Communities in Bloom Foundation

What Communities in Bloom Foundation does

Communities in Bloom Foundation is a Canadian registered charitable non-profit organization dedicated to inspiring communities to enhance quality of life and environmental quality through people and plants. The Foundation, separately established in 2005 to complement the core program founded in 1995, funds bursaries (including two annual $500 Claudette Savaria Bursaries for horticulture students), educational programs, and research on the benefits and sustainable development of green spaces. It operates through a hybrid community-led and event-driven go-to-market model, with municipalities registering for provincial, national, and international editions, paying population-based registration fees, and engaging volunteers throughout the process.

The core product is a multi-tiered competitive evaluation program using a proprietary 78-element, 7-category judging framework that rates communities from 1 to 5 Blooms, with Bronze, Silver, and Gold tiers at the 5-Bloom level for National and International editions. Distribution is handled through eight provincial organizations (including Les Fleurons du Québec and BC Communities in Bloom) that manage local recruitment, judge training, and regional awards, with national coordination from a small 1-10 person staff in Milton, Ontario. Since 1995, over 900 municipalities participate annually, with a cumulative economic value exceeding $28 million delivered to participating communities; the program also operates an International Challenge linking CiB with peer programs in Britain, Ireland, Italy, USA, Japan, Belgium, Croatia, Hungary, and Slovenia.

Revenue is generated through a diversified mix of population-based registration fees (sub-classified as recurring subscription), corporate sponsorships and grants (Scotts Canada, RBC, CNLA, Teck, Ball Horticultural, NCC, Municipal World, The Butchart Gardens, TORO, Equinox), donations via Canada Helps and United Way, and ancillary earned-revenue activities including the 2025-launched Always Together Rose (with proceeds shared with the Never Alone Foundation). The 2026 Theme of the Year is Therapeutic Gardening. The organization was granted Viceregal Patronage by the Governor General of Canada on January 23, 2024, and operates as a registered charity under CRA (registration 86212 8188 RR 0001) with no parent company or equity holders.

Name

Communities in Bloom Foundation

Legal name

Communities in Bloom Foundation

Website

https://communitiesinbloom.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Communities in Bloom Foundation is a Canadian registered charity that funds bursaries and educational programs on green spaces, operating a national multi-tiered community beautification and environmental evaluation program serving 900+ municipalities annually across all Canadian provinces and through an international challenge.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Beautification and Environmental Stewardship Programs

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Foundations (BPAGAKAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cultural Festivals & Events Organizations (BPAGAHAG), Parks, Gardens & Botanical Attractions (THAJACAH)

Keywords

• Community beautification programs
• Environmental stewardship services
• Municipal evaluation programs
• Horticulture education funding
• Civic engagement programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Milton

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Program Registration Fees: Communities pay registration fees based on population categories to participate in provincial, national, and international editions of the program. The fees fund program operations, judge travel and accommodation, and awards ceremonies.
2. Donations and Charitable Contributions: The Communities in Bloom Foundation accepts donations to support scholarships for horticulture/environment students, research and education on benefits of green spaces. Donations can be made through Canada Helps, United Way, or by mailing contributions. Tax receipts are issued for donations.
3. Sponsorships and Grants: Corporate sponsors (Scotts Canada, RBC, CNLA, Teck, Ball Horticultural, etc.) provide funding, products, and promotional materials. Scotts Canada offers Gro for Good grants ($4,500 each) to communities for sustainable garden projects. RBC funds a two-year grant program for new and Indigenous communities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Communities in Bloom Foundation operates a national community beautification and environmental stewardship program that evaluates and rates Canadian municipalities on criteria including community appearance, environmental action, heritage conservation, tree management, landscape, and plant and floral displays. Communities register through provincial or national editions, pay population-based fees, undergo on-site evaluation by trained volunteer judges against 78 elements in 7 categories, and receive Bloom Ratings from 1 to 5 Blooms along with detailed feedback reports that inform municipal budget decisions.

Product overview

Communities in Bloom Foundation operates a comprehensive community beautification and environmental stewardship program consisting of multiple interconnected components: the core National Edition and Provincial Editions provide competitive evaluation frameworks where communities receive bloom ratings (1-5 blooms) based on assessments across appearance, environmental action, heritage conservation, tree management, landscape, and floral displays. The International Challenge extends this competition globally. Supporting the program are various grant programs (Scotts Gro for Good Grants, NFL School Garden Award, CNLA Green for Life Award), recognition awards (Outstanding Achievement Awards, Land Reclamation Award, WinterLife Award, Best Downtown Area Award, Miracle-Gro Best Garden Selection), and educational resources including webinars, community profiles, and the Clean Air Calculator. The Foundation also funds the Claudette Savaria Bursary for horticulture students and hosts the annual National Symposium and Awards event. The 2026 program introduced Therapeutic Gardening as the Theme of the Year along with the Always Together Rose product.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Claudette Savaria Bursary: Annual bursary program awarding two $500 bursaries to students in ornamental and/or environmental horticulture programs who are involved with local Communities in Bloom committees.

