The Sinneave Family Foundation

What The Sinneave Family Foundation does

The Sinneave Family Foundation is a Calgary-based Canadian operating foundation established in 2008 to enhance quality of life for Autistic youth and adults. It works with individuals, communities, and organizations across Canada to reduce barriers and create opportunities in education, employment, and housing, serving four primary stakeholder groups: Autistic youth and adults (age 15+), parents and caregivers, organizations and practitioners seeking neuroinclusive training, and academic researchers needing community recruitment support. Programs are delivered free of charge and are explicitly grounded in a neuroaffirming framework rather than a deficit model.

The foundation's core product surface is anchored by The Ability Hub, a 17,000-square-foot sensory-designed facility on the University of Calgary campus, and Sinneave Connects, an online learning hub built on Thinkific LMS infrastructure. Around these anchors, Sinneave operates a portfolio of branded programs: EmploymentWorks, Worktopia, NEUROinclusive Workforce Solutions, Launch + Skills, Skills Groups (Executive Functioning and Acceptance and Commitment Training), Information & Navigation one-on-one support, Your Time, Your Way drop-in sessions, Futures peer support, and Professional Development offerings built around the proprietary "6 Principles for Inclusion" framework. Distribution is multi-channel — in-person at The Ability Hub, virtual via Zoom and Microsoft Teams, and self-serve through the LMS — with no fees charged to participants.

The foundation is funded through charitable donations (donation receipts issued for gifts of CAD $20 or more, processed via CanadaHelps) and investment returns, and it explicitly does not generate commercial revenue from program participants. It operates as a non-profit entity in Alberta, Canada, governed by a board including family members and external directors, with no parent company or institutional investors identified. Strategic differentiation rests on (1) lived-experience staff and facilitators, (2) deep multi-university research partnerships (UCalgary, UBC, Queen's, Dalhousie/IWK, UAlberta, and internationally with Gdańsk University of Technology), and (3) a community-ecosystem model that combines direct service delivery with backbone convening for the broader autism services sector.

Name

The Sinneave Family Foundation

Legal name

The Sinneave Family Foundation

Website

https://sinneavefoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Sinneave Family Foundation is a Calgary-based Canadian operating foundation that delivers free programs, online learning, and employment and education support for Autistic youth and adults, while convening a national research and community ecosystem across Canada.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability and Neurodiversity Support Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGACAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Special Education, Disability Support & Inclusive Education Nonprofits (BPAGADAH), Special Education Online / Virtual Schools & Remote Programs (EDAKAAAL), Self-Advocacy & Self-Determination Training (EDAKANAI), Autism Parent/Caregiver Education & Training (School-Linked) (EDAKAKAJ)

Keywords

• Autism support services
• Neuroinclusive employment programs
• Disability community services
• Neuroaffirming skills training
• Nonprofit foundation programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Calgary

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Charitable Donations: The Sinneave Family Foundation is a charitable organization that accepts donations. They issue charitable donation receipts for gifts of CAD $20 or more. Revenue comes from philanthropic contributions and potentially investment returns from their endowment.
2. Foundation Operations: Operating foundation that generates impact through program delivery, backbone leadership, and collaborations rather than commercial revenue generation. The foundation operates on investment returns and leverages public, private, and philanthropic contributions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Sinneave Family Foundation is a Canadian operating foundation that delivers free programs and services to Autistic youth and adults across Canada, focused on reducing barriers in education, employment, and housing. Its core offerings include Skills Groups (Executive Functioning and Acceptance and Commitment Training), EmploymentWorks, NEUROinclusive Workforce Solutions, Launch + Skills coaching, Futures peer support, Your Time Your Way drop-in sessions, and the Sinneave Connects online learning platform, all delivered through The Ability Hub facility in Calgary and online channels.

Product overview

The Sinneave Family Foundation is an operating foundation that operates a portfolio of programs and services for Autistic youth and adults across Canada, focused on reducing barriers and enhancing opportunities in education, employment, and housing. The core offering is organized around a central online learning and community hub (Sinneave Connects), supplemented by in-person and virtual programs including Skills Groups (Executive Functioning, Acceptance and Commitment Training), the Launch + Skills coaching service, EmploymentWorks, NEUROinclusive Workforce Solutions, and the Futures peer support program. The Ability Hub in Calgary serves as the primary physical facility. The organization also maintains public-facing resource platforms (Worktopia.ca, Ressources) and a research participation portal, all delivered through its LMS portals and websites.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Sinneave Connects Online learning hub and Learning Management System (LMS) delivering eLearning modules, courses, and resources for Autistic individuals and professionals. Hosts the Employment Classroom, Navigating Healthcare modules, and various skills training programs.
• Information & Navigation Personalized one-on-one support providing consistent, person-centered information and navigation to Sinneave programs, services, and community-based resources. Available in-person or virtual.
• Skills Groups Skill-building workshops for Autistic youth and adults focusing on Executive Functioning (EF) and Acceptance and Commitment Training (ACT), meeting weekly in 90-minute sessions with 4-6 participants per group.
• Launch + Skills Coaching service for Autistic Albertans aged 15+ pursuing further education, employment, or independent living goals. Targets those who may not qualify for provincial PDD funding.
• EmploymentWorks Program connecting Autistic youth and adults with employment opportunities and workplace support, including skills training and job placement assistance.
• NEUROinclusive Workforce Solutions Initiative to advance neuroinclusive employment practices, offering resources, toolkits, and information for creating inclusive workplaces. Includes services for employers.
• Worktopia Online resource and community platform sharing knowledge, resources, and services for advancing neuroinclusive workplace practices.
• Futures: Goal-Focused Peer Support Peer support program focused on goal-setting and achievement for Autistic individuals, facilitated by peers with shared lived experience.
• Your Time, Your Way Drop-in social program providing a 'third space' for Autistic and neurodivergent community members to unwind, recharge, or socialize. Operates Tuesday-Thursday evenings at The Ability Hub, offering quiet lounge, computer desks, and flexible seating.
• Professional Development Professional development workshops and presentations for organizations seeking to implement neuroinclusive practices, including the 6 Principles for Inclusion framework.
• Research Participation Collaborative research platform connecting researchers conducting autism-related studies with Autistic participants who wish to contribute to research.

