THE AIDS COMMITTEE OF OTTAWA

What THE AIDS COMMITTEE OF OTTAWA does

The AIDS Committee of Ottawa (ACO) is a community-based, registered non-profit charitable organization founded in 1985 and headquartered at 19 Main Street, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. ACO provides HIV/AIDS support, prevention, education, and outreach services from an integrated anti-racism, anti-oppression social justice framework that promotes the holistic well-being of people living with, affected by, impacted by, and at risk of HIV/AIDS in Ottawa. Its service portfolio spans a physical drop-in center (The Living Room), one-on-one support and advocacy, harm reduction distribution (needle exchange, safer inhalation supplies, naloxone, drug checking reagent kits at $20 per kit), HIV self-testing (via the GetaKit.ca platform), PrEP and sexual health clinic services (including through the Gay Zone Gaie partnership with Centretown Community Health Centre), motivational interviewing, and population-specific programming for gay/bisexual/queer men, women, African-Caribbean-Black communities, ethnoculturally diverse MSM/trans men, and people who use drugs. The organization is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors and operates with approximately 40 staff across support services, education/prevention, and administration.

ACO's revenue model is anchored in multi-tier government grants — the Ontario Ministry of Health AIDS Bureau, the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), and the City of Ottawa — supplemented by charitable donations and fundraising events (Snowblower Gala, Scotiabank AIDS Walk for Life), with minimal earned income from drug checking kit fees and room rentals. Most direct services to clients are provided free of charge. Specific revenue figures are not publicly disclosed. ACO's strategic footprint is geographically concentrated in Ottawa, with services delivered through in-person drop-in, mobile outreach vans, bar/bathhouse outreach, online platforms, and partnerships with Ottawa Public Health, Bruce House, YMCA Ottawa, Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health, and others. The organization has no disclosed AI/ML capabilities, no proprietary technology products beyond its service-delivery websites, and operates as a single integrated service organization rather than a multi-product platform.

Name

THE AIDS COMMITTEE OF OTTAWA

Legal name

The AIDS Committee of Ottawa

Website

https://aco-cso.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The AIDS Committee of Ottawa is a community-based non-profit founded in 1985 providing HIV/AIDS support, prevention, education, harm reduction, and outreach services to people living with, affected by, and at risk of HIV in Ottawa, funded primarily by government grants and donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

HIV/AIDS Community Support Services

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Social Assistance (624), Human Rights Organizations (813311)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Sexual Health & STI/HIV Prevention Health Departments (HLAJAAAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

LGBTQ+ Rights & Advocacy Organizations (BPAGAFAE), Human Rights & Anti-Discrimination Organizations (BPAGAFAB)

Keywords

• HIV support services
• HIV prevention education
• Harm reduction services
• AIDS community outreach
• Sexual health services

Headquarters

HQ city

Ottawa

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: Primary funding from government sources including Ontario Ministry of Health (AIDS Bureau), Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), and City of Ottawa. Funding supports core operations, education/prevention programs, and support services.
2. Donations and Fundraising: Charitable donations from individuals, corporate sponsors, and fundraising events such as the annual Snowblower Gala and Scotiabank AIDS Walk for Life Ottawa.
3. Program Fees: Minimal fees for specific services such as drug checking reagent kits ($20 each with pay-what-you-can options) and room rentals to community organizations.

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The AIDS Committee of Ottawa (ACO) is a community-based non-profit organization that provides HIV/AIDS support, prevention, education, and outreach services to people living with, affected by, impacted by, and at risk of HIV/AIDS in Ottawa. Core offerings center on The Living Room drop-in center (practical assistance, social support, complementary therapies, food bank), one-on-one Support Services (advocacy, counselling, referrals), HIV testing and PrEP/PEP clinic access, harm reduction supply distribution (clean syringes, safer smoking supplies, naloxone, condoms), reagent drug checking kits, the Motivational Interviewing program for queer men, and culturally-targeted outreach programs for African-Caribbean-Black communities, women, and ethno-culturally diverse MSM and trans men.

