LA FONDATION A PAS DE GEANTS - MONTREAL

What LA FONDATION A PAS DE GEANTS - MONTREAL does

LA FONDATION A PAS DE GEANTS - MONTREAL (operating as Giant Steps / École à pas de géant) is a private, non-profit organization founded in 1980 and based in Montreal, Canada, that delivers specialized autism education, therapeutic services, and inclusion programming across the lifespan. The organization operates through three integrated divisions: the Giant Steps School (intensive, individualized educational and therapeutic programs for autistic students aged 4–21, offered in French and English), the Resource and Training Centre (community training, consultation, lending library, and professional development), and the Giant Steps Foundation (philanthropic arm responsible for raising over $1,000,000 annually). Service offerings include speech, occupational, music, and behavior therapy; an inclusion program unique in Quebec that places students in community schools; the Polaris Enterprise vocational program for autistic adults aged 21+; the First Responders Autism Training (deployed Canada-wide and mandatory for new SPVM recruits); and the ASD-Cyber-Safe digital safety curriculum.

The business model is a hybrid of public funding and philanthropy: the school is recognized in the public interest and subsidized by the Ministère de l'Éducation du Québec, with approximately 80% of operating costs covered by government grants and the remaining ~20% financed through annual fundraising campaigns, auctions, major gifts, and third-party events. Families pay modest, regulated annual fees (registration $200, supervision $720, materials $220, Parents Committee $60). The Resource and Training Centre is monetized through workshops and consultation, while the Foundation runs a DonorPerfect-powered online giving portal. The customer base spans autistic children/youth, autistic adults, families, school boards, first-responder agencies, and corporate partners such as Loblaw Companies Ltd (employment placements). Approximately 100 staff serve 90 students with a minimum 3:1 staff-to-classroom ratio, and the Giant Steps Centre (opened September 2023) extends the model to lifespan-wide support.

Giant Steps is governed by an independent volunteer board, with no parent company; strategic decisions sit with separate School and Foundation boards. Its competitive position rests on 45 years of domain expertise, regulatory designation as a complementary service to Quebec school boards, research collaborations with all major Quebec universities, and a cross-sector partnership network (SPVM, Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport, Loblaw, EY, Ready Willing and Able, La Capitale, performing-arts organizations). Programs have been replicated internationally, reinforcing reputational and intangible-asset advantages.

Name

LA FONDATION A PAS DE GEANTS - MONTREAL

Legal name

Giant Steps School (École à pas de géant)

Website

https://giantstepsmontreal.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Giant Steps Montreal is a non-profit (founded 1980) operating a specialized school and Resource & Training Centre that deliver individualized autism education, therapy, and inclusion programs for autistic students aged 4–21 and adults aged 21+, funded primarily by Quebec Ministry of Education subsidies and Foundation fundraising.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Special Education Services

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Educational Support Services (611710), Other Schools and Instruction (6116), Educational Support Services (61171)

SIC

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

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAKAAAA

Autism-Specific Schools & Programs

Education/Special Education & Learning Support Services/Special Education Schools & Programs

SECONDARYEDAKAKAC

Autism Classroom & School Program Support (Inclusion/Resource)

Education/Special Education & Learning Support Services/Autism Support Services (Educational)

SECONDARYEDAKAKAK

Autism Transition Planning & Postsecondary Readiness (Educational)

Education/Special Education & Learning Support Services/Autism Support Services (Educational)

SECONDARYEDAKAKAJ

Autism Parent/Caregiver Education & Training (School-Linked)

Education/Special Education & Learning Support Services/Autism Support Services (Educational)

SECONDARYEDAGAMAK

Autism Support Instructional Materials (Structured Teaching, Visual Supports)

Education/Educational Publishing & Learning Content/Instructional Materials for Special Education

Keywords

• Autism education services
• Special education school
• Therapeutic services
• Autism training programs
• Vocational integration services

