What Project: Humanity does

Project: Humanity is a registered Canadian charity (Project: Humanity Inc., charitable number 84769 6622 RR0001) headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, founded circa 2004-2008, that operates two integrated program divisions: PH: Theatre and PH: Youth. PH: Theatre produces verbatim theatre — a journalistic form of documentary performance built from interview transcripts — with over 200 performances staged since inception, touring from Halifax NS to Dawson City YT. The current production, "The Division" (April-May 2026, co-produced with Pyretic Productions in association with Crow's Theatre), received 6 Dora Award nominations and a Toronto Theatre Critics' Award for Best Ensemble Performance. PH: Youth operates the Shelter Youth Initiative, delivering free weekly Drama Drop-In sessions and 12-week PH 1:1 arts mentorship pairings directly inside Toronto-area youth shelters, having supported more than 1,500 youth since 2007 and 153 mentorships across 52 disciplines in the most recent reporting period.

The organization earns revenue through four streams: individual donations (including a new 3-year pledge campaign targeting 100 community members), recurring grants from federal/provincial/municipal arts councils (Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario Arts Council, Toronto Arts Council) and private foundations (Shevchenko, Metcalf, Temerty, Hal Jackman, S.M. Blair, Jamaica), corporate sponsorship (notably TD Bank Group as exclusive sponsor of the PH 1:1 program), and earned fees from school workshops priced at $300 CAD per session with reduced rates for barrier schools. Distribution is direct and physical: live theatre at partner venues (Studio Theatre at Streetcar Crowsnest), facilitator-led classroom workshops, and in-shelter youth programming across the Greater Toronto Area.

The leadership team comprises co-founder and Executive Director Daniel Chapman-Smith (Ryerson Theatre School / Claude Watson Arts trained, prior acting credits at Soulpepper) and Artistic Director Andrew Kushnir (University of Alberta BFA, four-time Dora nominee, inaugural REACH residency recipient), supported by a Board of Directors (President Anja Zeljkovic, members Carla O'Brien and Riaz Shaikh) and recently expanded operational leadership (Andrea Vagianos as Director of Operations in 2026, Sarah Illiatovitch-Goldman returning as Director of Development and Communications in 2024). Notable institutional partners include Crow's Theatre, Pyretic Productions, the University of Toronto (Dr. Kathleen Gallagher research collaboration), and OISE for school programming design.

Name

Project: Humanity

Legal name

Project: Humanity Inc.

Website

https://projecthumanity.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Project: Humanity is a Toronto-based Canadian charity that produces verbatim theatre touring nationally and delivers free drama and mentorship programs for youth experiencing homelessness in Greater Toronto Area shelters, funded by arts councils, foundations, corporate sponsors, and individual donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts

NAICS

Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (711110), Fine Arts Schools (61161), Performing Arts Companies (7111), Fine Arts Schools (611610)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Theatre & Storytelling Festivals (MPAGAEAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Theater & Drama Education (Acting, Improvisation, Musical Theater) (EDAMAAAG), Theatre Education, Training & Conservatories (MPAGABAN), Performing Arts Programs (Band, Choir, Orchestra, Theater) (EDAJAJAE)

Keywords

• Verbatim theatre productions
• Youth arts programs
• School drama workshops
• Arts mentorship programs
• Social justice theatre

Headquarters

HQ city

Toronto

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, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: One-time and recurring donations from individual community members. Monthly donations via Canada Helps, weekly/quarterly/semi-annual/annual gift options, and 3-year pledge commitments.
2. Foundation and Corporate Grants: Regular funding from arts councils and private foundations including Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario Arts Council, Toronto Arts Council, and various private foundations.
3. School Workshop Fees: $300 CAD per session for verbatim theatre workshops in schools. Fee assistance available for schools facing barriers.
4. Securities and In-Kind Donations: Accepts donations of securities and mutual funds, in-kind donations of supplies, and corporate/group volunteering through Kits for a Cause program.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Project: Humanity produces verbatim theatre productions and runs arts-based youth programs addressing social justice issues. The PH: Theatre division creates documentary-style performances from interview transcripts and delivers paid school workshops and student matinees, while PH: Youth operates free in-shelter programs (Drama Drop-In, PH 1:1 Arts Mentorship, Monthly Arts Hang) for youth experiencing homelessness across the Greater Toronto Area. Revenue comes from individual donations, foundation and government grants, school workshop fees, and theatre ticket sales.

Product overview

Project: Humanity is a Canadian non-profit arts organization offering a dual-division structure: PH: Theatre (Verbatim Theatre productions and school workshops) and PH: Youth (shelter-based drama programs and arts mentorship). The theatre division creates documentary-style productions from interview transcripts that address social justice themes, while the youth division delivers Drama Drop-In sessions, PH 1:1 Mentorships, and Monthly Arts Hangs for vulnerable youth in Toronto shelters. Additional offerings include Proximity Lab (research training), Student Matinees, and development projects like CHEW and Towards Audacious Citizens.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• PH: Theatre: Verbatim Theatre division producing documentary theatre works exploring social justice issues.
• PH: Youth
• Proximity Lab

