Calgary Flames Foundation

What Calgary Flames Foundation does

The Calgary Flames Foundation is a registered charitable foundation operating as the philanthropic arm of Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation (CSEC), the owner of the Calgary Flames NHL franchise and four additional professional sports teams (Calgary Wranglers, Calgary Stampeders, Calgary Hitmen, Calgary Roughnecks). Founded in 1980 alongside the team's arrival in Calgary and formally operating since 1983, the Foundation invests in Southern Alberta communities across three pillars: health and wellness, education, and grassroots sports. It does not sell products or services; instead, it raises funds through signature annual events (Celebrity Poker Tournament, Celebrity Charity Golf Classic, Crowchild Classic), 50/50 draws at Scotiabank Saddledome, corporate sponsorships, and direct donations, then distributes those funds through a network of 30+ partner charities and direct programs.

The Foundation operates a portfolio of branded programs including Reading...Give It A Shot! (literacy, over 1 million students reached since 1995), EvenStrength (hockey registration financial assistance since 1998), HEROS and SuperHEROS (free hockey for at-risk and disabled youth), Rotary Flames House (Alberta's only free-standing pediatric hospice, opened 2009), Hockey Talks (mental health awareness, over $600,000 donated since 2014), and the CSEC Inclusion Program (launched August 2021, $4 million cumulative commitment targeting adapted sport, LGBTQ+, girls/women, and BIPOC communities). It has invested over $70 million into Southern Alberta communities since 1980, with annual donations exceeding $4.5 million.

Business model mechanics are donation- and event-driven rather than revenue-generating. The Foundation has no proprietary technology stack, no software product, and no AI/ML capabilities; its core assets are brand affiliation with the Calgary Flames franchise, athlete ambassador access, game-night venue access at Scotiabank Saddledome, and a multi-decade track record that underwrites donor and corporate sponsor confidence. It is governed by a Chairman (Jeff McCaig) and led day-to-day by an Executive Director (Candice Goudie), and operates as a private nonprofit subsidiary of CSEC rather than an independent grant-making entity.

Name

Calgary Flames Foundation

Legal name

Calgary Flames Foundation

Website

https://calgaryflamesfoundation.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Calgary Flames Foundation is a nonprofit charitable arm of CSEC (Calgary Flames NHL owner) that raises and distributes funds to health, education, and grassroots sports programs across Southern Alberta, delivering over $4.5 million annually through 30+ charity partners and a portfolio of branded community programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Charitable Foundation and Community Programs

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGAKAA

Private Foundations

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Philanthropy, Foundations & Grantmaking

SECONDARYMPAKALAJ

Cause, Community & CSR-Linked Sports Partnerships (Foundations, Youth Programs)

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Sports (Leagues, Teams, Events, Venues)/Sports Sponsorship & Endorsements

Keywords

• Community charitable foundation
• Youth sports programs
• Health wellness initiatives
• Education literacy programs
• Fundraising events

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, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: The Calgary Flames Foundation raises funds through a portfolio of signature annual events including the Celebrity Poker Tournament, Celebrity Charity Golf Classic, Crowchild Classic, and Flames 50/50 draws. It also receives direct donations via CanadaHelps.org and corporate sponsorships tied to game-night initiatives. All proceeds fund health and wellness, education, and grassroots sports programs for Southern Albertans.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Calgary Flames Foundation is a charitable foundation that raises funds through annual events, 50/50 draws, and corporate sponsorships to support community programs across three pillars: health and wellness, education, and grassroots sports. It distributes funds and grants to 30+ partner charities and delivers direct programs in Southern Alberta, including youth hockey access, literacy programs, mental health initiatives, and pediatric hospice support. Since 1980, the Foundation has invested over $70 million into Southern Alberta communities.