Headquarters

HQ city

Montreal

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government Subsidies and Public Funding: Giant Steps School is a private school recognized and subsidized in the public interest by the Ministère de l'Éducation du Québec. Approximately 80% of operating costs are covered by government funding.
2. Foundation Fundraising: The Giant Steps Foundation raises over $1,000,000 per year to cover the remaining ~20% of annual operating costs not funded by government subsidies. Fundraising activities include annual campaign, annual auction, major gifts program, third-party events, in memoriam/in honour gifts, gifts in kind and shares, and vehicle donations.
3. Registration and Program Fees: Families pay annual registration fees ($200) and additional fees for lunchtime supervision ($720), school materials ($220), and Parents Committee fees ($60). Optional paid services include before/after school program and private therapy sessions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Giant Steps operates a specialized school in Montreal serving autistic students aged 4–21 with individualized academic, therapeutic, and inclusion programming, including its Forest School outdoor program. Through its Resource and Training Centre, the foundation also delivers training programs to first responders, corporations, and community organizations on autism awareness and inclusion, plus the Polaris Enterprise vocational-integration service for autistic adults.

Product overview

LA FONDATION A PAS DE GEANTS - MONTREAL operates as a multi-component organization offering autism education and support services. The core offering is the Giant Steps School, a private educational institution for autistic students aged 4-21 with therapeutic services. The Resource and Training Centre provides community support through training, consultation, and library services. Specialized programs include the First Responders Autism Training (online training for emergency personnel), ASD-Cyber-Safe (internet safety education), and Polaris Enterprise (employment readiness). The Inclusion Program enables students to attend community schools with professional support. The Foundation supports all programs through fundraising initiatives.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Autism-Inclusive Cities Project: A project that raises awareness and creates opportunities in many aspects of city life that can be difficult for individuals on the autism spectrum, covering areas such as government policy, emergency personnel training, public transit, urban planning, the arts, and employment.
• Polaris Enterprise
• ASD-Cyber-Safe
• First Responders Autism Training
• Horizon 21

Products and services

• Giant Steps School Specialized school serving autistic students aged 4–21, delivering individualized academic programming, integrated therapeutic services, and inclusion support at the Montreal campus.
• Inclusion Program Program supporting the integration of autistic students into mainstream Quebec schools, providing coaching, training, and on-site support to mainstream schools and classrooms.
• Forest School Program Outdoor-education program within the Giant Steps School offering nature-based learning as part of the curriculum for autistic students.
• Resource and Training Centre Community-facing unit delivering autism-awareness and inclusion training programs to first responders, corporations, schools, and community organizations, including Autism-Inclusive Cities programming.
• First Responders Autism Training Specialized training program for police, firefighters, and paramedics on safely interacting with autistic individuals, offered both on-site and online with national reach.
• Polaris Enterprise Vocational-integration service supporting autistic adults (21+) into supported employment and workplace coaching through partnerships with employers.
• ASD-Cyber-Safe Educational toolkit addressing cyber-safety and digital risks for autistic children and youth, used by families, schools, and care providers.
• Horizon 21 Conference Annual conference convened by Giant Steps bringing together stakeholders on autism and inclusion, including corporate partners such as Loblaw.
• Intersection Art Art-based initiative that uses artistic expression to foster inclusion and awareness of autism across the community.
• Therapeutic Services Integrated therapeutic services (speech, occupational, behavioural, and related therapies) delivered alongside academic programming on the Giant Steps campus.