Products and services

• PH: Theatre (Verbatim Theatre Productions) Verbatim theatre division creating documentary-style productions that transform original interview transcripts into live theatrical works exploring social justice themes. Productions premiere in Toronto and tour across Canada from Halifax NS to Dawson City YT, with over 200 performances delivered to date.
• The Division Current theatrical production written and directed by Andrew Kushnir, exploring identity, legacy, and memory through a 19,000-kilometre journey retracing his grandfather's experiences as a soldier and immigrant in Ukraine and Europe. Tickets sold through Crow's Theatre box office.
• School Verbatim Theatre Workshops Professional facilitators deliver verbatim theatre workshops directly in elementary and secondary schools, helping students amplify their voices through Verbatim Theatre creation. Topics include privilege, colonialism, and systemic marginalization. Priced at $300 CAD per session with reduced rates available for schools facing financial barriers.
• Student Matinees and Pre-/Post-Show Workshops Enhanced theatre learning experiences for students attending PH productions, aligned with curriculum requirements in English, Social Studies, Drama, and Music. Pre- and post-show workshops deepen engagement with verbatim theatre content.
• Drama Drop-In (DDI) 75-minute weekly drama sessions led by professional artist facilitators at youth shelters across the Greater Toronto Area. Provides safe space for creative expression, social connection, and trauma-informed engagement for youth experiencing homelessness and marginalization. Free to participants.
• PH 1:1 Arts Mentorship Program 12-week free mentorship pairing youth-on-the-margins with professional artists in any artistic discipline of the youth's choosing, helping overcome isolation and build confidence. Delivered through 10 community partners across the Greater Toronto Area.
• Monthly Arts Hang Monthly casual gatherings for program participants, mentors, and alumni featuring food, community building exercises, and art-making activities. Free to participants.
• Proximity Lab Verbatim Theatre research-creation project supported by Canada Council for the Arts that trains artist-researchers in ethical verbatim theatre practice, extending PH's methodology beyond productions and youth programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• 153 individual arts mentorships across 52 distinct disciplines completed
• +4 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

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and major.

• Pyretic ProductionscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 April 2026Co-producer of The Division, working in association with Project: Humanity on this theatrical production. The partnership combines artistic resources and production capabilities for the verbatim theatre piece.
• Crow's TheatrecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 April 2026Association partner for The Division production, providing the Studio Theatre venue at Streetcar Crowsnest. Also co-commissioning partner for CHEW documentary musical project.
• Propeller GalleryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in (en)compass exhibit (2021) showcasing artwork created by youth-on-the-margins and their artist mentors during pandemic period.
• Dr. Kathleen Gallagher (University of Toronto)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch collaborator on Neighbourhood Change National Research Partnership (2014-15) and Towards Audacious Citizens climate justice project. Academic partner whose research on drama and youth has been published.
• Straight to the StreetsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Winter Warmth clothing distribution event (2011-2012), distributing winter clothing to those experiencing homelessness in Toronto.
• Kits for a CausecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial Kits for a Cause partner enabling corporate/group volunteering. Care kit assembly programs for youth in need, accommodating groups from 3 to 3,000 people.
• Bargains GroupminorOthersWholesale partner for bulk supplies at approximately one-third retail cost. Includes Full Circle Donation Program providing free donations with purchases.
• Ukrainian Jewish EncounterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch and educational support provider for The Division production.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Canadian Stage: Toronto-based theatre company where founding member Antonio Cayonne has performed and led youth programs. Canadian Stage is a larger incumbent operating multiple venues but serves overlapping artistic talent and audiences in Toronto.
• Tarragon Theatre: Established Toronto theatre company where new Director of Operations Andrea Vagianos was most recently Managing Director. Tarragon operates in the same Toronto indie/progressive theatre space as Project: Humanity with overlapping artistic and donor networks.
• Soulpepper Theatre Company: Major Toronto-based theatre company where Co-Founder Daniel Chapman-Smith has performed as an actor. Soulpepper is a broader incumbent with a much larger institutional footprint but operates in the same Toronto theatre ecosystem and engages with overlapping artistic talent pools.

Direct peers

• Roseneath Theatre: Toronto-based theatre company that tours productions to schools across Canada, addressing social issues through performance for young audiences. Directly comparable to Project: Humanity's school workshop and touring education model.
• Young People's Theatre: Toronto theatre company dedicated to young audiences, with school matinee programs and curriculum-aligned programming. Direct peer for Project: Humanity's school workshop and Student Matinee offerings targeting educators.
• Crow's Theatre: Toronto theatre company that is both a venue partner for Project: Humanity (hosting The Division at Studio Theatre, Streetcar Crowsnest) and a co-commissioner of CHEW. Crow's shares the progressive, artist-driven mandate and overlapping artistic network (Andrew Kushnir has held artistic roles there).
• Why Not Theatre: Toronto-based progressive theatre company producing socially engaged, artistically adventurous work with a national and international profile. Comparable in scale and mandate to Project: Humanity's PH: Theatre division.
• Nightwood Theatre: Toronto-based feminist theatre company with a focus on developing new work and artist-driven practice. Comparable in size and progressive mandate to Project: Humanity, with overlapping Toronto arts-council funding relationships.
• Sketch Working Arts: Toronto arts organization engaging marginalized youth through arts-based programming. Directly comparable to Project: Humanity's PH: Youth shelter-based programming model serving vulnerable youth populations in the GTA.
• Volcano Theatre: Toronto-based experimental theatre company known for non-traditional, socially engaged performance work. Volcano shares Project: Humanity's experimental, community-engaged artistic sensibility and operates in overlapping Toronto funding and audience ecosystems.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/Prjct_Humanity
• Facebookfacebook.com/prjcthumanity
• Instagraminstagram.com/prjct_humanity
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/prjcthumanity

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 Project: Humanity