The Calgary Bridge Foundation for Youth

What The Calgary Bridge Foundation for Youth does

The Calgary Bridge Foundation for Youth (CBFY) is a Calgary-based, Alberta-incorporated nonprofit charitable organization founded in 1990 by Dr. John Wu to support immigrant and refugee children, youth (ages 5-24), and their families in integrating into Canadian schools and society. It serves as the first point of contact for newcomer families registering children in both the Calgary Board of Education (CBE) and Calgary Catholic School District (CCSD) reception centres, providing free in-school settlement support, academic assistance, English language development, mentorship, social-emotional counselling, employability training, and post-secondary transition programming. Service delivery is organized through an Integrated Services Delivery Model (ISDM) comprising three teams - a Connect Team at school reception centres, a Bridge Link Team at the main office Family Support Centre, and six Neighbourhood Newcomer Engagement in School Support Teams (NNESST) covering all Calgary quadrants, supported by a digital Gateway referral system that links clients to sister agencies.

The portfolio includes seven core programs (SWIS, Afterschool, Mentorship, Transitioning into Higher Education, YESS Youth Employability, Peace and Justice, and Bridges to Community) plus signature events (Power of Voice Youth Conference, Youth Achievement Awards Gala, Bridge Fest) and the Bridge Circle volunteer education program. No proprietary technology platform underpins the offering; all services are delivered in-person by paid staff and a network of nearly 300 active volunteers who contributed 4,209-5,435 hours in the most recent reporting year.

CBFY is funded through a mix of federal/provincial/municipal grants (IRCC, United Way Calgary, Calgary Family Services/FCSS), corporate sponsorships (RBC, Rogers, TD Bank Group, AltaLink), and individual charitable donations, with charitable matching via Rogers Birdies for Kids. CEO Frank Cattoni (since 2021) leads the organization, supported by Director of Programs Lorraine Kinsman and Director of People & HR Cristina Balamban. In 2025, CBFY served 11,564 total clients across its programs.

Name

The Calgary Bridge Foundation for Youth

Legal name

The Calgary Bridge Foundation for Youth

Website

https://cbfy.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

The Calgary Bridge Foundation for Youth (CBFY) is a Calgary-based nonprofit founded in 1990 that provides free, in-school settlement, academic, mentorship, and social-emotional support programs for immigrant and refugee children, youth (ages 5-24), and their families across both Calgary school boards.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Immigrant and Refugee Youth Settlement Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411), Child and Youth Services (624110), Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Services (611)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Refugee & Immigrant Support Services (BPAGAEAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Newcomer & Refugee Student Support Programs (EDAJAGAH), Refugee & Humanitarian Newcomer Orientation (Resettlement Support) (EDAAADAI), Immigrant & Refugee Community Education (Integration/Navigation) (EDAAAFAH)

Keywords

• Newcomer youth services
• Settlement workers schools
• Youth mentorship programs
• Immigrant family support
• After-school academic support

Headquarters

HQ city

Calgary

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Charitable Donations and Fundraising: CBFY is a nonprofit charitable organization that relies on donations from individuals, corporations, and fundraising events (e.g., Youth Achievement Awards Benefit Gala, Birdies for Kids presented by AltaLink) to fund its programs and operations.
2. Institutional Funding (Government and Foundation Grants): Funded by government agencies and foundations including IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada), United Way Calgary, RBC, Calgary Family Services (FCSS), and Rogers. These funders provide grants to support CBFY's settlement programs and youth services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

The Calgary Bridge Foundation for Youth provides free settlement, academic, mentorship, and social-emotional support programs to immigrant and refugee youth ages 5-24 and their families in Calgary. Programs are delivered primarily in CBE and CCSD schools and through community locations, supported by the foundation's proprietary Integrated Settlement and Development Model (ISDM).

Product overview

The Calgary Bridge Foundation for Youth (CBFY) provides a portfolio of settlement and support programs for immigrant and refugee youth ages 5-24 years and their families in Calgary. The organization operates an Integrated Services Delivery Model (ISDM) with three main service teams: Connect Team (reception center support), Bridge Link Team (family support center), and NNESST Teams (school-based support across Calgary). Core programs include the SWIS (Settlement Workers in Schools) Program, Afterschool Program, Mentorship Program, Youth Employability Skills & Strategies (YESS), Transitioning into Higher Education Program (THP), Peace and Justice Project, and Bridges to Community. The organization also runs signature events including the annual Power of Voice Youth Conference, Youth Achievement Awards Gala, Bridge Fest, and Bridge Circle volunteer gatherings. Services are provided in partnership with the Calgary Board of Education and Calgary Catholic School District.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Settlement Workers in Schools (SWIS) Program In-school settlement support program delivered in CBE and CCSD schools, helping newcomer and refugee students and their families navigate the Canadian school system, language barriers, and broader settlement needs.
• Afterschool Program