Quantifiable outcome

• Students transition from specialized program back into community schools annually
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 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

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Loblaws Companies LimitedflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 June 2021Major sponsor of Horizon 21 conference (Accelerating Employment of Autistic Adults) and ongoing partner for the Polaris Enterprise employment program. Loblaw Companies Ltd provides job-specific employment opportunities for autistic adults aged 21+ who complete the Polaris Enterprise vocational program. This is a flagship multi-year initiative combining education, training, and employment.
• Ready, Willing and AblecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 June 2021Sponsor of Horizon 21 conference alongside Loblaws and EY. Ready, Willing and Able is a Canadian initiative supporting autistic adults in employment.
• EY (Ernst & Young)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 June 2021Sponsor of Horizon 21 conference on accelerating employment of autistic adults, contributing to the event's delivery as a major professional services firm partner.
• Pierre Elliott Trudeau International AirportcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to offer the Premium Kids program, sensitizing families and autistic individuals to the airport environment and flying process. Part of the Autism-Inclusive Cities Project.
• SPVM (Service de police de la Ville de Montréal)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAll new SPVM recruits receive Giant Steps First Responders Autism Training as part of the Autism-Inclusive Cities Project. Giant Steps provides ongoing training to Montreal police on autism awareness.
• La Capitale - rayonneDONminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on a video training tool for school bus drivers on ASD strategies, producing an educational video resource.
• Wagar Adult Education Centre (English Montreal School Board)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Horizon 21 conference alongside Giant Steps and Loblaw Companies Ltd. Part of the broader employment ecosystem for autistic adults in Montreal.
• RTSA – TACCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner referenced in Horizon 21 conference context as part of the autism employment initiative network.
• Quebec UniversitiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborations with all major Quebec universities play a major role in the advancement of science and research in autism education and therapeutic services.
• Performing Arts OrganizationsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with performing arts organizations to provide relaxed (autism-friendly) theatre performances, making cultural events accessible to autistic individuals.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Geneva Centre for Autism: Toronto-based non-profit delivering autism education, therapy, and training programs across the lifespan. Highly comparable as a Canadian specialty autism school with government funding and a resource/training arm, operating in an adjacent province with similar service breadth.
• Miriam Foundation: Montreal-based non-profit supporting children and adults with intellectual disabilities and autism through services, training, and fundraising. Direct geographic peer operating in the same Montreal autism services ecosystem with comparable school and adult programs.
• Pacific Autism Family Centre: British Columbia non-profit providing lifespan autism services, training, and research through a single hub. Closely comparable in its hub-and-spoke model, lifespan service offering, and government-supported non-profit structure.
• Sinneave Family Foundation: Calgary-based non-profit focused on autism across the lifespan, offering employment readiness, transition, and community inclusion programs. Comparable as a Canadian lifespan-focused autism non-profit with corporate partnerships and a Resource & Training function analogous to Giant Steps' Centre.
• Kerry's Place Autism Services: Ontario's largest autism services non-profit offering residential, educational, vocational, and community programs for autistic children and adults. Directly comparable given its full-lifespan service model, government funding, and inclusion-focused mission similar to Giant Steps.
• MAB-Mackay Rehabilitation Centre: Montreal-based rehabilitation and special education centre serving children with disabilities, including autism, through school and therapy programs. Direct local peer with comparable subsidized school and multidisciplinary therapy model.

Broad incumbents

• Autism Canada: National autism organization focused on advocacy, awareness, and national programs. Relevant as a peer in the Canadian autism non-profit ecosystem but does not operate schools or direct services.
• Autism Speaks Canada: National autism advocacy and services organization with a much broader scope than Giant Steps. Comparable as a Canada-wide autism non-profit but operates at a higher strategic level (advocacy, grants) rather than as a direct service school.

Others

• Learning Disabilities Association of Quebec: Quebec non-profit providing support, training, and advocacy for individuals with learning disabilities including autism. Comparable as a Quebec-based special-needs non-profit but broader in scope than Giant Steps' autism-specific focus.

Regional players

• ACT - Autism Community Training: British Columbia-based non-profit delivering autism training, online courses, and family/professional resources. Closely comparable to Giant Steps' Resource & Training Centre but focused regionally on BC and Western Canada.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/GiantStepsQC
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCQFIPwC8y_5993S7bZFSNjw
• Facebookfacebook.com/giantstepsmontreal
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/giant-steps-school

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Subsidiaries2 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 LA FONDATION A PAS DE GEANTS - MONTREAL