Skipping Stone

Name

Skipping Stone

Legal name

Skipping Stone Foundation

Website

https://skippingstone.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Social Services

NAICS

Other Individual and Family Services (62419), Other Community Housing Services (624229)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth Housing, Foster Care & Wraparound Support (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAO)

akta.pro secondary industry

Housing Transition & Supported Living Navigation (EDAKANAK)

Keywords

• Community support services
• Affirming healthcare navigation
• Gender affirming programs
• Mental health peer support
• Trans housing services

Headquarters

HQ city

Calgary

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Relies on individual donations, corporate matching programs through Benevity, and event sponsorship. Services are provided free of charge to community members.
2. Merchandise Sales: Online store sells pronoun pins, pride merchandise, and clothing. All gender affirming gear is offered at cost with subsidy program available.
3. Event and Program Sponsorship: Corporate sponsorship of programs and events to support trans and gender diverse youth and families.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Skipping Stone provides free, community-led affirming care and support services to Two-Spirit, trans, and gender diverse youth, adults, and families across Alberta. Its core offerings include one-on-one community coaching, peer group programs, mental health programs (DBT Skills, Common Ground, Open Studio), affirming healthcare navigation, trans ID clinics, gender affirming gear, music and voice programs, fitness activities, education and workshops, a business affirming network, and Canada's first community-led Trans Housing Initiative with 21 permanent affordable homes. Services are delivered through a client-centred, collaborative model that assembles tailored support teams around each individual.

Product overview

Skipping Stone is a community organization offering a comprehensive suite of integrated services for Two-Spirit, trans, and gender diverse youth, adults, and families. Rather than a single software product, the organization provides an ecosystem of interconnected support services including Community Coaching (1-on-1 peer support), Community Group Programs (identity-specific and support groups), Affirming Healthcare navigation, Trans ID Clinics for legal document changes, Gender Affirming Gear provision, Music Programs, Mental Health programming (DBT Skills, Common Ground, Open Studio), Affirming Voice Classes, Fun & Fitness activities, the Trans Affirming Network (business directory), Education & Workshops, the Trans Housing Initiative, and a Lending Library. Services are delivered through a client-centred, collaborative approach and are free to access, with programs serving all ages from children as young as 6-7 to adults into their 60s-70s.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Community Coaching A depathologized, empowerment-focused 1-on-1 support program connecting Two-Spirit, trans, and gender diverse individuals with peer coaches who share lived experience to build resilience, connection, and improve mental health and wellbeing. Free of charge.
• Community Group Programs Peer groups for trans and gender diverse folks including identity-specific groups (Harmony Hearts, Open Hearts, Trans Fem Meetup, Strong Hearts, Flowing Hearts, Tender Hearts, Young Hearts), support groups (Top Surgery Support, Trans Neurodivergent Group), and family groups (Caring Hearts, Caregiver Meet Up, Hearts & Crafts).
• Trans ID Clinics Monthly in-person clinics in Calgary providing free assistance with name changes, gender marker amendments, and other ID document updates, including paperwork support and lawyer commissioning.
• DBT Skills Program A 10-week structured therapy program teaching DBT skills (mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional regulation, interpersonal effectiveness) for trans and gender diverse adults.
• Common Ground Program A free four-week program for Two-Spirit, trans, and gender diverse adults to explore practical tools for navigating social anxiety and building confidence and connection.
• Open Studio A free 8-week creative arts therapy program for trans and gender diverse youth ages 13-17, using various mediums including photography, collage, poetry, drawing, sculpture, and textile art.
• Affirming Voice Classes 8-week programs providing support and skill development for finding an affirming voice, including Affirming Voice I, II, III and Affirming Singing courses.
• Music Programs Music education and performance groups including Youth Choir, Youth Guitar & String Ensemble, Adult Band & Choir, and Creative Labs for ally, queer and trans folks of all ages, hosted at Anacrusis Music venue.
• Fun & Fitness Programs Physical activity events for trans and gender diverse community including Affirming Swims at Bowview Outdoor Pool, Affirming Yoga at Every Body Stronger, and Affirming Movement classes.
• Trans Board Game Nights Casual meetup for trans and gender diverse folks and their families to play board games and connect at D6 Tabletop Café.
• Trans Affirming Network A directory of local businesses committed to creating welcoming, inclusive spaces for trans and gender diverse folks, requiring members to implement nine inclusive practices.
• Education & Workshops Comprehensive education sessions delivered to businesses, non-profits, and governments on gender diversity, inclusion, and trans affirming practices, combining lived experience with evidence-based practices.
• Affirming Healthcare Navigation Connects clients with a network of healthcare providers offering affirming family physicians, hormone therapy (HRT), gender affirming surgeries, and injection teaching.
• Fundamental Needs & Systems Navigation Guides individuals through accessing government and non-profit services including income support, subsidy programs, affirming legal advice, and food and housing programs.
• Gender Affirming Gear Provides information, sales, and support around gender affirming items including binders, breastforms, gaffs, and packers. Includes a subsidy program for those facing financial barriers.
• Trans Housing Initiative Canada's first community-led Trans Housing Initiative offering 21 permanent, affordable homes in Northwest Calgary for Two-Spirit, trans, and gender diverse people, based on Housing First and Asset-Based Community Development models.
• Lending Library Extensive collection of books featuring trans and gender diverse authors, protagonists, and content, available to borrow for 30 days.

