Hawkins-Gignac Foundation for CO Education

What Hawkins-Gignac Foundation for CO Education does

The Hawkins-Gignac Foundation for CO Education is a Canadian registered charity founded in 2010 and headquartered in Brantford, Ontario. The organization is dedicated to carbon monoxide (CO) safety, pursuing public education and direct distribution of CO alarms to households, fire departments, and at-risk communities across Canada. Its mission was catalyzed by the 2008 death of Laurie Hawkins, a family member of Executive Director John Gignac, who leads the foundation's advocacy and operations.

The foundation's core activities are educational outreach (school programs, community workshops, media appearances) and the procurement and donation of certified CO alarms. It has distributed "tens of thousands" of alarms nationally and runs targeted regional tours, such as the November 2024 Atlantic Canada CO Education Tour, which delivered 300 alarms to three fire departments. The foundation operates as a grassroots non-profit without proprietary technology or a traditional product development function; its operational reach is driven principally by John Gignac's personal advocacy and media presence (more than 100 interviews conducted).

Revenue is generated through individual donations, government and institutional grants, corporate sponsorships, and branded merchandise. Institutional partners include Health Canada, the Insurance Bureau of Canada, and Murphy Hospitality Group. The foundation does not disclose financial statements publicly, and its operating model is highly dependent on the executive director's personal profile, fire-service relationships, and institutional partnerships.

Name

Hawkins-Gignac Foundation for CO Education

Legal name

Hawkins-Gignac Foundation for CO Education

Website

https://endthesilence.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The Hawkins-Gignac Foundation for CO Education is a Canadian charity that educates the public on carbon monoxide safety and distributes CO alarms to households and fire departments nationwide through donations, grants, and corporate sponsorships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Safety Education

NAICS

Educational Support Services (61171)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Carbon Monoxide (CO) Alarm Systems (HSAHAFAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Fire Safety, Life Safety & Code Compliance (EDALAEAI), Fire Prevention, Inspection & Code Enforcement (Life Safety) (BPAIAGAL), Testing, Inspection, Maintenance & Compliance Services (NFPA/Local Code) (HSAHAFAG)

Keywords

• Carbon monoxide education
• Public safety awareness
• CO alarm donation
• Community safety campaigns
• Charity foundation services

Headquarters

HQ city

Brantford

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 from individuals and corporations: The foundation relies on donations from the public to fund its CO education programs, alarm donations, and operational costs. Donations are collected through the website via PayPal and through direct mail.
2. Government and institutional grants: Funding from government bodies such as Health Canada and institutional partners to support specific education tours and alarm distribution campaigns.
3. Corporate sponsorships: Funding and support from corporate partners including Insurance Bureau of Canada and Murphy Hospitality Group for education initiatives.
4. Merchandise sales: Sale of Ricky the CO Safety Ranger Activity Books at $55 per pack of 50, providing educational materials for children while generating revenue.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Hawkins-Gignac Foundation for CO Education is a registered Canadian charity that educates Canadians about carbon monoxide dangers, sources, symptoms, and prevention, and distributes donated CSA-approved carbon monoxide alarms to fire departments and communities in need. Its portfolio centers on a CO Alarm Donation Program, traveling CO Education and Awareness Presentations, the year-round 365 Safety Campaign, the annual Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week, and children's educational activity books featuring the Ricky the CO Safety Ranger character.

