What YWCA Montreal does

YWCA Montreal (legally "Y des femmes de Montréal") is a 150-year-old non-profit organization headquartered at 1275 avenue De Lorimier in Montreal, Quebec, with approximately 119 employees. Founded in 1875 and affiliated with YWCA Canada, it operates as a multi-service women's organization delivering housing, employability, legal information, youth, caregiver and community programming in both French and English across the Island of Montreal. Its core service lines include a 96-unit supportive housing project (Résidenti'ELLE, inaugurated June 2026) plus community housing units, employability programs (Femmes vers l'emploi, Women's Work Integration Program, Orientation et service en emploi, s'Entreprendre entrepreneurship), a free legal information clinic staffed by volunteer law students (Clinique d'information juridique, Parcours Justice), youth consent and violence-prevention programming (Connais-tu LA limite?, Sans violence), caregiver support, a free income-tax clinic, and the Fringues thrift boutique social enterprise.

Underlying technology is conventional non-profit infrastructure rather than a proprietary platform: a WordPress website with Elementor page builder, Google Analytics, Hotjar behavior tracking, WPML bilingual content management, and Complianz cookie consent. There are no AI/ML systems, no disclosed APIs or SDKs, no mobile applications, and no patents or proprietary trademarks. Service delivery is primarily in person at the main site, supplemented by telephone intake, online registration forms and some online programming for caregivers and legal resources.

The revenue model is grant-dependent and donation-supported rather than commercial. YWCA Montreal receives core and program funding from the Government of Canada, the Government of Quebec, the City of Montreal, Centraide (United Way Montreal) and L'Appui, augmented by donations and proceeds raised through its affiliated Fondation du Y des femmes de Montréal, including the annual Prix Femmes de mérite benefit evening. Services to beneficiaries are free of charge; a small earned-income stream comes from the Fringues thrift boutique. The organization permanently closed Hotel Y Montreal and Auberge YWCA during the COVID-19 pandemic, eliminating a social-economy revenue line. Distribution is community-led: clients are acquired via referrals from CLSCs, local employment centres, Services Québec and other community organizations, while awareness is built via bilingual website, newsletter, social media (Facebook, X, LinkedIn, Instagram) and annual advocacy campaigns such as the 12 Days of Action to End Violence Against Women. Customer base is end-user women and girls across multiple life-stage segments (job seekers, survivors of violence, newcomers, caregivers, youth).

Name

YWCA Montreal

Legal name

Y des femmes de Montréal

Website

https://ydesfemmesmtl.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1875

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

YWCA Montreal is a 150-year-old non-profit in Montreal delivering housing, employability, legal information, youth and caregiver services to women and girls, funded primarily by federal, provincial and municipal government grants and Centraide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Montreal, Quebec

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Grants and Subsidies: YWCA Montreal receives funding from public sector partners including the governments of Canada, Quebec, and the City of Montreal, as well as Centraide (United Way). These grants support core operations and specific programs.
2. Donations and Philanthropy: The organization raises funds through its Foundation, direct donations, and fundraising events including the annual Prix Femmes de mérite benefit evening.
3. Social Enterprise Revenue: The Fringues thrift boutique generates revenue from the sale of donated clothing and goods.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

YWCA Montreal is a non-profit organization that delivers a comprehensive suite of community programs for women and girls in Montreal, including supportive housing (Résidenti'ELLE 96-unit project and community housing units), employability and workforce integration services (Femmes vers l'emploi, Women's Work Integration Program, s'Entreprendre), a free legal information clinic, youth violence prevention and consent education, and caregiver support programming. Most services are offered free of charge, supported by government grants and charitable donations.

