WIN House

What WIN House does

WIN House (legally Edmonton Women's Shelter Ltd.) is a registered Canadian charitable nonprofit organization operating in Edmonton, Alberta, that provides emergency and second-stage shelter, crisis intervention, and support services to women, children, and non-binary individuals fleeing gender-based violence. Founded in 1968 and incorporated in 1973, the organization operates three physical shelter locations — two 24-hour emergency shelters (WIN I and WIN II) and one second-stage shelter (WIN III) — with combined capacity of 71 beds. WIN III is distinguished as the only shelter of its kind in Canada serving immigrant, refugee, and trafficked women with no or precarious immigration status. Service delivery is supplemented by a 24/7 crisis helpline (780-479-0058), on-site nursing through a StreetWorks partnership, hot meals, a Pet Safe-Keeping Program, WIN School for resident children, transportation, counselling, equine therapy, cultural teachings, and community referrals.

The core 'technology' underlying WIN House's service model is operational rather than digital: a trauma-informed, low-barrier care framework delivered by 51–100 staff and a 10-member volunteer Board of Directors, with no proprietary software platform, AI components, or API integrations disclosed. The organization is a member of the Alberta Council of Women's Shelters (ACWS), a Living Wage Employer, and holds Charitable Registration #107283301RR0001.

WIN House's business model is philanthropy-based: services are provided free of charge to residents, and operating revenue is drawn from individual donations (one-time and monthly), corporate donorship and event sponsorships (e.g., the annual Pickleball for Charity tournament with Subaru), third-party community fundraisers, an invested endowment fund, and legacy/gift planning (bequests, securities, life insurance). Grant funding from the Edmonton Community Foundation and inclusion in Rogers Birdies for Kids provide institutional anchors. Go-to-market is community-led via the helpline, healthcare and social-service referrals (StreetWorks, Alberta Health Services), word-of-mouth among survivors, and a multi-channel donor engagement strategy spanning Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, YouTube, email newsletters, and the winhouse.org website. In FY 2025–2026, the organization reported sheltering 312 residents, answering 4,231 crisis calls, and providing 844 hours of childcare.

Name

WIN House

Legal name

Edmonton Women's Shelter Ltd.

Website

https://winhouse.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1968

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

WIN House is a registered Canadian nonprofit operating three shelters (71 beds total) in Edmonton, Alberta, providing 24/7 emergency and second-stage housing, crisis support, and trauma-informed services to women, children, and non-binary individuals fleeing gender-based violence, funded entirely through philanthropy and community partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Domestic Violence Shelter Services

NAICS

Temporary Shelters (624221), Other Community Housing Services (624229), Child and Youth Services (62411)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Domestic Violence & Abuse Support Services (BPAGAEAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services (BPAIANAC), Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB)

Keywords

• Domestic violence shelter
• Emergency housing services
• Crisis intervention support
• Gender-based violence services
• Second-stage housing

Headquarters

HQ city

Edmonton

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: One-time and monthly donations from individual supporters provide direct funding for shelter operations, programs, and services. Monthly donors offer recurring revenue for consistent operational support.
2. Corporate Donorships and Sponsorships: Corporate partners provide financial support through donations, cause-related marketing, event sponsorships, employee matching programs, and payroll giving initiatives.
3. Third-Party Fundraising Events: Community members and organizations host independent fundraisers (bake sales, fitness events, online campaigns) with proceeds directed to WIN House.
4. Endowment Fund: Contributions to the WIN House Endowment are invested, with income generated supporting long-term sustainability of services for survivors of gender-based violence.
5. Legacy/Gift Planning: Bequests through wills, life insurance beneficiary designations, and gifts of securities provide future funding commitments from donors.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

WIN House operates three shelters in Edmonton (WIN I, WIN II, and WIN III) providing emergency and second-stage housing for women, children, and non-binary individuals fleeing gender-based violence, with a combined capacity of 71 beds. Services are delivered free of charge and include a 24/7 crisis helpline, on-site nursing, meals, childcare (WIN School), transportation, counselling, cultural teachings, restorative yoga, equine therapy, and a pet safe-keeping program. The organization operates on a low-barrier, trauma-informed model addressing poverty, food insecurity, and addiction alongside abuse.

Product overview

WIN House operates three shelters in Edmonton as a single unified service offering: two emergency shelters (WIN I and WIN II) providing immediate 24-hour crisis accommodation, and one second-stage shelter (WIN III) offering longer-term support for newcomers with precarious immigration status. Combined capacity is 71 beds. The shelters are supported by a 24/7 helpline, comprehensive on-site services (nurse, meals, childcare, transportation, WIN School for children), programming (counselling, cultural teachings, therapy), and a Pet Safe-Keeping Program. Community-facing resources include Healthy Relationship, Safety Planning, and Personal Rights guides. All services are guided by a trauma-informed and low-barrier approach.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Emergency Shelters (WIN I and WIN II) Two 24-hour emergency shelters providing immediate safe accommodation for women, children, and non-binary individuals fleeing gender-based violence. The shelters offer crisis response, intervention, and temporary shelter services with a total capacity of 71 beds across all three WIN House facilities.
• Second-Stage Shelter (WIN III) A second-stage shelter offering longer-term housing with extended support and referrals for newcomers to Canada with no or precarious immigration status. WIN III provides safety, stability, and resources to support their journey forward and is the only shelter of its kind in Canada.
• 24/7 Crisis Helpline A round-the-clock crisis helpline (780-479-0058) providing immediate support, resources, and shelter intake coordination for individuals seeking safety from gender-based violence. The helpline answered 4,231 crisis calls in the 2025-2026 fiscal year.
• On-Site Resident Services Comprehensive on-site support for shelter residents including an on-site registered nurse five days a week via StreetWorks partnership, hot meals prepared by an on-site cook, WIN School for children, transportation services, community resources and referrals, and crisis intervention workers providing information and referrals to various community agencies.
• Pet Safe-Keeping Program Safe, temporary shelter for residents' pets while they stay at WIN House, allowing individuals to flee violence without abandoning their companions and removing pet ownership as a barrier to seeking safety.
• Therapeutic Shelter Programming Therapeutic and supportive activities for residents including restorative yoga, equine therapy, on-site counselling, pharmacy support services, cultural teachings, kids programming, and holiday activities to engage and support residents during their stay.