Product overview

The Calgary Flames Foundation is a charitable organization operating as a single unified foundation focused on community support rather than a technology platform. The foundation offers a portfolio of community programs across three core pillars: Health and Wellness (including Rotary Flames House, Hockey Talks mental health initiative, and PEER Program for kids with cancer), Education (including Reading...Give It A Shot! literacy program reaching 1M+ students, CGY Champs online learning platform, and post-secondary scholarships), and Grassroots Sports (including HEROS/Super HEROS hockey programs, EvenStrength financial assistance, Flames Sports Bank equipment access, and Jr. Flames introductory programs). The foundation also manages special initiatives including the CSEC Inclusion Program supporting diverse communities, and operates fundraising events such as the Celebrity Poker Tournament, Golf Classic, and 50/50 draws. These programs are delivered through partnerships with organizations like YMCA, KidSport Calgary, Hockey Calgary, and various educational institutions, rather than through a unified software product or platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CGY Champs: Classroom Champions program featuring 140 videos from CSEC athletes for educators and students K-8 focusing on goal setting, resilience, and teamwork
• Johnny's Elites
• HEROS
• SuperHEROS
• Hockey Talks

Products and services

• CGY Champs An online Classroom Champions program featuring 140 exclusive videos from Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation athletes, providing K-8 students in Southern Alberta with lessons on goal setting, resilience, emotional awareness, teamwork, and community building. Presented by Desjardins Insurance.
• CGY Crew (Flames Crew) A classroom-based program connecting students with Calgary Flames players for mentorship and educational content on life skills and community engagement.
• Flames/YMCA Grade 6 Program A 13-month YMCA membership offered at no cost to every Grade 6 student in Calgary, promoting health and wellness among youth. Delivered in partnership with YMCA Calgary.
• HEROS Hockey Program A program utilizing hockey as a catalyst for at-risk youth, providing free mentorship and development opportunities through HEROS Hockey Society.
• SuperHEROS Hockey Program A free program open to youth ages 7-17 with cognitive and physical challenges, using hockey to build skills and community. SuperHEROS season-ending games feature Flames Alumni.
• EvenStrength Program A program removing barriers to hockey participation since 1998 by providing financial assistance for registration fees, delivered in partnership with KidSport Calgary and Hockey Calgary.
• Flames Sports Bank A program helping kids and families access used sports equipment at no cost where financial need exists in Southern Alberta.
• Hockey Talks An annual mental health awareness initiative dedicating a game night to mental health topics and supporting mental health resources, having donated over $600,000 since 2014 in partnership with United Way of Calgary and Area.
• CSEC Inclusion Program A sport inclusion initiative launched in August 2021 as a $2 million investment over four years, supporting adapted sport, LGBTQ+, girls and women, and visible minority communities, with over 4,800 youth impacted. Extended with additional $2 million in 2025.
• Reading...Give It A Shot! A literacy initiative rewarding students for reading with collectible Calgary Flames hockey cards, reaching over 1 million students since inception in 1995. Delivered in partnership with The Educational Partnership Foundation (TEPF).
• Scholarships Program Post-secondary scholarships provided to students at University of Calgary, Mount Royal University, SAIT, Lethbridge Polytechnic, University of Lethbridge, Medicine Hat College, and Red Deer Polytechnic.
• Johnny's Elites - Rebecca Johnston Girls Hockey Camp A camp led by 3-time Olympic gold medalist Rebecca Johnston focusing on female hockey players aged 11-13, with three days of on-ice instruction, dryland training, and classroom sessions.
• Alumni Hockey School A youth hockey camp providing over 6 hours of on-ice instruction from Calgary Flames Alumni members, held at WinSport arena for youth aged 7-12. Registration fee of $250 per participant.
• Flames 50/50 A fundraising lottery program operated at Calgary Flames home games where proceeds support various charitable initiatives and community programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $70 million invested in Southern Alberta communities since 1980
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers20 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation (CSEC)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Calgary Flames Foundation operates as the charitable arm of Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation, which owns the Calgary Flames, Calgary Wranglers, Calgary Stampeders, Calgary Hitmen, and Calgary Roughnecks. CSEC and the Foundation co-develop programs including the CSEC Inclusion Program ($2 million over 4 years, extended for another $2 million), CGY Champs, and game-night charitable activations.
• Desjardins InsurancecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerDesjardins Insurance is the presenting sponsor of CGY Champs, a Classroom Champions program delivered by the Foundation featuring 140 exclusive videos from CSEC athletes. The program provides social-emotional learning content for K-8 students in Southern Alberta.
• Classroom ChampionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClassroom Champions is a national registered charity that connects professional athletes with students using an online platform to teach life skills. The Foundation delivers the CGY Champs program through this partnership, featuring athlete videos on goal setting, resilience, teamwork, and community building.
• KidSport CalgarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKidSport Calgary partners with the Foundation's EvenStrength Program to provide financial assistance for youth hockey registration fees, removing cost barriers to sport participation since 1998.
• Hockey CalgarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHockey Calgary collaborates with the Foundation on the EvenStrength Program (financial assistance for registration), Community House League, and other grassroots hockey initiatives to make organized hockey affordable and accessible.