Products and services

• Provincial Editions Annual regional competition programs for British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec (Les Fleurons du Québec), and Atlantic provinces where communities register, are evaluated by trained judges, and receive bloom ratings within their population categories. Targeted at Canadian municipal governments.
• National Edition Annual national competition where communities compete across categories including Population, Circle of Excellence, Class of Champions, Grand Champions, International Challenge, and Special Attractions, receiving national bloom ratings and awards. Targeted at Canadian municipalities.
• International Challenge International competition category for communities demonstrating excellence in environmental stewardship, connecting winners from Britain in Bloom, America in Bloom, Tidy Towns of Ireland, Japan in Bloom, Comuni Fioriti (Italy), Belgium, Croatia, Hungary, and Slovenia for collaborative competition. Targeted at international municipal governments.
• Gardens and Attractions in Bloom Showcase Non-evaluated promotional showcase category for botanical gardens, public gardens, arboretums, specialty gardens, historic gardens, and destination landscapes to be featured on the national In Bloom Map. Targeted at garden attractions and destination landscape operators.
• Judging Reports Comprehensive evaluation reports featuring 78 specific elements in 7 categories providing detailed feedback to communities, with specific suggestions for improvement that often form the basis for municipal budget considerations. Delivered to participating communities as part of the evaluation service.
• Scotts Canada Gro for Good Grant Annual grant program sponsored by Scotts Canada providing $4,500 in funding to communities, schools, and non-profit organizations to develop sustainable gardens and green spaces, with additional in-kind prizes available through a social media contest.
• CiB Logo and Bloom Rating Licensing Official trademarked logos (three stylized flowers, Bloom Rating logos with five Blooms levels: Bronze 84-86.9%, Silver 87-89.9%, Gold 90%+, plus winner designation) made available to participating communities under brand guidelines.
• Claudette Savaria Bursary Two annual bursaries of $500 each awarded to students in full-time post-secondary ornamental and/or environmental horticulture programs who are involved with local Communities in Bloom committees, for the 2026/2027 school year.
• National Symposium and Awards Annual event hosting municipal leaders, CiB committees, parks professionals, volunteers, and industry experts for symposium sessions, technical visits, community showcase dinners, and awards ceremonies. 2026 edition in Rosemère and Montréal, Québec from October 15-17.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 900 municipalities participate annually with cumulative economic value exceeding $28 million to participating communities over 30+ years
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers10 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

