Protect Our Winters Canada

What Protect Our Winters Canada does

Protect Our Winters Canada (POW Canada) is a registered Canadian charitable organization (BN: 789126737 RR 0001) founded in 2018 and headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, with a team of 16 staff. It operates as a community-led climate advocacy nonprofit that mobilizes Canadian outdoor recreation enthusiasts — currently 43,770 free members with a stated target of 60,000 — to push for federal and provincial climate policy solutions. The organization's core work focuses on three impact areas: protecting lands and communities from wildfires, advocating for outdoor communities and their economies (referencing a 2024 University of Waterloo study valuing outdoor recreation at $102B annually and 1 million jobs), and advancing clean energy onto the grid. Specific policy proposals include a $4.1B five-year wildfire strategy, a $20B east-west transmission grid investment, and $5B for Indigenous-owned renewables.

POW Canada's operations are structured around seven interlocking alliance networks — Resort, Partner, Athlete, Science, Creative, Retailer, and Non-Profit Alliances — that collectively engage ski resorts (Tremblant, Big White, Cypress, Blue Mountain, Sun Peaks, RED Mountain), outdoor industry brands (Arc'teryx, Salomon, Burton, The North Face, Baffin, YETI, Red Bull, Smartwool, MEC, SAIL, Fjällräven), over 50 professional athletes, a Science Alliance led by IPCC contributors and glaciologists, and a coalition of nonprofit partners (CANRAC, CSIA, CSGA, SORCA, ACMG). It also co-operates the Outdoor Recreation Municipality Group with Climate Caucus (460+ local elected officials), engaging municipalities directly on outdoor recreation-friendly climate policy. Programs include the Enthusiast to Advocate training platform, regional chapters, the Resource Center (English/French), and two high-impact advocacy campaigns per year plus three annual national lobbying trips.

The revenue model is diversified across individual donations (one-time, monthly, annual tiers from $25 to $2,500, with employer matching, stock donation, and Aeroplan miles options), corporate partnerships via a five-tier Partner Alliance (Founding, Summit, Ascent, Supporting, Friends), foundation grants (McCall MacBain, Trottier), and merchandise sales through the Retailer Alliance and online store using sustainably manufactured, Canadian-made organic and recycled goods. Distribution channels span direct-to-consumer digital membership (self-serve via website, email-only signup), physical retail (Retailer Alliance storefronts), resort channels (Resort Alliance), and B2B/government relations (municipality group). No venture capital, private equity, or parent company ownership is indicated; the organization is independently operated.

Name

Protect Our Winters Canada

Legal name

Protect Our Winters Canada

Website

https://protectourwinters.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Protect Our Winters Canada is a Toronto-based registered charity founded in 2018 that mobilizes 43,770 Canadian outdoor enthusiasts and alliance partners (resorts, brands, athletes, scientists) to advocate for federal and provincial climate policy, including wildfire, clean energy, and grid initiatives.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Toronto

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Primary revenue stream from individual donors making one-time or recurring (monthly/annual) donations. The organization is a registered Canadian charity (BN: 789126737 RR 0001) that issues official charitable tax receipts for donations. Donation amounts offered range from preset tiers ($25, $50, $100, $250, $1,000, $2,500) to custom amounts, with optional processing fee coverage.
2. Corporate Partnerships and Brand Contributions: Corporate contributions from businesses and brands that join POW Canada's Partner Alliance. Partners provide financial or in-kind support in exchange for brand visibility, association with POW's mission, and access to the outdoor community. Tiers include Founding Partners, Summit Partners, Ascent Partners, Supporting Partners, and Friends.
3. Foundation Grants: Grants from foundations (e.g., McCall MacBain Foundation, Trottier) that support POW Canada's educational, activism, and advocacy programs.
4. Merchandise Sales: POW Canada merchandise is sold through the Retailer Alliance program, with sustainably manufactured goods sold at partner retailers and through the POW store. Merchandise is made in Canada from organic and recycled materials.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Protect Our Winters Canada is a nonprofit climate advocacy organization that mobilizes the Canadian outdoor recreation community (skiers, snowboarders, paddlers, climbers, cyclists) to advocate for federal and provincial climate policy solutions. Its core offerings include a free membership program, a charitable donation platform, the Enthusiast to Advocate training program, regional chapters, policy campaigns, and multi-stakeholder alliance networks that connect outdoor industry brands, resorts, athletes, scientists, creatives, retailers, and municipalities around climate action.