Quantifiable outcome

• 11,564 total clients served in 2025
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• CBC NewsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 28 April 2025Featured CBFY's Bridges to Community program in a news article highlighting the power of early prevention programs for youth in crowded Calgary schools.
• CTV News (Journalist Kevin Fleming)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 20 November 2024Featured CBFY on CTV News 5 o'clock and 6 o'clock broadcasts covering support for rising numbers of young newcomers in Calgary.
• Books Beyond BordersminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 May 2023Donated dual-language books (Pashto and Farsi) to CBFY's Girls Conversation Club at James Fowler High School, supporting language development and cultural connection.
• Calgary Board of Education (CBE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPublic school board partner where CBFY staff operate from reception centres and deliver in-school settlement programs across public schools in Calgary.
• Calgary Catholic School District (CCSD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCatholic school board partner where CBFY staff operate from reception centres and deliver in-school settlement programs for Catholic schools in Calgary.
• Calgary Public Library (CPL)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner; host venue for the annual Power of Voice Youth Conference at the Central Library location.
• Bow Valley CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPost-secondary partner collaborating with CBFY on newcomer support and educational pathways.
• University of CalgaryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPost-secondary partner collaborating with CBFY on programming and hosting volunteer fairs at their downtown campus.
• SAIT (Southern Alberta Institute of Technology)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPost-secondary partner collaborating with CBFY on educational pathways for newcomer youth.
• Alberta Mentoring PartnershipminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvincial organization supporting mentorship programs; partner in CBFY's Mentorship Program for grades 7–12 newcomer students.
• CIWA (Calgary Immigrant Women's Association)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner serving immigrant women and families; collaborated on United Voices mental health summit and Bright Notes card-making project.
• Immigrant Education SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in newcomer education services; collaborated on United Voices 2024 mental health summit.
• Immigrant Services CalgaryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey partner in Calgary's newcomer ecosystem; collaborated on United Voices 2024 and Bright Notes project.
• CCIS (Calgary Catholic Immigrant Services)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization providing immigration and settlement services within Calgary's Catholic school community.
• CRIEC (Calgary Region Immigrate Employment Council)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner supporting immigrant employment and career integration in Calgary.
• CFN (Calgary Family Network)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner providing family support services in Calgary.
• JFSC (Jewish Family Service Calgary)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner providing social services in Calgary.
• CANAF (Calgary Nepalese Association)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity cultural organization partner.
• PIA (Pentecoastal Immigrant Association)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity cultural organization partner.
• Eastside Memorial FCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner organization.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Regional players

• COSTI Immigrant Services: Large Toronto-based immigrant services nonprofit providing settlement, language training, and youth programs; comparable in service portfolio and IRCC funding model but operating primarily in Ontario rather than Alberta.
• MOSAIC (Vancouver): One of Canada's largest immigrant-serving organizations, based in Vancouver; comparable in comprehensive newcomer services portfolio and IRCC funding model, but operating in BC rather than Alberta.
• Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers: Edmonton-based newcomer settlement agency with comprehensive services for immigrants and refugees including youth programming; comparable in mission and settlement-services delivery model, but serves Alberta's other major city rather than Calgary.

Direct peers

• Immigrant Services Calgary: Calgary-based newcomer service provider; comparable in mission, geography, and funder ecosystem, with overlap in youth and family settlement programming — confirmed as a CBFY community partner on the United Voices 2024 mental health summit.
• Centre for Newcomers (Calgary): Calgary-based nonprofit offering settlement, language, employment, and youth services for newcomers; comparable in mission, geography, and funder base, and explicitly nominated CBFY's CEO for the QEII Platinum Jubilee Medal, indicating close ecosystem ties.
• Calgary Immigrant Women's Association (CIWA): Calgary settlement agency focused on immigrant women and families; directly comparable in serving immigrant populations, with overlapping program areas around family support, language training, and youth services — confirmed as a CBFY community partner.
• Calgary Catholic Immigrant Services (CCIS): Calgary-based settlement agency providing newcomer services with strong Catholic school district ties; directly comparable to CBFY in serving immigrant and refugee families in Calgary, though with broader adult-services scope beyond youth.
• Immigrant Education Society (IES): Calgary-based organization providing language, settlement, and employment services for newcomers with strong educational programming focus; comparable to CBFY in serving immigrant learners and confirmed as a CBFY community partner.

Broad incumbents

• Boys & Girls Clubs of Calgary: Established Calgary youth-services nonprofit with broader demographic focus; comparable in delivering youth development and afterschool programming in Calgary, but not specialized in newcomer/refugee populations.

Emerging players

• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Calgary and Area: Calgary youth mentoring organization with overlapping volunteer-mentor model and grant-funded programming; comparable in mentorship service delivery for youth, though not newcomer-specific.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/YYCBRIDGE
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCKH9V0WmATrNsnx4k0te-pA
• Facebookfacebook.com/calgarybridgefoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-calgary-bridge-foundation-for-youth
• Instagraminstagram.com/yycbridge

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about The Calgary Bridge Foundation for Youth