Feature3 records

Partnerships

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

• Scotts CanadacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor National Sponsor providing Gro for Good grants ($4,500 each) to communities for sustainable gardens and green spaces. Also provides Miracle-Gro Best Garden Selection signs and gift packages to participating communities. Committed to helping individuals and municipalities create healthy green spaces.
• National Capital Commission (NCC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding Sponsor responsible for planning, development, conservation and improvement of Canada's Capital Region. Orchestrates the Capital Floral Experience designing floral displays throughout Ottawa, including the Canadian Tulip Festival.
• Royal Bank of Canada (RBC)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerNational Sponsor with RBC Tech for Nature commitment to new ideas, technologies and partnerships focused on protecting shared future. Sponsoring new two-year grant program covering participation costs for up to 40 new communities in 2026, with targeted outreach to Indigenous communities.
• Canadian Nursery Landscape Association (CNLA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational Sponsor and federation of ten provincial landscape and horticulture associations representing over 3,800 members. Provides Green Cities Award and Green for Life Community Award for CiB participants.
• TeckmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerNational Sponsor, Canada's largest diversified resource company committed to responsible mining. Sponsors the Community Appearance Award for outstanding achievement in community presentation.
• Ball Horticultural CompanymajorGTM or Marketing PartnerNational Sponsor, global leader in floriculture with distribution in all major world markets. Introduced Wave Petunia and other innovative varieties. Sponsors International Plant and Floral Displays Award.
• Municipal World MagazinemajorGTM or Marketing PartnerNational Sponsor publishing since 1891, targeting municipal officials. Sponsors WinterLife Award recognizing community efforts in winter activities from November through March.
• The Butchart GardensmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerNational Sponsor and destination gardens receiving over a million visitors annually. Sponsors the Land Reclamation Award for transformed landscapes such as reclaimed quarries, dumpsites, or brownfields.
• TOROminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNational Sponsor, global leader in outdoor solutions including turf maintenance, snow/ice management, landscape equipment, and irrigation. Committed to sustainability and electric/biofuel solutions.
• Equinox Environmental ProductsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNational Sponsor, leading Canadian manufacturer of self-watering planters and in-ground waste systems. Mission is environmental sustainability and beautification from coast to coast. Has diverted over 500,000 pounds of plastic from landfills.
• Green Cities FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational Partner connecting plants and people for greener, healthier urban climate. Commits to protecting environment, renewing failed green spaces, increasing public green spaces, and improving climate for Canadians. Sponsors #GreenMyCity project grant.
• Compost Council of CanadaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational Partner serving as central resource and network for organics recycling and compost industry. Advances recovery of organic residuals for improved soil health and vitality.
• Canadian Parks and Recreation Association (CPRA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational Partner, 60+ year old national voice on social, economic and environmental benefits of parks and recreation. Credible leader advancing parks and recreation across Canada.
• Garden Centres CanadaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNational Partner, commodity group of CNLA representing garden centres and retail nurseries across Canada. Participates in International Garden Centre Association (IGCA).
• Nutrients for Life Foundation CanadamajorGTM or Marketing PartnerNational Partner offering $500 School Garden Awards to Canadian communities registered in CiB program. Focuses on connecting youth to modern agriculture and providing understanding of food production.
• AIPH – International Association of Horticultural ProducersmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational Partner living and breathing to rekindle and maintain relationship with plants. Serves growers in globalised world, pushing boundaries of science and advancing role of plants in urban settings.
• Plant · Grow · Share a RowminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner in Scotts Canada Gro for Good program, supporting community gardens and green spaces across Canada.
• Never Alone FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProceeds from Always Together Rose sales support the Never Alone Foundation, helping advance programs that make meaningful difference in people's lives.
• International Competition PartnersmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational Challenge connects winners from Britain in Bloom, America in Bloom, Tidy Towns of Ireland, Japan in Bloom, Comuni Fioriti (Italy), Belgium, Croatia, Hungary, Slovenia for collaborative competition.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Arbor Day Foundation: Large US nonprofit focused on tree planting and urban forestry education. Comparable in environmental/community-engagement mission and in mobilizing volunteers, with a much broader program portfolio including Tree City USA designations.
• National Wildlife Federation: US conservation nonprofit with programs spanning wildlife habitat, gardening, and community certification (Certified Wildlife Habitat, Mayors' Monarch Pledge). Comparable environmental/community-stewardship mission, but with broader conservation scope than CiB's beautification focus.

Direct peers

• Keep Britain Tidy: UK environmental charity running community cleanliness, recycling, and green-space programs. Operates the parallel Britain in Bloom-style 'It's Your Neighbourhood' scheme — comparable in mission and program structure to CiB.
• America in Bloom: US-based community beautification and environmental quality competition following the same judging/rating model as CiB. Participates in the same International Challenge and competes for the same municipal audience in North America.
• Les Fleurons du Québec: Quebec's provincial community beautification classification program (1–5 fleurons) — directly mirrors CiB's 1–5 Bloom rating system. Operates as a CiB provincial partner in Quebec using effectively the same evaluation philosophy.
• Keep America Beautiful: The largest US nonprofit focused on litter prevention, waste reduction, and community beautification. Comparable in mission (community appearance and environmental stewardship), with significantly larger scale and corporate sponsor base.
• Britain in Bloom (Royal Horticultural Society): The UK's flagship community gardening and horticultural excellence competition, run by the Royal Horticultural Society. CiB is a direct international partner — both programs use competitive judging, bloom ratings, and multi-tier criteria to evaluate communities on beautification and environmental stewardship.
• Tidy Towns (Ireland): Ireland's national community beautification and sustainability competition; one of CiB's named International Challenge partners. Operates with a similar volunteer-judge, multi-criteria model targeting municipalities.

Emerging players

• Japan in Bloom: Japanese community beautification initiative named as a partner in CiB's International Challenge. Uses a comparable competitive evaluation approach for municipalities, but is smaller in scale than CiB or Britain in Bloom.
• Comuni Fioriti (Italy): Italian community beautification and floral-decorations competition named as a CiB International Challenge partner. Operates a comparable competitive judging model for Italian municipalities, with smaller scale and brand presence than CiB or its larger European peers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/cibcef
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC4GJoDaDeLltfT_1XZQJKYQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/communitiesinbloom
• Instagraminstagram.com/cibcef
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/communities-in-bloom

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 Communities in Bloom Foundation