WilderFutures Institute

What WilderFutures Institute does

WilderFutures Institute is a Calgary-based non-profit charitable organization founded on August 12, 2021 as the charitable arm of Wee Wild Ones, an early education centre. It operates exclusively in Calgary and Southern Alberta, delivering programs that address intersecting social issues through education, community mobilization, and fundraising. The organization runs four core programs: the annual Monster March fundraising campaign (transferred from Wee Wild Ones and supporting the Children's Cottage Society with $130,000+ cumulative since 2017); the Young Readers Program, a free book-grant initiative serving 30+ childcare centres, classrooms, and non-profits caring for children aged 6 months to 12 years; the alliedFutures Project, a five-phase Truth and Reconciliation educational toolkit and webinar series developed with Mount Royal University and the Urban Society for Aboriginal Youth (USAY); and the Good Ideas Incubator, which amplifies changemaking non-profits through multi-touchpoint fundraising support.

The organization does not operate a proprietary technology platform. Its digital infrastructure consists of a Squarespace website, a CauseVox fundraising registration portal, Eventbrite ticketing, an online interactive educational toolkit (alliedFutures Project), and standard social/email channels (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, monthly email digest). Content and curriculum are produced primarily through annual partnerships with Mount Royal University's Department of Child Studies (12 capstone students in 2021-2022, 15 in 2022-2023) and Calgary-based artist Katie Green, who serves as Creative Director for Monster March branding and the Youth Legacy Mural.

WilderFutures is funded entirely through donations, sponsorships, event registration fees (Monster March: $10 in 2021, $25 in 2022), merchandise sales, coupon books ($30), the Monster Market vendor admission ($5), and alliedFutures toolkit purchases ($100), with the substantial majority of gross proceeds passed through to beneficiary organizations (Children's Cottage Society, USAY). It is a registered Canadian non-profit with 11-50 employees, a board-governed structure, and a head office at 10 11A Street Northeast, Calgary. It has no venture capital or private equity sponsorship, no subsidiaries, and no disclosed revenue figures.

Name

WilderFutures Institute

Legal name

WilderFutures Institute

Website

https://wilderfutures.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

WilderFutures Institute is a Calgary-based non-profit founded in 2021 as the charitable arm of Wee Wild Ones, delivering education, reconciliation, and book-grant programs to families, educators, childcare organizations, and local businesses in Southern Alberta.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Non-profit community education programs

NAICS

Educational Support Services (6117), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

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

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGADAC

After-School, Tutoring & Academic Enrichment Nonprofits

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Education & Youth Development Nonprofits

Keywords

• Nonprofit education programs
• Community fundraising events
• Early childhood literacy
• Reconciliation education services
• Charitable grant programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Calgary

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Event-Based Fundraising: Primary revenue stream through the annual Monster March campaign. Participants pay registration fees ($10 in 2021, $25 in 2022), purchase merchandise, coupon books, and make donations. Proceeds are directed to the Children's Cottage Society and other community beneficiaries.
2. alliedFutures Toolkit Sales: An initial investment of $100 grants businesses and individuals access to the alliedFutures online interactive educational toolkit and a 5-part webinar series. All funds raised are donated to Urban Society for Aboriginal Youth (USAY).
3. Donations and Grants: The organization relies on donations, sponsorships from local businesses, and partner contributions. Sponsors include Sagium, Kinsted, Wildrose Brewery, and others who contribute to programs and events.
4. Merchandise and Product Sales: Sale of limited edition Monster March merchandise, coupon books, and prints. All proceeds go toward fundraising goals for the Children's Cottage Society.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

WilderFutures Institute is a Calgary-based non-profit charitable organization that delivers community education programs addressing intersecting social issues. Its core offerings are: (1) the Young Readers Program, which distributes curated diverse book collections and live reading events free of charge to organizations caring for children 6 months to 12 years; (2) Monster March, an annual month-long city-wide fundraising campaign with scavenger hunts, walks, vendor markets, and merchandise sales benefiting the Children's Cottage Society; (3) the alliedFutures Project, an educational fundraiser and reconciliation toolkit (with five-part webinar series) supporting the Urban Society for Aboriginal Youth; and (4) the Good Ideas Incubator, which amplifies and supports fundraising campaigns for community changemakers and aligned non-profits.