Quantifiable outcome

• Multiple impact reports published annually documenting outcomes and community reach
• +1 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration8 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, secondary and minor.

• University of Calgary (ENHANCE Lab)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on mental health research for Autistic youth. ENHANCE Lab conducts studies on stress, sleep, and mental health in Autistic youth. Sinneave facilitates participant recruitment for research studies. Ethics approval obtained through University of Calgary Conjoint Research Ethics Board.
• University of British Columbia (SMART Lab)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on mental health and masking research with Autistic adolescents. SMART Lab conducts online survey studies on mental health and masking. Sinneave facilitates recruitment of Autistic participants.
• Queen's UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partnership on brain health in older Autistic adults. Study examining daily activities and brain health. Ethics approved through Queen's University General Research Ethics Board.
• Dalhousie University and IWK HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on language skills research for children on the autism spectrum. Study examining language development in bilingual children aged 4-8.
• Gdańsk University of TechnologycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational research collaboration on employment competencies and workplace experiences among Autistic individuals. Study examining workplace performance across different ways of thinking.
• University of AlbertacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on genetic testing research for autism (PRISMA study). Examining challenges and opportunities for implementing standard of care genetic testing for autism in Alberta.
• AIDE CanadasecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerCollaboration for events and resources sharing. Joint workshops and events promoted through AIDE Canada's platform.
• Autism EdmontonsecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-hosting events and workshops in Edmonton region. Joint Autism 101 presentations and community events.
• Autism Society AlbertasecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity collaboration for events and awareness. Partnership for community outreach and resource sharing.
• Plan InstituteminorGTM or Marketing PartnerJoint events and resource sharing for disability support community.
• University of CalgarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosting Sinneave's The Ability Hub on University of Calgary campus (Child Development Centre). Provides physical location and academic connection.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Autism Speaks Canada: Canadian affiliate of the large US autism advocacy organization. Overlaps in mission (employment, housing, research) but operates primarily as a funder and advocacy body, with much larger national fundraising capacity than Sinneave.
• Organization for Autism Research (OAR): US-based nonprofit funding applied autism research and disseminating findings to the autism community. Comparable in its emphasis on applied research and community-grounded evidence, though US-focused and not a direct service competitor.
• Autism Canada: National autism umbrella organization focused on advocacy, research funding, and awareness rather than direct service delivery. Comparable as the pan-Canadian autism body, but operates at a broader portfolio level rather than Sinneave's hands-on program model.
• National Autistic Society (UK): UK's largest autism charity offering services, advocacy, and research. Comparable in the breadth of its service and policy portfolio (employment, education, housing), though operating at a much larger scale and within a different national healthcare and disability system.

Direct peers

• Kerry's Place Autism Services: Ontario's largest autism services provider, offering employment supports, residential services, and community programs across the province. Comparable in direct service delivery for Autistic youth and adults, though much larger and funded primarily through government contracts rather than donations.
• Pacific Autism Family Network: BC-based operating foundation offering a similar mix of direct services, research facilitation, and a purpose-built inclusive facility (the GoodLife Fitness Family Hub in Richmond). Most structurally comparable peer in terms of operating foundation + hub + research model.
• AIDE Canada: Canadian autism and intellectual disability knowledge-exchange network that co-hosts events and shares resources with Sinneave. Directly comparable as a Canada-wide service and resource body for Autistic adults, though AIDE operates primarily as a network/backbone rather than direct service provider.

Regional players

• Autism Society Alberta: Provincial autism nonprofit that partners with Sinneave for community outreach and resource sharing in Alberta. Comparable in mission (support for Autistic individuals and families) and in free program delivery, but with a broader advocacy remit and provincial rather than national scope.
• Autism Edmonton: Edmonton-based autism service nonprofit that co-hosts workshops and community events with Sinneave. Directly comparable programs (skills groups, employment support, family resources) but limited to the Edmonton region while Sinneave's hub is Calgary.
• Autism Nova Scotia: Atlantic Canada autism services and advocacy nonprofit. Comparable in offering direct programs (skills training, employment support, family resources) but with a regional geographic focus on Nova Scotia.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sinneave

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 The Sinneave Family Foundation