Product overview

The Hawkins-Gignac Foundation for CO Education operates as a single-purpose charitable organization focused on carbon monoxide safety. Its portfolio centers on two interconnected pillars: (1) CO education and awareness programs delivered through traveling presentations, the 365 Safety Campaign, and annual Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week events; and (2) a CO alarm donation program that procures alarms from Canadian manufacturers at discounted rates and distributes them to fire departments and underserved communities. The foundation also produces educational materials including Ricky the CO Safety Ranger children's activity books. These offerings are unified by the foundation's mission to eliminate carbon monoxide poisoning deaths in Canada through education and increased detector accessibility.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Ricky, The CO Safety Ranger: Children's educational mascot/character with activity books teaching CO safety to kids. Activity books sold in packs of 50 at $55.
• 365 Safety Campaign

Products and services

• 365 Safety Campaign A year-round public safety initiative encouraging Canadians to check smoke and CO alarms daily, regardless of season, promoting continuous home safety vigilance.
• Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week Annual awareness event held November 1-7 featuring educational tours, CO alarm donations to fire departments, and community outreach in partnership with Health Canada and Insurance Bureau of Canada.
• Ricky, The CO Safety Ranger Activity Books Children's educational colouring books teaching CO safety awareness, sold in packs of 50 at $55 each (includes Ontario shipping).
• CO Alarm Donation Program The foundation purchases CSA-approved CO alarms at special rates from Canadian manufacturers and donates them to fire departments and communities in need across Canada.
• CO Education and Awareness Presentations Traveling educational presentations delivered coast-to-coast across Canada to communities, schools, fire departments, legislatures, and media outlets about carbon monoxide dangers and prevention.

Quantifiable outcome

• 40% of Canadians do not have a CO alarm - foundation aims to reduce this through education
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 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

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Halifax Regional Fire & EmergencycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 6 November 2024Received 100 donated CO alarms during Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week 2024. Foundation visited to speak about CO dangers and distribute safety information to the community.
• Moncton Fire DepartmentcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 5 November 2024Received 100 donated CO alarms during Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week 2024. Foundation visited to speak about CO dangers and distribute safety information to the community.
• Charlottetown Fire DepartmentcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 4 November 2024Received 100 donated CO alarms during Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week 2024. Foundation visited to speak about CO dangers and distribute safety information to the community.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• National Fire Protection Association: US-based standards and education body that publishes CO safety guidance and runs public awareness campaigns. Larger, broader organization with overlapping CO education mission but anchored in the United States rather than Canada.
• First Alert: Leading North American smoke and carbon monoxide alarm brand with extensive consumer safety education content. Overlaps with the foundation's mission of driving CO alarm adoption and awareness among households.
• Kidde: Major manufacturer of CO and smoke alarms that runs safety education programs and public awareness campaigns. Comparable as a CO-safety stakeholder but operates as a commercial incumbent rather than a donation-funded nonprofit.
• Nest Labs: Smart-home company (under Google) that sells Nest Protect smoke and CO detectors with app-driven safety alerts. Competes in the same end outcome (home CO protection) but as a commercial technology provider rather than a charity.

Direct peers

• Canadian Red Cross: National Canadian humanitarian nonprofit that delivers safety and prevention education, including home fire and CO safety programming. Operates on donations and volunteer engagement across all provinces, making it the closest scale and structural analog to Hawkins-Gignac.
• Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada: Canadian health-focused nonprofit that funds public education, advocacy, and community programs. Comparable in donation-driven funding model, national advocacy footprint, and use of media-driven awareness campaigns targeting Canadian households.
• Fire Prevention Canada: Canadian nonprofit focused on fire and life-safety education, working in close partnership with fire departments nationwide. Comparable mission, domestic footprint, and educational outreach model through fire services.

Regional players

• Safelincs: UK-based fire safety retailer and educator offering CO alarm products, guidance, and community safety content. Comparable educational mission and product offering but focused on the UK market.
• CO Gas Safety: UK-based charity dedicated to carbon monoxide awareness, policy advocacy, and victim family support. Closest direct thematic peer on CO safety education, though geographically focused on the United Kingdom rather than Canada.

Others

• Public Safety Canada: Canadian federal department responsible for public safety policy, including guidance on emergencies and household hazards. Adjacent stakeholder that shapes the policy environment in which the foundation operates and advocates.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

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 Hawkins-Gignac Foundation for CO Education