Fondation Sur la pointe des pieds / On the Tips of the Toes Foundation

What Fondation Sur la pointe des pieds / On the Tips of the Toes Foundation does

Fondation Sur la pointe des pieds is a Quebec-based nonprofit charitable foundation that delivers free therapeutic wilderness expeditions to young people aged 14 to 39 affected by cancer. The foundation organizes two core program lines: the Grande Expédition, a 10-day canoe-camping expedition on the Coulonge River for adolescents aged 14-18 in remission, and the Expédition Évasion, a shorter 3-4 day wilderness expedition for young adults aged 30-39 in treatment or recent remission, with a Spring variant extending access to adolescents currently in treatment. Each expedition carries a full medical, psychosocial, and guide staff, and is provided at no cost to participants, with operations funded entirely by donations, corporate sponsorships, and event-based fundraising.

The foundation uses a community-led go-to-market model: participants are recruited through referrals from oncology departments and major pediatric hospitals (CHU Sainte-Justine, Montreal Children's Hospital Foundation), the alumni network Le Phare, and word-of-mouth, while fundraising is driven by a portfolio of community events (Rase-O-Thon, Double défi des deux Mario, Célébrons la Vie, Les Courses CRYO, Club 3A) and a diversified base of corporate sponsors (Air Canada Foundation, Rio Tinto, CN, Power Corporation, RBC, CIBC, TELUS Friendly Future Foundation, Gloria Baylis Foundation, among others). Revenue is composed entirely of donations and contributions; there is no fee-for-service pricing. The foundation is headquartered in Chicoutimi, Quebec, has conducted 86 expeditions since inception, and operates partnerships with outdoor providers Camp Air Eau Bois and Momentum Rafting for expedition logistics.

Name

Fondation Sur la pointe des pieds / On the Tips of the Toes Foundation

Legal name

Fondation Sur la pointe des pieds

Website

https://pointedespieds.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Fondation Sur la pointe des pieds is a Quebec-based nonprofit that organizes free therapeutic canoe-camping and wilderness expeditions for young people aged 14-39 affected by cancer, funded entirely through donations, corporate sponsorships, and community fundraising events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Therapeutic Adventure Programs for Youth Affected by Cancer

NAICS

Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Recreational and Vacation Camps (except Campgrounds) (721214)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Adventure Therapy & Therapeutic Wilderness Programs (THAAAOAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Adventure Base Camps (Trek/Climb/Expedition Camps) (THAGAOAG), Adventure & Expedition Travel Agencies (THAKAFAB)

Keywords

• Therapeutic adventure programs
• Nonprofit cancer support
• Wilderness expeditions
• Youth oncology services
• Canoe-camping therapy

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicoutimi

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: The foundation is funded entirely through donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations. Fundraising activities include the Rase-O-Thon, Double défi des deux Mario, Célébrons la Vie, Les Courses CRYO, and Club 3A events.
2. Corporate Partnerships: Sponsorship and partnership contributions from corporate sponsors including Air Canada Foundation, Rio Tinto, CN, Power Corporation, RBC, CIBC, and numerous other companies and family foundations.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Fondation Sur la pointe des pieds organizes free multi-day therapeutic wilderness canoe-camping expeditions for young people aged 14 to 39 affected by cancer (Grande Expédition for ages 14-18 in remission, Expédition Évasion for ages 30-39 in treatment or recent remission, and Expédition Évasion Printemps for adolescents in active treatment). Each expedition is staffed by professional adventure facilitators alongside medical and psychosocial support teams and is funded entirely through donations, corporate sponsorships, and community fundraising events.

Product overview

Fondation Sur la pointe des pieds operates a unified therapeutic adventure program centered around free wilderness expeditions for young cancer survivors. The core offering consists of multi-day canoe-camping expeditions (Grande Expédition for ages 14-18 in remission; Expédition Évasion for ages 30-39 in treatment or recent remission) that provide therapeutic outdoor experiences in Quebec's wilderness. These expeditions are supported by fundraising activities (Club 3A, Rase-O-Thon, Double défi des deux Mario, Les Courses CRYO, Célébrons la Vie) and complemented by a research collaboration program and alumni network (Le Phare). All expeditions are fully funded through donations and partner support, with participants receiving medical supervision, professional guides, and psychosocial support throughout their adventure.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Grande Expédition Été: A major 10-day canoe-camping expedition for teenagers aged 14-18 in remission from cancer, taking place on the Coulonge River in Outaouais, Quebec.
• Expédition Évasion
• Club 3A
• Rase-O-Thon
• Double défi des deux Mario
• Célébrons la Vie
• Les Courses CRYO
• 30 ans d'Horizon