• The Educational Partnership Foundation (TEPF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTEPF is the Foundation's partner for the Reading... Give it a Shot! literacy program, which has reached over 1 million students since 1995. The program rewards students with collectible Calgary Flames cards for logging reading minutes and has expanded across Alberta.
• YMCA CalgarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Foundation partners with YMCA Calgary on the Grade 6 Program (free 13-month YMCA membership for every Grade 6 student in Calgary) and the Lace Up Newcomer program providing sport access to newcomer youth.
• HEROS Hockey SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHEROS Hockey operates free hockey programs for at-risk youth (HEROS) and youth with cognitive and physical challenges (SuperHEROS), ages 7-17. All HEROS programs are completely free and supported by the Foundation. SuperHEROS season-ending games feature Flames Alumni.
• Kids Cancer Care FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Foundation has supported Kids Cancer Care's PEER Program (evidence-based exercise for children undergoing or recovering from cancer treatment) annually. The Foundation made a $1 million donation to build Camp Kindle 10 years ago and donated $100,000 in 2024 for Camp Kindle expansion.
• Alberta Children's Hospital FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Foundation helped fund the construction of Rotary Flames House — Alberta's only free-standing pediatric hospice — opened in 2009. The Foundation continues annual fundraising and support for the hospice, which provides respite and end-of-life care for children with complex medical conditions.
• Renfrew Educational ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Foundation announced a $1.5 million donation to support construction of a $30 million K-12 school for students with significant disabilities in Bearspaw, expected to open in 2027. The school will accommodate 250 students and feature over 20 specialized rooms.
• APPLE Schools FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Foundation partnered with APPLE Schools to expand the school health program to four schools in Southern Alberta, including two schools in Medicine Hat and two in Calgary, empowering school communities to lead healthier lives.
• Cerebral Palsy Kids and FamiliesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe annual Alumni Masters Tournament benefits Cerebral Palsy Kids and Families. Over 11 years, the partnership has provided adapted bikes to over 2,000 kids with physical disabilities. The Adapted Bike and Equipment Program is the largest of its kind in North America.
• Variety – The Children's CharityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVariety's Volt Hockey program — which allows participants with limited upper mobility to play an adapted form of hockey — receives Foundation support as part of the annual community grant program.
• Parks Foundation CalgaryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Foundation partners with Parks Foundation Calgary annually to build accessible playgrounds, bicycle pump tracks, and outdoor rinks in Calgary. This partnership delivered the Ken King Courts pickleball and sport court facility at Sandy Beach Park.
• United Way of Calgary and AreacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnited Way of Calgary is the presenting partner of the annual Hockey Talks game. United Way supports 29 agencies in Calgary offering mental health services, benefiting over 61,000 people in 2022. The Foundation has donated over $600,000 to mental health programming since 2014.
• Mayfair DiagnosticsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMayfair Diagnostics is the presenting sponsor of the annual Hockey Fights Cancer Night at Scotiabank Saddledome, supporting cancer awareness and fundraising for NHL's Hockey Fights Cancer initiative.
• ATB (Presenting Sponsor of Alumni Masters Tournament)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerATB is the presenting sponsor of the Calgary Flames Alumni Masters Tournament, a 30-year annual charity golf event that has raised over $3 million for Cerebral Palsy Kids and Families.
• OPA! Of GreeceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOPA! Of Greece is the presenting sponsor of the annual Calgary Flames Alumni Hockey School, a youth hockey camp providing on-ice instruction from Flames Alumni members.
• Great ClipsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGreat Clips is the presenting sponsor of the 6th Annual Calgary Flames Alumni Toy Drive. Great Clips provides collection boxes at all 20 Calgary locations and supports the annual holiday toy drive benefiting families in need.
• Whitecap Resources Inc.minorGTM or Marketing PartnerWhitecap Resources Inc. is a corporate sponsor of the Calgary Flames Alumni Toy Drive, supporting the annual initiative to provide holiday joy to families in Southern Alberta.
• APNA HockeyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAPNA Hockey is a South Asian hockey program based in Alberta, supported by the Foundation. The Foundation and NHL partner with APNA to run First Shift Programs introducing South Asian families to hockey. A portion of the 50/50 proceeds from the South Asian Celebration Game supports APNA youth programming.
• ScotiabankcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerScotiabank is the presenting sponsor of the South Asian Celebration Game and the Celebrity Charity Golf Classic. Scotiabank Saddledome, the team's home arena, also carries the Scotiabank name, further embedding the partnership.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• KidSport Canada: National Canadian nonprofit that removes financial barriers to youth sport participation. Directly comparable mission to the EvenStrength and Sports Bank programs at Calgary Flames Foundation, and operates as one of the foundation's charity partners.
• Right To Play: International nonprofit using sport and play to educate and empower children facing adversity. Comparable in using sport as a development tool for at-risk youth, akin to HEROS and SuperHEROS programs supported by the Calgary Flames Foundation.
• Hockey Helps (Hockey Humanitarian Award / Hockey Gives Back): Canadian hockey-community charitable initiative coordinating hockey-related philanthropy. Adjacent ecosystem participant that complements NHL team foundations like Calgary Flames Foundation rather than competing with them directly.