Quantifiable outcome

• 4,231 crisis calls answered in 2025-2026
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and supporting.

• StreetWorkscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with StreetWorks provides an on-site registered nurse five days a week at WIN House shelters, offering health education, resources, and one-on-one care for residents.
• Subaru (Rally Subaru Edmonton)flagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor of Pickleball for Charity event. Corporate partner supporting WIN House events and initiatives through sponsorship and cause-related marketing.
• IQ Tennis & Pickleball CentrecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerVenue partner for Pickleball for Charity tournament at 9230 163 St NW, Edmonton AB T5R 0A7. Provides facility for annual fundraising event.
• Digital LinksupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent sponsor and partner for Pickleball for Charity tournament.
• SummitDoorssupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent sponsor for Pickleball for Charity tournament.
• Field LawsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent sponsor for Pickleball for Charity tournament.
• IDC (Intelligent Display Control)supportingGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent sponsor for Pickleball for Charity tournament.
• ApollosupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent sponsor for Pickleball for Charity tournament.
• Kingsway MallsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner supporting WIN House through retail partnerships and community engagement.
• Rogers Birdies for KidscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerThrough the Rogers Charity Classic, Birdies for Kids program provides funding support for WIN House and other children's charities in the Edmonton area.
• Brookfield ResidentialsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner and community sponsor supporting WIN House initiatives.
• Royal Le Page Shelter FoundationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerNational shelter foundation supporting women's shelters across Canada, including WIN House through fundraising and awareness initiatives.
• CollierssupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner in Edmonton supporting WIN House through community partnerships.
• Skyline QSsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner supporting WIN House.
• Rohit HomessupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner and homebuilder in Edmonton supporting WIN House.
• Endura PaintsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner providing support for WIN House.
• KIND Ice CreamsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerSupporting partner providing donations or sponsorships for WIN House events.
• AvanasupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerSupporting partner for WIN House.
• BOMA (Building Owners and Managers Association)supportingGTM or Marketing PartnerSupporting partner for WIN House through commercial real estate industry connections.
• Stahl PeterbiltsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerSupporting partner for WIN House.
• Goodwill AlbertacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWIN House partners with Goodwill to convert donated clothing into gift cards, giving residents the dignity and choice to shop for their own essentials while reducing storage needs.
• Alberta Council of Women's Shelters (ACWS)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerWIN House is a member of ACWS, a provincial organization representing and supporting women's shelters in Alberta. ACWS provides advocacy, resources, and collaborative opportunities for member shelters.
• Amazon Wish ListsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerAmazon Wish List allows donors to send needed items directly to WIN House shelters, supporting residents with personal items, household supplies, and other necessities.
• SkipTheDepotsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerBottle and can recycling pickup service where users can select WIN House as their charity of choice, converting recyclables into donations.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Ernestine's Women's Shelter: Montreal-based women's shelter offering emergency housing, second-stage housing, and support services for women and children experiencing domestic violence. Directly comparable in service delivery model.
• Gillian's Place: Niagara Region women's shelter providing emergency shelter, second-stage housing, and 24/7 crisis line for women and children fleeing abuse. Closely aligned in services, governance, and scale with WIN House.
• Interval House: Greater Toronto Area women's shelter providing emergency shelter, second-stage housing, counseling, and 24/7 crisis support for women and children fleeing abuse. Operates a comparable integrated GBV service model to WIN House.
• YWCA Edmonton: YWCA Edmonton operates women's housing, shelter, and support programs in the same city as WIN House, serving overlapping populations including women and families experiencing violence and homelessness. Directly comparable in mission, geography, and service mix.
• Calgary Women's Emergency Shelter: A women's emergency shelter in Calgary operating an analogous model of crisis lines, emergency beds, and second-stage housing for women and children fleeing domestic violence in the same province as WIN House.
• Atira Women's Resource Society: A British Columbia-based nonprofit operating multiple women's shelters, transition houses, and second-stage housing programs for women and children fleeing violence. Comparable in service breadth, low-barrier philosophy, and shelter network model.

Others

• Alberta Council of Women's Shelters (ACWS): Provincial network and advocacy body of which WIN House is a member. Not a direct operator but coordinates training, advocacy, and funding flows for Alberta women's shelters including WIN House.
• Royal LePage Shelter Foundation: National foundation that funds women's shelters across Canada, including WIN House. A key funding ecosystem participant rather than a direct service competitor.

Broad incumbents

• YWCA Canada: National umbrella organization operating women's shelters, housing, and gender equity programs across Canada. Comparable in mission and service categories but at a national scale rather than local shelter operator.

Regional players

• Nova House (Women's Resource Centre of Grand Prairie): Women's emergency shelter in northern Alberta providing similar crisis, shelter, and outreach services for women fleeing abuse. Comparable in scope, though smaller scale and not directly competing in the Edmonton market.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@WINHouseShelter
• Facebookfacebook.com/WIN-House-61550189992711
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/winhouseshelter
• Instagraminstagram.com/winhouseshelter
• TikToktiktok.com/@winhouseshelter
• Xx.com/WINHouseShelter

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 WIN House