Product overview

Protect Our Winters Canada is a non-profit climate advocacy organization operating a community platform that mobilizes the Canadian outdoor recreation community for climate action. The core offering consists of a free membership program, charitable donation processing, the Enthusiast to Advocate training program, regional chapter network, resource center, and policy campaigns. The organization also manages alliance networks (Resort, Partner, Athlete, Science, Creative, Retailer, and Non-Profit Alliances) that connect outdoor industry stakeholders with climate advocacy initiatives. Supplementary revenue is generated through merchandise sales.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• A 2024 University of Waterloo study found outdoor recreation generates $102 billion in annual economic activity and supports 1 million jobs across Canada, larger than pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and forestry — POW advocates for this sector to be recognized in federal economic data.
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

39 partnerships are on record, tiered founding, summit, ascent, supporting and core.

• Arc'teryxfoundingStrategic or Co-development PartnerArc'teryx has been a founding partner of POW Canada since day one, sharing POW's belief in the power of the outdoor community to drive real, systemic change. Arc'teryx is also a member of the Retailer Alliance, selling POW merchandise and providing brand visibility.
• SalomonfoundingStrategic or Co-development PartnerSalomon has been a key partner since 2019, fueling POW Canada's advocacy, fundraising, and community-building efforts. Salomon athlete and ambassador Mike Douglas has been involved since before POW Canada's official launch in 2018.
• Altitude SportsfoundingStrategic or Co-development PartnerAltitude Sports is listed as a founding partner of POW Canada, supporting the organization's climate advocacy mission.
• TrottierfoundingStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrottier is listed as a founding partner of POW Canada, supporting the organization's climate advocacy mission.
• SmartwoolsummitStrategic or Co-development PartnerSmartwool and POW Canada unite to protect the outdoor spaces they love. Through responsible business, community engagement, and advocacy, they drive climate action together.
• North Family FoundationsummitStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorth Family Foundation is a Summit Partner supporting POW Canada's climate advocacy work.
• 1% For The PlanetfoundingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPOW Canada is a member of the 1% For The Planet network. The organization is acknowledged alongside Arc'teryx and MEC on the POW Canada website as a 1% for the Planet member organization.
• BurtonascentStrategic or Co-development PartnerBurton is an Ascent Partner supporting POW Canada's mission. Burton and POW recently collaborated on a climate action initiative (Burton x POW Canada campaign, April 2026).
• The North FaceascentStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe North Face is an Ascent Partner of POW Canada.
• BaffinascentStrategic or Co-development PartnerBaffin is an Ascent Partner of POW Canada.
• Sid LeeascentStrategic or Co-development PartnerSid Lee is an Ascent Partner of POW Canada.
• Basecamp ResortsascentStrategic or Co-development PartnerBasecamp Resorts is an Ascent Partner of POW Canada.
• SwitchbacksupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerSwitchback is a Supporting Partner of POW Canada.
• FjällrävensupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerFjällräven is a Supporting Partner of POW Canada.
• YETIsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerYETI is a Supporting Partner of POW Canada.
• Red BullsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerRed Bull is a Supporting Partner of POW Canada.
• SAILsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerSAIL is a Supporting Partner and retailer of POW Canada merchandise.
• Mont-TremblantcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMont-Tremblant is a member of the POW Resort Alliance. Ski resorts across Canada experience the challenges of operating in a warming and variable climate firsthand. Resort Alliance members commit to sustainability, advocate for climate protection, and connect their customers to POW's mission.
• Big White Ski ResortcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBig White Ski Resort is a member of the POW Resort Alliance, joining in January 2023. Resorts pledge to make sustainability a priority, advocate for climate protection, and support POW's mission to turn outdoor enthusiasts into effective climate advocates.
• Cypress MountaincoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCypress Mountain is a member of the POW Resort Alliance.
• Blue Mountain ResortcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBlue Mountain Resort is a member of the POW Resort Alliance.
• Sun Peaks ResortcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSun Peaks Resort is a member of the POW Resort Alliance.
• RED Mountain ResortcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRED Mountain Resort (Rossland, BC) is a member of the POW Resort Alliance.
• Mansridge / Ma-neigecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMansridge / Ma-neige is a member of the POW Resort Alliance.
• Alpine Ski ClubcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAlpine Ski Club is a member of the POW Resort Alliance.
• Dr. Alison Criscitiello / Canadian Ice Core Lab (University of Alberta)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Alison Criscitiello is Director of the Canadian Ice Core Lab (CICL) at University of Alberta, an ice core scientist and high-altitude mountaineer. She is a member of POW Canada's Science Alliance, bringing glaciology expertise and Arctic/Antarctic research to guide POW's climate science strategy.
• Simon Horton / Avalanche CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSimon Horton is a public avalanche forecaster with Avalanche Canada and researcher with Simon Fraser University Avalanche Research program. He is a member of POW Canada's Science Alliance, bringing expertise in snowpack modeling and avalanche prediction.