Product overview

The AIDS Committee of Ottawa (ACO) is a community-based non-profit organization that provides HIV/AIDS support, prevention, education, and outreach services. ACO operates as a single integrated service organization rather than a platform-with-modules architecture. Its core offerings center on The Living Room (drop-in center), Support Services (one-on-one support, advocacy, referrals), and various Health Services (HIV/STI testing, PrEP clinic, harm reduction, drug testing, Motivational Interviewing program). The organization also delivers Outreach Services including Men's Outreach, Women's Outreach, the Women and HIV Prevention Initiative (WHAI), and MSM ethno-cultural resources. Additionally, ACO provides Social Groups (50+ Group, ACB Group, Women's Social, Gay Men's Social, 2SPLGBTQ+BIPOC Social), operates a Sexual Health Clinic, and offers Room Rentals for community use. Services operate from an integrated anti-racism anti-oppression social justice framework.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• The Living Room Drop-in Center A drop-in center at 19 Main Street, Ottawa providing practical assistance, social support, complementary therapies, food bank access, harm reduction materials, and social gatherings for people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS in Ottawa. Open Monday–Thursday 9:00am–4:00pm and Friday 9:00am–5:00pm.
• Support Services One-on-one support, advocacy, intake assessments, counselling, referrals to medical professionals, immigration support, housing support, ODSP/OSAP application assistance, and mental health counselling for people living with HIV/AIDS in Ottawa.
• HIV Self-Testing Kits (GetaKit.ca) Free HIV self-testing kits available online through getakit.ca for Ottawa residents to know their HIV status privately. Booking inquiries handled at [email protected] or (613) 219-1797, Mon–Fri 10am–4pm.
• HIV and STI Testing Coordination Referrals and information about HIV testing and other STI testing services in Ottawa, including anonymous testing, rapid testing, and full STI testing at partner clinics such as Gay Zone Gaie.
• Harm Reduction Program Provides harm reduction equipment including clean syringes, safer smoking supplies, disposal equipment, condoms, and naloxone kits; also supports Ottawa's centralized Needle Exchange Program and Safer Inhalation Program as a community partner.
• Drug Checking Service Distributes fentanyl test strips and reagent drug checking kits (Marquis, Mandellin, Mecke, Folin, Ehrlich) produced by TestKitPlus for detecting adulterants in substances. Kits priced at $20 each with limited pay-what-you-can options available upon request; cash only.
• Motivational Interviewing (MI) Program A 4-6 week one-on-one program supporting gay, bi, queer, and other men who have sex with men to have better sex lives, sexual relationships, and sexual health through motivational interviewing techniques.
• Sexual Health Clinic Full-service PrEP and sexual health clinic offering on-site lab tests, vaccines, STI treatment, and free HPV vaccination for all PrEP patients, operating on Monday evenings at ACO.
• PrEP Clinic Sexual health clinic offering PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) services with appointment booking available.
• Men's Outreach and Education Provides education, prevention, and support services in queer spaces including safer sex initiatives, harm reduction, condom distribution, and programming for queer men's health.
• Women's Outreach and HIV Prevention Women's outreach program supporting women living with, at risk of, or affected by HIV through educational presentations, support at detention centres including Ottawa Carleton Detention Centre, and health promotion at women's centres.
• Women and HIV Prevention Initiative (WHAI) Province-wide initiative to address increased HIV transmission in women by building capacity of local organizations and supporting women's HIV prevention needs.
• MSM Ethno-Cultural Resource Program Health promotion and prevention education for ethnically and culturally diverse MSM (men who have sex with men) and trans men through culturally targeted resources and community partnerships.
• Gay Zone Gaie Partnership Partnership with Centretown Community Health Centre providing a testing clinic specifically designed for men who have sex with men, including STI screening, HIV testing, and vaccinations.
• Social Groups Monthly social gatherings including 50+ Group, ACB (African-Caribbean-Black Canadian) Group, Women's Social, Gay Men's Social, and 2SPLGBTQ+BIPOC Social, providing warm meals and community connection.
• Room Rentals Rental of conference and meeting rooms at 19 Main Street location, available to community groups at various times throughout the week; rates available upon request.
• Complementary Therapies Monthly complementary therapies offered in The Living Room including foot care, Reiki, and haircuts for ACO clients.

