L'Arche Toronto Foundation

What L'Arche Toronto Foundation does

L'Arche Toronto Homes Inc., operating as L'Arche Toronto Foundation, is a registered Canadian charitable non-profit founded in 1996 (legally incorporated 2004) that provides residential and community-based support for adults with intellectual disabilities in the east end of Toronto. Its core offering consists of five community homes located in East York, south of the Danforth, and Regent Park, where core members share daily life with assistants in households of eight to ten people. The organization also operates a Day Program supporting individual and shared interests (cooking, crafts, swimming, city exploration), the fee-for-service Trying It on For Size (TIFS) life skills program launched in 2018, and Sol Express — a creative and performing arts program launched in 2007.

The underlying operating model is relational rather than technology-based; L'Arche Toronto explicitly does not rely on proprietary platforms. Programmatic delivery is supported by standard non-profit infrastructure: DonorPerfect for online donations, the My Community Hub platform for TIFS and Sol Express registration, and Flipsnack for newsletter distribution. A capital project (Oak House) is under construction in Regent Park with 2026 occupancy to add six deeply affordable, fully accessible rental units, developed in partnership with The Daniels Corporation.

Revenue is generated through three primary streams: recurring base funding from the Ontario Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS) for residential and day supports, individual donations and monthly giving (over $25,000 annually from monthly donors), and fee-for-service revenue from TIFS and Sol Express (accessed via DSO-administered Passport funding). Capital campaigns (e.g., Oak House's $3.9M target) and annual events such as the Masquerade Fundraiser, Harvest Howl, and May Games 2026 provide episodic fundraising. Go-to-market is community-led: referrals from families, caregivers, and government pathways through Developmental Services Ontario. L'Arche Toronto operates as one of 30 communities within L'Arche Canada and a member of the International Federation of L'Arche Communities (150 communities across 37 countries).

Name

L'Arche Toronto Foundation

Legal name

L'Arche Toronto Homes Inc.

Website

https://larchetoronto.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

L'Arche Toronto Foundation is a registered Canadian non-profit that operates five community homes and supporting programs (Day Program, TIFS, Sol Express) in Toronto for adults with intellectual disabilities, funded primarily by Ontario's MCCSS, donations, and Passport fees.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Support Services (Residential and Community Living)

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability Facilities (62321), Other Community Housing Services (624229), Social Assistance (624)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050)

akta.pro primary industry

Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech) (BPAGALAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Affordable Housing & Community Development (Housing, Community Land Trusts) (BPAGALAC), Special Needs Adult Day Programs (Developmental/Physical Disabilities, Seniors) (HLADAIAI)

Keywords

• Disability support services
• Supported living programs
• Community residential care
• Life skills training
• Creative arts inclusion

Headquarters

HQ city

Toronto

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Funding (MCCSS): L'Arche Toronto receives base funding from the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS) for its five homes and day supports. This is the primary, recurring government funding stream that covers core operational costs of residential and day programs.
2. Donations and Fundraising: Individual donations, monthly giving programs, legacy/bequest gifts, gifts of securities, and tribute donations. L'Arche relies on donors to fund services not covered by government, as well as innovative programs like TIFS and Sol Express that receive no government funding. Monthly donors collectively contribute over $25,000 annually.
3. Fee-for-Service Programs (TIFS and Sol Express): Sol Express and TIFS are fee-for-service programs not funded by MCCSS. Adults with developmental disabilities can apply for Passport funding through DSO to cover these fees. The programs are accessed through My Community Hub.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

L'Arche Toronto Foundation operates five community homes and a suite of day programs that provide residential support, life skills training, creative arts engagement, and personal care for adults with intellectual disabilities in Toronto's east end. Innovative fee-for-service programs (TIFS for independent living, Sol Express for creative/performing arts) complement the government-funded core residential and day supports. The organization's defining feature is its relational model in which core members and assistants share daily life, fostering mutually transforming relationships.

Product overview

L'Arche Toronto is a community organization providing support for people with intellectual disabilities through five residential homes and multiple programs. The core offerings include L'Arche Homes (residential support), Sol Express (creative and performing arts program), Trying It on For Size/TIFS (life skills and independent living program), Day Program (day supports), and the Gathering Place (community space). Additional programs include River House (accessible housing) and Oak House (under development). The organization also offers Accessibility and Inclusion and Partners in Belonging advocacy programs. L'Arche employs a unique relational model where core members and assistants develop gifts and abilities through relationships of mutual care.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Sol Express: Creative and performing arts program providing opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities to explore and share their gifts and stories through creative expression including movement, voice, theatre, dance, painting, and drawing
• Trying It on For Size (TIFS)
• Day Program
• River House
• Oak House