Quantifiable outcome

• Changed lives of over 10,000 individuals across Alberta in 6 years
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 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 and supporting.

• Alberta Health Services (AHS Sexual & Reproductive Health)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to provide occasional pop-up clinics for sexual and reproductive health services for trans and gender diverse community members.
• BenevitysupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate matching program that allows employees to double their charitable donations to Skipping Stone through their employer's workplace giving program.
• Anacrusis MusiccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMusic program venue hosting Youth Choir, Youth Guitar & String Ensemble, and Adult Band & Choir programs at their Calgary location.
• D6 Tabletop CafésupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerVenue partner for Trans Board Game Nights events, providing space for community connection through gaming.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• LGBT Youth Line: Ontario-based 2SLGBTQI+ youth peer-support line and online service offering confidential support and referrals. Comparable to Skipping Stone's youth-focused Community Coaching and group programming through a peer-led model.
• EGALE Canada: Canada's national 2SLGBTQI+ human rights organization. Directly comparable as a Canadian nonprofit advocating for and serving 2SLGBTQI+ communities through policy, education, and community support, overlapping with Skipping Stone's mission and population.
• Rainbow Railroad: Canadian nonprofit helping 2SLGBTQI+ individuals escape persecution and resettle safely. Comparable as a Canada-based 2SLGBTQI+ advocacy and direct-services organization with similar fundraising and brand-recognition profile.
• Point of Pride: International trans-led nonprofit providing direct services including gender-affirming gear, financial aid, and hormone therapy access. Directly comparable to Skipping Stone's gender-affirming gear program with subsidy model and community navigation support.
• PFLAG Canada: Canadian nonprofit providing peer support, education, and advocacy for parents, families, and allies of 2SLGBTQI+ individuals. Directly comparable to Skipping Stone's caregiver and family programming around affirming parenting and family support.
• Trans Lifeline: A peer-support hotline run by and for trans people, serving the U.S. and Canada. Comparable as a trans-led, peer-coaching service that complements Skipping Stone's Community Coaching model with a national crisis-support footprint.

Regional players

• QMUNITY: British Columbia's largest 2SLGBTQI+ community center, providing counseling, groups, education, and resources. Comparable as a multi-service LGBTQ+ community organization operating in a different Canadian province, with a similar integrated service model.
• The 519: Toronto-based City of Toronto agency serving 2SLGBTQI+ communities through programs, services, and community space. Comparable as a Canadian community-services organization with a similar holistic programming model, though based in Ontario.
• Calgary Outlink: Calgary-based center for the 2SLGBTQI+ community offering support groups, resources, and education. Most direct geographic peer to Skipping Stone, operating in the same city with overlapping community support and education mandates.

Broad incumbents

• The Trevor Project: The largest U.S.-based nonprofit focused on crisis intervention and suicide prevention for LGBTQ+ youth. Comparable as a high-profile LGBTQ+ youth services organization offering crisis support, education, and research at significantly greater national scale.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/skippingstoneca
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/skippingstoneca

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 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 Skipping Stone