Named customers4 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

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered supporting and core.

• McGill UniversitysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic research partnership for HIV/AIDS research and community-based research initiatives.
• Ottawa Public HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey public health partner for sexual health clinic services, anonymous HIV testing coordination, and harm reduction programs including needle exchange.
• Gay Zone Gaie (Centretown Community Health Centre)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerACO is a partner in Gay Zone Gaie, a testing clinic at Centretown Community Health Centre designed specifically for men who have sex with men. ACO staff provide programming and volunteers help create welcoming spaces.
• IN MagazinesupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerACO's National 2SLGBTQI+ Media Partner providing national media coverage and visibility within queer communities.
• Bruce HousesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for affordable housing services for people living with HIV/AIDS. Bruce House representatives participate in ACO drop-in sessions for housing information.
• YMCA OttawasupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerYMCA Subsidy Program available to The Living Room participants at 50% off YMCA memberships, supporting physical health and wellness.
• Wabano Centre for Aboriginal HealthsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Indigenous community outreach and health programming, including participation in Snowblower Festival events.
• Ottawa's Needle Exchange Program and Safer Inhalation ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerACO is a community partner to Ottawa's centralized Needle Exchange Program and Safer Inhalation Program, providing harm reduction equipment distribution.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network (CAAN): National Indigenous-led organization addressing HIV/AIDS among Indigenous Peoples through research, policy, and community-based programming. Comparable as a federally funded, culturally grounded ASO working with marginalized populations.
• AIDS Committee of Toronto (ACT): Toronto-based AIDS service organization delivering the same integrated model of HIV support, prevention, education, and outreach to PLHIV and priority populations. Closest structural peer; larger scale, same GIPA/MPRA-informed service architecture.
• AIDS Vancouver: Long-standing community-based AIDS service organization in Vancouver offering support services, harm reduction, and prevention programming to PLHIV and affected communities. Direct functional peer with the same integrated support-plus-prevention model.
• BlackCAP (Black Coalition for AIDS Prevention): Toronto-based organization providing HIV prevention, education, and support services specifically for Black communities in Ontario. Comparable in its ACB-targeted programming, ethno-cultural outreach, and community-development approach.
• CATIE (Canada's source for HIV and hepatitis C information): National knowledge-exchange broker funded by PHAC that builds capacity of community-based HIV organizations and frontline service providers across Canada. Directly comparable as a federally-supported HIV-sector infrastructure player serving the same ASO ecosystem.

Regional players

• Fife House: Toronto-based provider of supportive housing and services for people living with HIV. Comparable in its PLHIV-focused housing and support mission, but operating in a different urban geography.
• Réseau ACCESS Network: Northern Ontario HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C service organization providing prevention, education, harm reduction, and support services across multiple sites. Comparable bilingual community-based ASO with harm-reduction focus.
• The 519 (The 519 Church Street Community Centre): Toronto-based LGBTQ+ community centre delivering programming, services, and advocacy for 2SLGBTQI+ communities. Comparable as a 2SLGBTQI+ community hub offering some overlapping health and social programming.

Others

• Bruce House: Ottawa-based housing and support services provider specifically for people living with HIV/AIDS. Strategic partner of ACO (drop-in housing navigation) and operates in the same PLHIV support ecosystem.

Emerging players

• MAX Ottawa: Ottawa-based 2SLGBTQI+ men's health and community organization focused on gay, bi, queer, and trans men's wellness, including sexual health programming. Overlaps with ACO on queer men's sexual health, GBQMSM outreach, and HIV prevention.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ACOttawa
• Facebookfacebook.com/acocso
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/1098145
• Instagraminstagram.com/acottawa

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles27 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 THE AIDS COMMITTEE OF OTTAWA