Products and services

• L'Arche Homes (Residential Support) Five community homes on Toronto's east side (East York, Danforth, Regent Park) providing 24/7 residential support for adults with intellectual disabilities. Core members share daily life with assistants in households of eight to ten people, receiving personal care, shared home life, and community participation support. Base funding is provided by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS), with residential access administered through Developmental Services Ontario (DSO).
• Sol Express (Creative and Performing Arts) A fee-for-service creative and performing arts program for individuals with developmental disabilities. Participants work with professional artists across movement, voice, theatre, dance, painting, and drawing media. Participants can apply for Passport funding through DSO to cover fees, and the program is accessed via My Community Hub.
• Trying It on For Size (TIFS) A fee-for-service life skills and independent living program for people with intellectual disabilities. Through person-centered curriculum and experiential learning, participants increase confidence and capacity to discover places of belonging and live more independently. Accessed via My Community Hub; participants can use Passport funding through DSO.
• Day Program Day support program funded by MCCSS that enables individuals with intellectual disabilities to pursue individual and shared interests such as cooking, crafts, swimming, and exploring the city. Day supports are accessed through Developmental Services Ontario (DSO).
• River House Eight-bedroom accessible community home in the Daniels Artworks condominiums at Dundas and River Streets in Regent Park. Co-created with Daniels Corporation, River House serves as one of L'Arche Toronto's five residential homes for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
• Oak House A new L'Arche Toronto home under construction in Regent Park providing six deeply affordable, fully accessible rental units within two interconnected condo suites. Designed for both aging core members and younger members seeking smaller, quieter settings. Capital campaign target: $3.9 million. Slated for occupancy in 2026.
• Accessibility and Inclusion Program Program focused on strengthening a culture of belonging through voice and choice initiatives, inclusive participation, and co-learning and co-leading opportunities for persons with disabilities. Includes the iBelong! and Youth Leaders initiatives led by L'Arche Canada in collaboration with local communities.
• Partners in Belonging (Advocacy) Social policy engagement and disability rights advocacy program working with partners such as the Canadian Disability Network and Disability Without Poverty to promote legislation, policy, and practices that improve social inclusion of people with disabilities in Canada — including advocacy for the Canadian Disability Benefit, which received royal assent on June 22, 2023.