Product overview

YWCA Montreal is a multi-service non-profit organization offering a comprehensive portfolio of programs and services for women and girls in Montreal. The organization provides housing services through Résidenti'ELLE (96-unit supportive housing) and community housing; employability services including Femmes vers l'emploi (FVE), Women's Work Integration Program (WWIP), Orientation et service en emploi (OSE), and s'Entreprendre entrepreneurship program; legal information services through the Clinique d'information juridique and Parours Justice; community services including income tax clinic and thrift boutique (Fringues); youth services with workshops on consent, relationships, and skills; caregiver support programs; and advocacy initiatives. The organization celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2025, having been founded in 1875.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Fondation du Y des femmes de Montréal (Women's Y Foundation): Affiliated foundation that handles fundraising, donations, and major events including the Prix Femmes de mérite awards.
• Résidenti'ELLE
• Fringues boutique-friperie
• Femmes vers l'emploi (FVE)
• Women's Work Integration Program (WWIP)

Products and services

• Résidenti'ELLE A 96-unit supportive housing project offering psychosocial and community support tailored to women who have experienced violence, women facing challenges, single women, single mothers, and caregivers.
• Femmes vers l'emploi (FVE) French-language employment integration program helping women who have taken a career break or are newcomers to Quebec find employment, with information sessions and cohort-based training.
• Women's Work Integration Program (WWIP) English-language version of the women's work integration program helping women who have taken a career break or are newcomers to Quebec find employment.
• Orientation et service en emploi (OSE) Employment orientation and services program providing guidance and support for job seekers.
• s'Entreprendre Entrepreneurship program helping women start their own businesses.
• Clinique d'information juridique Free legal information clinic providing guidance on legal rights and recourses, staffed by volunteer law students.
• Parcours Justice Program helping individuals navigate the justice system with greater confidence.
• Clinique d'impôts Free income tax preparation clinic helping community members with their tax returns.
• Fringues boutique-friperie Thrift boutique selling donated clothing and accessories, with proceeds supporting YWCA programs.
• Logements communautaires Community housing units offering affordable housing options for women in need.
• Services jeunesse Programs for young people including workshops on consent, relationships, diversity, and entrepreneurship skills.
• Soutien aux proches aidantes Support services and programming for family caregivers, including wellness activities and resources.

Quantifiable outcome

• 96 units of supported housing delivered through Résidenti'ELLE (2026)
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• YWCA CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational YWCA movement affiliation providing shared advocacy platform, national campaign coordination, and movement-wide standards for serving women and girls.
• Services Québec (MESS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment partner setting eligibility criteria for employment programs. YWCA Montreal delivers employability programs (Femmes vers l'emploi) that must meet MESS eligibility requirements for participants.
• CLSCs and local health networkscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocal community health service centres (CLSCs) refer clients to YWCA programs and collaborate on service delivery for women in Montreal.
• Local employment centres (CLEs)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEmployment service centres that refer women to YWCA employability programs and collaborate on employment integration services.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Chez Doris: Montreal women's day centre providing drop-in support, meals, and basic needs assistance to vulnerable women. Directly comparable as a Montreal-based non-profit serving similar vulnerable women populations through community-based programming.
• YWCA Halifax: Atlantic Canadian YWCA delivering women-focused housing, child care, and employment services. Comparable as a mid-sized Canadian YWCA affiliate operating in a single metropolitan market.
• YWCA Vancouver: Western Canadian YWCA providing housing, employment, and advocacy services for women and girls. Comparable in offering an integrated continuum of women-focused services across housing, employability, and child care.
• Native Women's Shelter of Montreal: Montreal emergency shelter and support services organization for Indigenous women and their children. Comparable as a Montreal-based non-profit addressing housing instability and violence against women, with overlapping referral networks with YWCA Montreal.
• YWCA Hamilton: Ontario-based YWCA providing women-focused housing, employment, and youth services. Comparable as a sister Canadian YWCA affiliate operating an integrated service platform with a similar mix of housing and employability programming.
• Auberge Madeleine: Montreal women's shelter providing emergency housing and follow-up support for women experiencing domestic violence. Comparable as a Montreal non-profit operating residential capacity for women survivors of violence, an overlapping service line with Résidenti'ELLE.
• YWCA Canada: National umbrella organization of the YWCA movement in Canada. Directly comparable as the parent affiliation body coordinating advocacy, standards, and fundraising across Canadian YWCAs, including YWCA Montreal.
• YWCA Toronto: Largest Canadian YWCA offering a comparable multi-service portfolio including women's housing, employment programs, and youth services in a major Canadian metro. Closest large-market analogue to YWCA Montreal's integrated service model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/ydesfemmesmtl
• Facebookfacebook.com/YdesfemmesMontreal
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/y-des-femmes
• Instagraminstagram.com/ydesfemmesmtl

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 YWCA Montreal