Products and services

• Grande Expédition Été 2026 (Summer Grand Expedition) A 10-day therapeutic canoe-camping expedition on the Coulonge River in Outaouais, Quebec for teenagers aged 14-18 in cancer remission, featuring wilderness travel, portages, and group therapeutic activities facilitated by professional guides and medical staff. Free for participants.
• Expédition Évasion Automne 2026 (Fall Getaway Expedition) A 3-4 day therapeutic wilderness expedition for young adults aged 30-39 currently in cancer treatment or very recent remission, offering adapted challenge levels and smaller group sizes at Réservoir Poisson Blanc, Quebec. Free for participants.
• Expédition Évasion Printemps 2026 (Spring Getaway Expedition) A spring therapeutic expedition for adolescents aged 14-18 currently in curative treatment, recent remission, or with major limitations following cancer, featuring adapted wilderness activities at Réservoir Poisson Blanc, Quebec. Free for participants.

Named customers3 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Fondation CHU Sainte-JustinecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with major pediatric hospital foundation for patient referrals and healthcare professional collaboration.
• Fondation de l'Hôpital de Montréal pour enfantscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Montreal Children's Hospital Foundation for patient referrals and healthcare collaboration.
• Camp Air Eau BoiscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOutdoor education camp facility providing initial accommodation and canoe training for expedition participants at the start of trips.
• Momentum RaftingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdventure tourism company providing guides, chalet accommodation, and river expertise for expedition programs in the Outaouais region.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Hope & Cope: Quebec-based nonprofit providing psychosocial support programs for cancer patients and survivors across age groups. Comparable Canadian/Quebec focus on the emotional and social dimensions of cancer recovery that complement medical treatment.
• Camp Quality Canada: Canadian branch of an international nonprofit running free summer camps and year-round programs for children with cancer and their families. Comparable in mission (free adventure experiences for kids with cancer) and reliance on donations, volunteers, and medical staff.
• Campfire Circle: Canadian nonprofit (formerly Camp Trillium and Camp Oochigeas) offering camp and community programs for children and families affected by childhood cancer. Direct Canadian peer with overlapping pediatric oncology audience and free adventure programming.
• First Descents: US-based nonprofit providing free outdoor adventure experiences (kayaking, climbing, surfing) for young adults (ages 18-39) impacted by cancer. Closest international analog to Sur la pointe des pieds in mission, participant age band, and outdoor therapy model.
• Send It Foundation: US nonprofit providing outdoor adventures (skiing, climbing, hiking) to young adults with cancer. Comparable in offering free adventure-based healing experiences to the same demographic and leveraging community fundraising.
• Young Adult Cancer Canada: Canadian nonprofit supporting young adults (15-39) living with, through, and beyond cancer through retreats, peer support, and educational programs. Comparable age band (mirroring Expédition Évasion 30-39) and Canadian focus on the AYA cancer population.
• Project Koru: US nonprofit running free outdoor adventure camps and surfing retreats for young adult cancer survivors ages 18-39. Direct peer on demographic (AYA cancer survivors), free programming, and community-driven model.
• True North Treks: US nonprofit offering free, medically-supported outdoor trekking and kayaking programs for young adults and teens affected by cancer. Direct analog on the therapeutic outdoor adventure + medical oversight model.
• Epic Experience: US nonprofit hosting free week-long outdoor adventure programs (camping, rafting, skiing) for cancer survivors and thrivers. Comparable free-to-participant model and emphasis on post-treatment emotional healing through wilderness activities.

Broad incumbents

• Canadian Cancer Society: Canada's largest national cancer charity, offering research funding, support services, and information across all cancer types. Comparable as a Canadian cancer-cause donation competitor and as a referral pipeline source, though not a direct outdoor-adventure operator.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCJMYilkAZGkoyKC1XTgfQlw
• Facebookfacebook.com/FondationSurLaPointeDesPieds
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fondation-sur-la-pointe-des-pieds
• Instagraminstagram.com/fondationsurlapointedespieds

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Fondation Sur la pointe des pieds / On the Tips of the Toes Foundation