Proud To Be Me
Proud To Be Me is an Ottawa-based Canadian nonprofit that runs youth-focused anti-bullying, inclusion, and confidence-building programs for children ages 7-12 across the Ottawa region. It funds its mission through donations, corporate sponsorships, and annual fundraising galas and trivia nights.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2011
- HeadquartersOttawa, Canada
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Proud To Be Me does
Proud To Be Me (PTBM) is a Canadian nonprofit organization founded in 2011 and headquartered at 2793 Fenton Road, Ottawa, Ontario. The organization is registered as a charity with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA # 138533633 RR) and incorporated in Ontario (Corporation #00197459), operating with a small team of 1-10 employees and a board including France Goulard and partner Councillor Allan Hubley. Its mission centers on youth empowerment, inclusion, and anti-bullying for children ages 7-12 in the Ottawa region and surrounding communities.
PTBM delivers its mission through a portfolio of community programs: the 'Proud To Be A Buddy' Friendship Bench Program (physical benches installed in schoolyards to reduce social isolation), the Proud Wings Inspirational Mural Program (co-developed with Erik and Melinda Karlsson's Can't Dim My Light initiative, featuring butterfly-themed hand-painted murals by approved artists), an annual Youth Day event at Saunders Farm serving 170-250 youth, PTBM Grants funding mission-aligned community programs, and Parent Information Sessions on bullying prevention. The organization does not operate proprietary technology; program delivery is human- and volunteer-led through a vetted 'Friends of PTBM' speaker network that includes providers such as Take A Stance Consulting, Bullying Ends Here, and Misfit Cowgirls Ranch.
Revenue is generated through a diversified nonprofit model combining individual donations (processed via PayPal on ptbm.ca), corporate sponsorship packages, and annual signature fundraising events — notably the Bullyfree Gala (over $125,000 raised at the 2022 Brookstreet Hotel event with 300+ guests) and the Music Trivia Night (prior events exceeding $40,000). Funds raised are redistributed as PTBM Grants to schools and community programs. Go-to-market is community-led: partnerships with schools (e.g., St. Michaels Corkery School as the first Friendship Bench partner in 2018), local venues (Brookstreet Hotel, Sala San Marco, Saunders Farm), municipal government, and earned media coverage from OBJ, Ottawa Citizen, and CTV News Ottawa drive both program delivery and fundraising.
Proud To Be Me firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Proud To Be Me
- Legal name
- Proud To Be Me
- Website
- https://ptbm.ca
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2011
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Proud To Be Me is an Ottawa-based Canadian nonprofit that runs youth-focused anti-bullying, inclusion, and confidence-building programs for children ages 7-12 across the Ottawa region. It funds its mission through donations, corporate sponsorships, and annual fundraising galas and trivia nights.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Proud To Be Me industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Youth Nonprofit Services
- NAICS
- Child and Youth Services (62411), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133), Civic and Social Organizations (8134), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Arts, Sports & Recreation-Based Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Philanthropic & Charitable Trust Services (FSAAANAI), Nonprofit & Cause Communications (BPAFADAK)
Keywords
Where Proud To Be Me is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Ottawa
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Proud To Be Me business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Donations and Contributions: PTBM accepts donations through PayPal and other channels to fund their mission of supporting youth programs in Ottawa and surrounding communities.
- Event Fundraising: The organization hosts annual galas (Bullyfree Gala) and trivia nights (Music Trivia Night) that generate significant revenue. The 2022 gala raised over $125,000 and past trivia events have raised over $40,000.
- Corporate Sponsorships: PTBM offers corporate sponsorship packages that provide visibility throughout the year at PTBM events, targeting companies focused on corporate social responsibility.
- Grant Funding Distribution: PTBM raises and distributes grants to community programs and schools in Ottawa that align with their mission of youth empowerment and anti-bullying. Grants are funded through their fundraising activities.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | One-time | Music Trivia Night - Table of Ten |
| One time/ perpetual license | One-time | Bullyfree Gala Tickets |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Proud To Be Me product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Proud To Be Me (PTBM) is a registered Canadian nonprofit that raises funds through events, donations, and corporate sponsorships to deliver youth-focused anti-bullying and inclusion programs in Ottawa and surrounding communities. Its portfolio includes grant funding to schools and community programs, physical installations such as Friendship Benches and Inspirational Murals, an annual Youth Day event for ages 7-12, parent information sessions, and signature fundraising events (Bullyfree Gala, Music Trivia Night).
Product overview
Proud To Be Me (PTBM) is a non-profit organization established in 2011 that raises funds for community resources, organizations, and programs supporting youth empowerment and anti-bullying initiatives. The organization's portfolio consists of grant funding programs (PTBM Grants), physical installations (Friendship Bench Program, Inspirational Mural Program), youth events (Youth Day), parent education sessions, and annual fundraising galas and events. These programs work together to foster inclusion, build self-esteem in youth, and create positive community change.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- PTBM Grants
Quantifiable outcome
- Over $125,000 raised at single 2022 gala event with 300+ attendees
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Proud To Be Me
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Proud To Be Me technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Proud To Be Me partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- St. Michaels Corkery SchoolcoreFirst partner school for the 'Proud To Be A Buddy' Friendship Bench Program, installed in 2018 as part of PTBM's 2017/2018 grant program. The school has been an exemplary partner supporting the program culture.