• Dr. Daniel Scott / Interdisciplinary Centre on Climate Change (University of Waterloo)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Daniel Scott is Executive Director of the Interdisciplinary Centre on Climate Change at University of Waterloo and a contributing author to IPCC Assessment Reports. He is a Science Alliance member guiding POW's climate action strategy.
• Laura Hughes / Pembina InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLaura Hughes is Director of the Equitable Transition Program at the Pembina Institute, leading files on gender equity, sustainable finance, depolarizing narratives, and nature-based solutions. She is a Science Alliance member bringing 13 years of climate and conservation experience.
• Dr. Jacquie Hung / Woodwell Climate Research CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Jacquie Hung is an Arctic ecologist at Woodwell Climate Research Center, researching climate change effects on soil biogeochemistry and greenhouse gas exchange in the Canadian High Arctic.
• Nat Knowles / University of WaterloocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNat Knowles is a climate scientist, wilderness conservationist, and outdoor athlete. She is a PhD candidate at University of Waterloo and 2020 UN Young Champion of the Earth Finalist. Science Alliance member.
• Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMEC is acknowledged as a partner of POW Canada and participates in the Retailer Alliance. MEC also co-hosts events with POW Canada (e.g., season opener events) and powers the Hot Planet Cool Athletes climate education program for high school students.
• CANRAC (Canadian Racing Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCANRAC (Canadian Racing Association) is a member of POW Canada's Non-Profit Alliance, collaborating on climate advocacy efforts within the outdoor recreation community.
• CSIA (Canadian Ski Instructors' Alliance)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCSIA is a member of POW Canada's Non-Profit Alliance, working together to advocate for climate action within the ski and outdoor instruction community.
• BC FreestylecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBC Freestyle is a member of POW Canada's Non-Profit Alliance.
• CSGA (Canadian Ski Guides Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCSGA is a member of POW Canada's Non-Profit Alliance.
• SORCA (Southern Ontario Cyclists' Alliance)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSORCA is a member of POW Canada's Non-Profit Alliance, representing the trail and mountain biking community.
• ACMG (Association of Canadian Mountain Guides)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerACMG is a member of POW Canada's Non-Profit Alliance, representing professional mountain guides who work on snow and in the backcountry.
• Climate CaucuscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPOW Canada launched the Outdoor Recreation Municipality Group alongside the Climate Caucus in 2021. Climate Caucus is a non-partisan network of 460+ local elected climate leaders driving system change. The collaboration focuses on engaging municipalities in climate policy that protects outdoor recreation spaces.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Wilderness Committee: Canadian conservation advocacy organization focused on protecting wilderness and addressing climate change. Comparable to POW Canada as a national Canadian environmental advocacy nonprofit mobilizing citizens for policy action on nature and climate.
• Environmental Defence Canada: Canadian environmental advocacy nonprofit working on climate, biodiversity, and toxics policy. Comparable to POW Canada as a registered Canadian charity conducting policy advocacy, public engagement, and government lobbying on environmental issues.
• David Suzuki Foundation: One of Canada's most prominent environmental nonprofits, focused on climate action, biodiversity, and sustainability policy. Comparable to POW Canada as a registered Canadian charity mobilizing public support and lobbying government on climate and conservation issues, though with broader environmental scope.
• Nature Canada: National conservation nonprofit advocating for protected areas and wildlife in Canada. Comparable to POW Canada as a membership-based Canadian environmental advocacy organization engaging supporters in policy campaigns related to nature and climate.
• Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS): Canada's largest nationwide conservation advocacy organization, working on park protection, wildlife conservation, and climate policy. Comparable to POW Canada as a national Canadian environmental advocacy nonprofit engaging members, partners, and government on conservation and climate issues.
• Pembina Institute: A Canadian clean energy policy think tank and advocacy organization. Directly comparable to POW Canada as a climate advocacy organization producing evidence-based policy research and engaging government — and is an actual POW Canada Science Alliance partner (Laura Hughes).
• Climate Caucus: Canadian non-partisan network of 460+ local elected officials driving climate action. Directly comparable to POW Canada as a Canadian climate advocacy organization — and is an actual POW Canada partner via the Outdoor Recreation Municipality Group.
• Protect Our Winters (US): The original Protect Our Winters organization founded by pro snowboarder Jeremy Jones in 2007. Operates the same model of mobilizing outdoor recreation enthusiasts for climate policy advocacy, with athlete ambassadors, brand partners, and resort alliances — directly comparable mission and structure to POW Canada.
• Protect Our Winters UK: The UK chapter of the Protect Our Winters global network, focused on mobilizing British outdoor enthusiasts for climate policy advocacy. Sister organization to POW Canada with similar community-mobilization, athlete, and brand alliance programs.

Others

• 1% For The Planet: Global network connecting businesses and environmental nonprofits through brand-agnostic philanthropic giving. POW Canada is a member organization acknowledged on its website; comparable as a network participant and partner in the broader outdoor/environmental philanthropic ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/protect-our-winters-canada

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Protect Our Winters Canada