Direct peers

• Toronto Maple Leafs Foundation: The charitable arm of the Toronto Maple Leafs NHL franchise. Comparable as one of Canada's largest NHL team foundations with multi-million-dollar annual giving across health, education, and youth sport initiatives, supported by corporate sponsors and game-night activations at Scotiabank Arena.
• Winnipeg Jets True North Foundation: The charitable foundation associated with the Winnipeg Jets NHL franchise and True North Sports & Entertainment. Comparable mid-sized Canadian NHL team foundation with youth-focused health, education, and hockey programming.
• Montreal Canadiens Children's Foundation: The charitable arm of the Montreal Canadiens NHL franchise. Long-standing Canadian NHL team foundation with comparable programming mix (youth sport access, education, health) and signature annual fundraising events tied to game-night activations.
• Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation: The charitable arm of Edmonton's NHL franchise. Closest comparable to Calgary Flames Foundation: same country (Canada), same league, same donor base profile (Alberta), and a near-identical mix of health, education, and grassroots hockey programming for youth.
• Vancouver Canucks for Kids Fund: The charitable foundation of the Vancouver Canucks NHL franchise. Similar Western Canadian NHL team foundation model with health, education, and grassroots sport programs, including partnerships with Canucks alumni and game-night fundraising activations.
• Calgary Stampeders Foundation: The charitable arm of the CFL Calgary Stampeders, also operated under Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation. Operates in the same city and corporate parent ecosystem as Calgary Flames Foundation, sharing many of the same board members, sponsors, and fundraising infrastructure.
• Ottawa Senators Foundation: The charitable arm of the Ottawa Senators NHL franchise. Canadian NHL team foundation operating in a single metropolitan region, focusing on youth health, wellness, education, and grassroots sport programming — closely mirroring the Calgary Flames Foundation's mandate and structure.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/FlamesFdn
• Instagraminstagram.com/flamesfoundation
• Facebookfacebook.com/flamesfdn
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/calgary-flames-ambassadors

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Calgary Flames Foundation