Product overview

WilderFutures Institute is a single, unified charitable non-profit organization offering community-focused educational programs rather than a technology product platform. Its core programs include the Young Readers Program (book grants for children), Monster March (annual fundraising campaign), alliedFutures Project (Truth and Reconciliation educational toolkit), and Good Ideas Incubator (fundraising partnership program). These programs are educational and community-service oriented rather than technology products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• alliedFutures Project: An educational fundraiser and toolkit focused on Truth and Reconciliation, created in partnership with Urban Society for Aboriginal Youth and Mount Royal University.
• Young Readers Program
• Good Ideas Incubator
• Monster March

Products and services

• Young Readers Program A grant program that provides free curated diverse book collections and live reading events to childcare centres, classrooms, and non-profit organizations serving children 6 months to 12 years. Recipients must demonstrate financial need and report on resource implementation. Up to 30 organizations receive seasonal collections each year.
• Monster March An annual month-long city-wide fundraising campaign featuring scavenger hunts, a 3km walk, a vendor market (Monster Market), and merchandise sales. Proceeds benefit the Children's Cottage Society's Caring Together Capital Campaign to build a new Child and Family Centre in Montgomery, Calgary.
• alliedFutures Project An educational fundraiser focused on Truth and Reconciliation, delivered as an online interactive toolkit across five phases plus a five-part webinar series. Businesses and individuals access the toolkit with a $100 initial investment, with all proceeds donated to the Urban Society for Aboriginal Youth (USAY).
• Good Ideas Incubator

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $130,000 raised for Children's Cottage Society since 2017
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 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 and minor.

• SagiumcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2022Sagium is a financial services company in Calgary. They co-sponsored the Young Readers Spring 2022 collection on Indigenous History & Culture. Sagium and Kinsted also co-sponsored the Youth Legacy Mural and Monster March campaign in 2022. They are described as having four pillars of giving: Mental Health, Athletics, Kids and Education.
• Kinsted (Kinsted Wealth)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2022Kinsted Wealth co-sponsored the Young Readers Spring 2022 collection alongside Sagium. They also co-sponsored the Youth Legacy Mural and Monster March campaign. Their mission aligns with WilderFutures' values around community giving and supporting children and families.
• Wee Wild OnescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 August 2021WilderFutures is the charitable arm of Wee Wild Ones, a Calgary-based early education centre. WilderFutures was launched to extend Wee Wild Ones' impact beyond its facility walls, bringing values of diversity, inclusivity, and environmental stewardship to the broader community. Wee Wild Ones originated the Monster March in 2017, which was transferred to WilderFutures management in 2021.
• Calgary Public LibrarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCalgary Public Library provides venue and programming support for Young Readers Live Reading events. Library staff co-host events and facilitate land acknowledgements. Partnered on all three 2022 live reading events (Indigenous History & Culture, Love/Identity/Pride, Mindfulness/Kindness/Empathy).
• Owl's Nest BooksminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBook partner for the Young Readers Program, providing curated book selections for the grant program across all three 2022 seasonal collections.
• Indigo Love for Reading FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnered with WilderFutures for the Fall 2022 Young Readers collection on Mindfulness, Empathy & Kindness. The foundation provides books to Canadian children in need.
• Tiny TimberminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCalgary-based hand-crafted toque company that sponsors the Fall Young Readers Program. For every toque sold, one dollar goes toward mental health initiatives in Calgary.
• Wee Wild Ones (as sponsor)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsored the Summer 2022 Young Readers collection (Love, Identity & Pride) as part of the Wildrose community partner network.
• Children's Cottage SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary beneficiary of WilderFutures' Monster March annual fundraising campaign. The Children's Cottage Society has received over $130,000 from Monster March since 2017. WilderFutures aims to raise $100,000 for the Cottage's Caring Together Capital Campaign to build a new Child and Family Centre in Montgomery.
• Urban Society for Aboriginal Youth (USAY)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner beneficiary for the alliedFutures Project. WilderFutures partnered with USAY and MRU to create an educational fundraiser focused on truth and reconciliation. $10,000 was raised and donated to USAY. The project includes an online toolkit and 5-part webinar series led by community members, settlers, and knowledge keepers.
• Mount Royal University (MRU) - Department of Child StudiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual capstone partnership where MRU Child Studies undergraduate students develop projects for WilderFutures and Wee Wild Ones. 12 students in 2021-2022; 15 students in 2022-2023. Student groups focused on curriculum, team experiences/wellness, and WilderFutures programming. Students developed the alliedFutures toolkit and wellness manuals.
• Currie / Canada Lands CompanycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCurrie (a Canada Lands Company community) was the host location for Monster March 2022. The community provided behind-the-scenes support for the month-long fundraiser, including hosting the scavenger hunt, 3km march route, and Youth Legacy Mural installation.
• Wildrose BreweryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDedicated their Patron's Pint for September 2022 to the Monster March fundraiser, donating $0.25 from each pint sold to the campaign.
• Carbon Graphics GroupminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPrint sponsor for Monster March 2022, providing all print materials from start to finish for the campaign.
• Holy Cow Gelato & DonutsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCreated a limited edition Cookie Monster ice cream flavor for October 2021 and 2022, with a portion of proceeds donated to Monster March and Children's Cottage Society.
• Coyote T-ShirtsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCreated the Monster March 2022 merchandise lineup, providing customizable apparel and promotional products for the campaign.
• 2C MediaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVideo content partner for Monster March 2022, capturing content for the 3km Walk-a-Thon and Monster Market events.
• HelcimminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal Calgary tech startup and Monster March 2022 partner. Helcim is on a mission to be the world's most loved payments company and actively supports the Calgary community through partnerships and donations.
• HT PhotographyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPhotography partner for Monster March 2022, attending the Monster Market and capturing family portraits throughout the event.
• CuriocityminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCalgary-based digital media publishing company and Monster March 2022 partner. Curiocity creates curated local content and helped amplify the campaign through community connections.
• Katie GreencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAward-winning Calgary-based visual artist and Creative Director for Monster March. Katie Green transformed children's monster artwork into the campaign's signature watercolour characters and designed the Youth Legacy Mural installed at the Wee Wild Ones Currie location. Her work includes the merch designs, logo, and large-scale mural.
• Market CollectiveminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCalgary artisan market event where WilderFutures sold remaining Monster March merchandise with 100% of proceeds going to the Children's Cottage Caring Together Capital Campaign (December 10-12).
• Women's Centre of CalgaryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for the 2022-2023 alliedFutures Project capstone group. The group is developing an educational toolkit focused on mental health, EDI, and workplace intersection in collaboration with the Women's Centre.
• Ave Barber ShopminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDonated 100% of sales from every junior haircut during October 2021 to the Children's Cottage as part of Monster March 2021.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Frontier College: Canadian national literacy nonprofit focused on tutoring and learning programs for children, youth, and adults. Comparable mission and program model to WilderFutures' literacy and educational-enrichment work, though with national rather than Calgary scope.
• Indigo Love of Reading Foundation: National Canadian foundation funding literacy and book access for children in need. Direct functional peer for the Young Readers book-grant program and a listed partner of WilderFutures.
• Calgary Reads: Calgary-based literacy nonprofit that is a recipient of WilderFutures' Young Readers grants. Directly comparable as a Calgary-area children's literacy and book-access organization serving families and educators.
• Urban Society for Aboriginal Youth (USAY): Calgary-based Indigenous youth-serving nonprofit that is a strategic partner and beneficiary of WilderFutures' alliedFutures Project. Comparable mission around Indigenous youth empowerment and reconciliation in Southern Alberta.
• Children's Cottage Society: Primary beneficiary of WilderFutures' Monster March fundraising and core partner. A Calgary nonprofit providing crisis nursery and family support — the recipient organization for the bulk of WilderFutures' funds raised.
• Wee Wild Ones: Parent organization and Calgary-based early education centre from which WilderFutures was launched as the charitable arm. Operates the same mission lens (diversity, inclusion, environmental stewardship) and shares brand, staff, and beneficiaries — a direct organizational peer.

Broad incumbents

• Indspire: National Indigenous-led charity funding Indigenous education (bursaries, scholarships, programs). Broader-scale incumbent in the Indigenous-education space that WilderFutures' alliedFutures Project partially overlaps with.
• United Way Calgary and Area: Large regional fundraising nonprofit in the same Calgary geography. Comparable community-led fundraising model and broad non-profit/charitable funding role, though at significantly larger scale.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Canada: National youth-development nonprofit with programs serving children and families. Comparable mission in youth education and inclusion, though operating at a much broader scale and across many Canadian communities.
• Right To Play International: Canadian-headquartered international nonprofit using sport and play for child education and development. Comparable use of program-based funding and partnerships to deliver educational outcomes, though at a much larger global scale.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/wilderfutures
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wilderfutures-institute
• Instagraminstagram.com/wilderfutures

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 WilderFutures Institute