- Can't Dim My Light (Erik and Melinda Karlsson)corePTBM partnered with Erik and Melinda Karlsson's Can't Dim My Light initiative to co-develop the 'Proud Wings Inspirational Mural Program.' This program brings pre-approved artists to schools to paint interactive murals with inspirational messaging about inclusion and kindness. The butterfly symbol represents children's growth journey.
- Saunders FarmcoreSaunders Farm in Ottawa serves as the venue partner for PTBM's annual Youth Day event, hosting 250 youth ages 7-12 for a day of friendship and workshops.
- Brookstreet HotelcoreBrookstreet Hotel in Kanata serves as the primary venue for PTBM's annual Bullyfree Gala events, hosting gala dinners and masquerade events since 2022.
- Councillor Allan HubleycoreOttawa City Councillor Allan Hubley serves as a PTBM Partner, providing community connection and support for PTBM's initiatives in the Ottawa region.
- Friends of PTBM (Speaker Network)minorNetwork of vetted speakers and workshop providers including Misfit Cowgirls Ranch, Paul Davis, Mark Hatfield, Peter Joynt, Sekou Kaba, Janine Charron, The Soulful Poet, Take A Stance Consulting, Tribal Theory, and Bullying Ends Here. These partners volunteer time and services for PTBM mission-related activities.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Proud To Be Me competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Kids Help Phone: Canada's national youth support nonprofit offering 24/7 counseling and resources. Comparable as a Canadian nonprofit serving youth emotional well-being and anti-bullying/inclusion outcomes, with a similar mission-aligned donor base.
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada: National youth mentoring nonprofit focused on inclusion and self-esteem outcomes for at-risk youth. Comparable mission, Canadian footprint, school-based program delivery, and reliance on community fundraising and corporate sponsorships.
- Do It For Daniel Foundation: Canadian anti-bullying charity founded in memory of Daniel, with deep ties to the Karlsson family (overlap with PTBM's 'Can't Dim My Light' partner). Comparable mission, celebrity-driven awareness, and school-based anti-bullying programs.
- Prevnet (Promoting Relationships and Eliminating Violence Network): Canadian research and prevention network focused on bullying prevention and healthy relationships among youth. Comparable mission focus on anti-bullying education, school partnerships, and resource distribution to educators and parents.
- Bullying.org Canada: Canadian anti-bullying nonprofit offering educational resources, awareness campaigns, and youth-focused programming. Directly comparable mission, donor model, and school-based intervention focus.
- PFLAG Canada: Canadian LGBTQ+ advocacy and family support organization with strong focus on youth inclusion and self-esteem. Comparable mission around inclusion, school-based outreach, and parent/family programming.
Broad incumbents
- Canadian Red Cross: Large Canadian humanitarian organization with youth-focused programming including anti-bullying and inclusion initiatives. Comparable youth education mission and donor base, but operates with national scale and infrastructure far beyond PTBM.
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Canada: National umbrella for youth recreation, inclusion, and self-esteem programs across local clubs. Comparable youth-development mission and school/club-based delivery, but operates at significantly larger scale and breadth than PTBM.
- YMCA Canada: National federation of youth-serving community organizations offering inclusion, leadership, and recreation programs. Overlapping mission and community-based delivery but vastly larger scope and operating budget than PTBM.
Emerging players
- The Benji Project: Smaller Canadian nonprofit focused on youth mental health and resilience programming. Comparable niche youth-focused mission and school-community delivery model, though with a mental-health-specific lens rather than anti-bullying primary focus.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Proud To Be Me social profiles
Digital presenceProud To Be Me financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Proud To Be Me leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Proud To Be Me funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Proud To Be Me M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Proud To Be Me
What does Proud To Be Me do?
Proud To Be Me (PTBM) is a registered Canadian nonprofit that raises funds through events, donations, and corporate sponsorships to deliver youth-focused anti-bullying and inclusion programs in Ottawa and surrounding communities. Its portfolio includes grant funding to schools and community programs, physical installations such as Friendship Benches and Inspirational Murals, an annual Youth Day event for ages 7-12, parent information sessions, and signature fundraising events (Bullyfree Gala, Music Trivia Night).
Is Proud To Be Me a public or private company?
Proud To Be Me is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Proud To Be Me founded?
Proud To Be Me was founded in 2011. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Proud To Be Me based?
Proud To Be Me is headquartered in Ottawa, Canada, in the North America region.
How does Proud To Be Me make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Donations and Contributions are the primary driver. The others are event Fundraising, corporate Sponsorships and grant Funding Distribution.
Who are Proud To Be Me's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Kids Help Phone, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada, Do It For Daniel Foundation, Prevnet (Promoting Relationships and Eliminating Violence Network), Bullying.org Canada and PFLAG Canada. Broad incumbents are Canadian Red Cross, Boys & Girls Clubs of Canada and YMCA Canada. The Benji Project is listed as an emerging player.
Does Proud To Be Me have an API?
No public API is recorded for Proud To Be Me.
What industry is Proud To Be Me in?
Proud To Be Me's product category is Youth Nonprofit Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGADAJ, Arts, Sports & Recreation-Based Youth Development Nonprofits, with a secondary code of FSAAANAI, Philanthropic & Charitable Trust Services. Its NAICS code is 62411 and its SIC code is 8300.