community event for children and families that marks the start of the school year with activities, entertainment, and community engagement. Free to all participants.
• Kids Power Conference An annual conference designed to empower youth through leadership development activities and workshops. Targeted at children and youth in the London community.
• Nutrition Programs (Community Nutrition Network, Summer Snack Stop, Summer Breakfast) A collection of free nutrition programs including the Community Nutrition Network, Summer Snack Stop, and Summer Breakfast that provide food to children and families during school and summer months. Targeted at children, youth, and families facing food insecurity in London, Ontario.
• TVDSB Special Olympics Track and Field Events Special Olympics track and field events for students of the Thames Valley District School Board, hosted at Western University's Alumni Stadium. Targeted at youth with intellectual disabilities.
• Young Authors' Virtual Camp A creative writing camp for youth aged 10 to 15, delivered virtually via Zoom, that supports aspiring young authors through structured writing workshops.
• Free Youth Guitar Program A free guitar instruction program for students in grades 7 through 10. Targeted at youth interested in learning music at no cost.
• Free Skate with the London Knights A free recreational skating event held in partnership with the London Knights hockey team for children and families in the community.
• Adopt-a-Park A community park stewardship and beautification program that engages volunteers to clean and maintain local parks. Targeted at families, youth, and community volunteers in London, Ontario.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,000+ youth completed Youth Guitar Program
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers7 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

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and supporting.

• London KnightscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Partnership since 2020 to provide families opportunity to skate with London Knights hockey players. Annual Free Skate with the London Knights events.
• Thames Valley District School BoardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-host of Special Olympics Track and Field Events and partner for Kids Power Conference and Family Literacy Events. Students from TVDSB participate in leadership and literacy programs.
• London District Catholic School BoardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Kids Power Conference. Students from LDCSB participate alongside TVDSB students in leadership programs.
• London Public LibrarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Young Authors' Virtual Camp (previously Book Camp at Central Branch since 2005). Co-host venue for Kids Power Conference at Central Branch.
• Harrison PensamajorGTM or Marketing PartnerLaw firm sponsor for Free Skate with the London Knights yearly event.
• Kiwanis Club of Forest City-LondonmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor for Kids 1st Day celebration event showcasing opportunities for London families.
• Special Olympics OntariocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-host of TVDSB Special Olympics Track and Field Events. Partnership for school programs supporting students with and without intellectual disabilities.
• Ontario Student Nutrition Partnership (OSNP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOSNP provides funding and network support for school nutrition programs. Investing in Children co-chairs the London/Middlesex CNN contact group.
• Middlesex-London Health UnitcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner on Children's Nutrition Network supporting school nutrition programs.
• City of LondoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for CNN and Summer Snack Stop program delivery at City summer camps and pools. Partner in Adopt-a-Park program.
• Growing ChefscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner on Children's Nutrition Network and workshop presenter at Kids Power Conference.
• City of London (Adopt-a-Park)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with City of London's Adopt-a-Park program. Investing in Children has adopted Gibbons Park.
• Kiwanis Club of RodneysupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner helping collect and deliver books for Blue Boxes for Books program.
• Kiwanis of St. Thomas Golden KsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner helping collect and deliver books for Blue Boxes for Books program.
• Oxford County EarlyONsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner helping collect and deliver books for Blue Boxes for Books program.
• Southwest Public HealthsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner helping collect and deliver books for Blue Boxes for Books program.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• London Food Bank: London-based charity addressing food insecurity, a partner of Investing in Children's Children's Nutrition Network. Highly comparable in donor/sponsorship model and London-Middlesex service geography.
• YMCA of Southwestern Ontario: Major London-region nonprofit operating child care, after-school programs, youth leadership, and recreation programming — closely comparable in target beneficiaries and free/subsidized program delivery.
• Boys & Girls Club of London: London, Ontario-based youth development charity offering free after-school and summer programs for children and youth, serving overlapping demographics and funding sources (corporate sponsors, municipal grants) — the closest geographic and programmatic peer.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada: National youth mentoring charity providing volunteer-based mentorship for children and youth — directly comparable in mentorship-hour service model and reliance on community volunteers and corporate funders.
• United Way Elgin-Middlesex: London-Middlesex regional United Way funding and coordinating child-and-family programs through local agencies; serves overlapping beneficiary population and shares the same London-Middlesex funder pool.
• Merrymount Children's Centre: London, Ontario-based registered charity delivering children's mental health, early childhood, and family support programs. Directly comparable as a London-Middlesex child-and-family services nonprofit with similar funding model.

Broad incumbents

• Boys & Girls Clubs of Canada: National umbrella organization providing after-school, leadership, and youth development programming across Canada; comparable mission and free-program model but operates as a federated network at much larger scale.
• Children's Health Foundation: Southwestern Ontario healthcare charity funding children's hospital and rehabilitation services in London; shares London/Middlesex geography and child-focused mission but operates at significantly larger scale with healthcare focus.

Regional players

• Thames Valley Children's Centre: London-based children's treatment centre serving kids with disabilities and developmental needs; overlapping geography and child-focused mission, with a more clinical/specialized mandate.

Emerging players

• Kids Help Phone: National Canadian charity providing e-mental health services for youth; serves a similar youth demographic and relies on corporate donations, but operates in a different service category (counseling vs. in-person programming).

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/soontario
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCjY3K3QOPeCYc4VALLs3ptw
• Facebookfacebook.com/investinginchildren
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/investing-in-children

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 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 Investing in Children