Quantifiable outcome

• 60+ individuals with disabilities supported annually to achieve meaningful lives and community belonging
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Government of Canada (Canadian Disability Benefit)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2023After years of focused advocacy by L'Arche Canada and its partners, the Canada Disability Benefit Act received royal assent on June 22, 2023, establishing the framework for a new benefit to lift working-age persons with disabilities in Canada out of poverty. L'Arche Canada is engaged in the regulatory phase.
• L'Arche CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerL'Arche Toronto is one of 30 communities part of L'Arche Canada. The national organization provides governance, shared mission, resources, advocacy leadership, and connection to the International Federation of L'Arche Communities (150 communities in 37 countries). L'Arche Canada leads national initiatives including iBelong!, Partners in Belonging, Accessibility and Inclusion, and Youth Leaders program.
• International Federation of L'Arche CommunitiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA network of 150 L'Arche communities and 30 projects in 37 countries around the world. L'Arche Toronto participates in this global network, contributing to and benefiting from international knowledge-sharing, advocacy, and community-building frameworks.
• The Daniels CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Daniels Corporation co-created River House with L'Arche Toronto — an eight-bedroom unit in their Artworks condominiums at Dundas and River Streets in Regent Park. Daniels also partnered on the second Regent Park condo project (Oak House). Mitchell Cohen, President and CEO of Daniels, authored 'Rhythms of Change' documenting the Regent Park revitalization. Daniels is implementing an Accessibility Design Program developed in part through feedback from L'Arche.
• Developmental Services Ontario (DSO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDSO is the gateway for accessing residential supports at L'Arche Toronto homes. Individuals apply through DSO to access government-funded residential supports. DSO also administers Passport funding that individuals can use to cover fees for L'Arche's Sol Express and TIFS programs.
• Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMCCSS provides base funding for L'Arche Toronto's five homes and day supports. L'Arche Toronto is compliant with MCCSS requirements, as evidenced by their posted compliance letter. MCCSS is the primary government funding source for the organization's core operations.
• Epilepsy TorontominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEpilepsy Toronto partnered with L'Arche Toronto on Securing Futures, an online program for individuals with epilepsy. Leslie Bates, a TIFS graduate, participated in Epilepsy Toronto's inaugural online program alongside her TIFS studies, and L'Arche Toronto worked with Epilepsy Toronto to ensure her success.
• StopGap FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStopGap Foundation, led by Luke Anderson, conducted 'roll-through' accessibility evaluations with Daniels Corporation. Their feedback helped shape the Accessibility Design Program and ultimately River House. StopGap is part of the Accelerating Accessibility Coalition (AAC) working to improve accessibility in buildings and communities.
• AccessNow (Maayan Ziv)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAccessNow, led by Maayan Ziv, conducted a Regent Park 'Map Mission' with Daniels Corporation to identify accessibility features and gaps in the buildings. This assessment contributed to the development of enhanced accessibility standards applied to River House and subsequent buildings.
• Rick Hansen FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Rick Hansen Foundation works with Daniels Corporation to ensure new buildings achieve Rick Hansen Gold certification — the highest accessibility certification level. This partnership has informed the accessibility standards in L'Arche's River House and other Regent Park buildings.
• Accelerating Accessibility Coalition (AAC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAn industry coalition co-founded by Daniels Corporation and including StopGap, AccessNow, Rick Hansen Foundation, Older Women's Network, Sunnybrook Hospital, Seneca College, and University of Toronto. Led by Linda Welchel and ULI Toronto's Richard Joy, the AAC aims to advance accessibility standards across the Canadian building industry.
• Canadian Disability NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerL'Arche Canada collaborates with the Canadian Disability Network to increase the participation of persons with intellectual disabilities in community processes and promote disability rights and social justice.
• Disability Without PovertyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerL'Arche Canada partners with Disability Without Poverty as part of advocacy efforts to improve the social inclusion of people with disabilities in Canada, including work on the Canadian Disability Benefit.
• Tamarack InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerL'Arche Canada is exploring Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) hosted by the Tamarack Institute, working with municipalities, neighbourhoods, and organizations across Canada to deepen community and put citizens at the centre of community-building efforts. Some L'Arche communities participate in Cities Deepening Community.
• My Community HubcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMy Community Hub is the platform through which individuals access Sol Express and TIFS programs. The platform lists L'Arche Toronto programs and allows participants to sign up for program sessions.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves15 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Reena: Toronto-area nonprofit providing residential supports, day programs, and community participation services for individuals with developmental disabilities. Shares the same DSO/MCCSS funding environment and serves overlapping client populations in the Greater Toronto Area.
• Community Living Toronto: One of the largest Ontario providers of residential and day supports for adults with intellectual disabilities. Operates group homes and day programs across Toronto funded by MCCSS through DSO — directly comparable service model, geography, and funding pathway to L'Arche Toronto.
• Surrey Place (Toronto): Toronto-based provider of clinical and community services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Comparable Toronto footprint and DSO-aligned service delivery, with an emphasis on lifespan support including residential, day, and clinical care.
• L'Arche Canada: National federation of 30 L'Arche communities across Canada, of which L'Arche Toronto is one. Provides shared mission, governance, advocacy, and program frameworks including iBelong!, Partners in Belonging, and the Canadian Disability Benefit advocacy campaign.
• Extend-A-Family Kingston: Ontario nonprofit supporting people with intellectual disabilities through direct funding to families and personalized support networks. Operates within the same DSO-funded ecosystem and shares the relational, person-centred ethos that distinguishes L'Arche from traditional care providers.
• L'Arche Daybreak: L'Arche Daybreak is the original L'Arche community in Canada (Richmond Hill, ON) from which L'Arche Toronto separated in 1996. It operates the same relational model of shared homes and day programs for adults with intellectual disabilities, sharing mission, governance frameworks, and the L'Arche Canada umbrella.

Emerging players

• Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital: Toronto pediatric rehabilitation hospital serving children and youth with disabilities. Partial overlap on disability services in Toronto; differs in serving a younger population and a more clinical/rehabilitative model rather than L'Arche's long-term residential and community model.
• Epilepsy Toronto: Toronto nonprofit supporting individuals with epilepsy through the Securing Futures program, which L'Arche Toronto has partnered on. Overlaps with L'Arche in serving specific disability populations in Toronto with community-based programs.

Broad incumbents

• March of Dimes Canada: National nonprofit delivering a broad portfolio of disability services including residential, employment, and accessible housing programs across Canada. Overlaps with L'Arche Toronto on residential support and accessibility advocacy but serves a wider disability population beyond intellectual disabilities.

Others

• Canadian Disability Hall of Fame / Canadian Disability Network: National advocacy and policy coalition L'Arche Canada partners with. Listed because L'Arche's advocacy footprint (Canadian Disability Benefit Act, UN participation) runs through this network, making it a strategic partner rather than a direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/larchetoronto
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/l-arche-toronto-homes

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 L'Arche Toronto Foundation