Dufferin Child and Family Foundation

What Dufferin Child and Family Foundation does

Dufferin Child and Family Foundation (DCAFF) is the fundraising arm of Dufferin Child & Family Services (DCAFS), a multi-service non-profit social services agency headquartered in Orangeville, Ontario, and serving children, youth, adults, caregivers, and families across Dufferin County. DCAFS delivers four integrated service lines: child and youth mental health (24/7 crisis support, the walk-in Talk-In Clinic, YWHO Dufferin, and the GLOW 2SLGBTQ+ youth group), child welfare (foster care, adoption, and the Headwaters Family Visit Centre), developmental support services (coordinated service planning, Early Years/ICAN programs, and FASD support), and Behaviour Solutions autism services delivered under the Ontario Autism Program. All client services are provided free of charge. Operations run from two Orangeville locations (655 Riddell Road headquarters and 224 Centennial Road, Behaviour Solutions) with extended Tuesday/Wednesday hours up to 8:15 pm.

The organization's revenue model blends provincial government core funding — primarily from the Ontario Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services for the Ontario Passport Program and Ontario Autism Program — with charitable donations raised through DCAFF via individual giving, corporate sponsorships, and events such as the FORE DCAFS Golf Classic ($32,000 raised in 2025) and the Annual Charity Hockey Game ($12,000 in 2025). DCAFS holds a four-year accreditation from the Canadian Centre for Accreditation (awarded May 2024) and is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors under CEO Jennifer Moore and Board Chair Bernadette Hardaker. The agency's go-to-market is community-led: services are accessed through self-referral, school and first-responder referrals, partner agencies, and a 24/7 phone line, with marketing conducted via social media, a weekly eNewsletter, local earned media, and community events rather than paid advertising. There is no technology platform, API, or AI capability; the offering is entirely service-based and geographically constrained to Dufferin County.

Name

Dufferin Child and Family Foundation

Legal name

Dufferin Child & Family Services

Website

https://dcafs.on.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

2022

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Dufferin Child and Family Foundation is the fundraising arm of Dufferin Child & Family Services, a non-profit agency in Orangeville, Ontario, delivering free child welfare, youth mental health, developmental, and autism services to residents of Dufferin County.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Social Services

NAICS

Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Child and Youth Services (62411), Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Special Education, Disability Support & Inclusive Education Nonprofits (BPAGADAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Youth Housing, Foster Care & Wraparound Support (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAO), Early Childhood Education & Childcare Nonprofits (BPAGADAA), Child Protection & Child Rights (BPAGABAG)

Keywords

• Child and youth mental health
• Child welfare services
• Developmental support services
• Autism behaviour services
• Community fundraising foundation

Headquarters

HQ city

Orangeville

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Government Core Funding: DCAFS receives foundational government funding to provide core services in child welfare, mental health, developmental support, and autism services. The Dufferin Child and Family Foundation (DCAFF) raises supplemental funds to fill gaps and enhance programs beyond core offerings.
2. Donations and Fundraising: The organization receives donations through the Dufferin Child and Family Foundation (DCAFF), including individual donations, corporate sponsorships, and event-based fundraising such as golf classics and charity hockey games. Funds support specific programs like the Early Learners Group and youth apprenticeship tools.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Dufferin Child and Family Foundation (DCAFF) is the charitable fundraising arm of Dufferin Child & Family Services (DCAFS), a multi-service nonprofit agency that raises and grants funds to enhance services for children, youth, adults, caregivers, and families in Dufferin County, Ontario. DCAFS delivers integrated child welfare, mental health, developmental support, and autism services (including the Behaviour Solutions sub-brand for Ontario Autism Program services such as ABA therapy, respite, art therapy, and music therapy), all provided free of charge to clients through government core funding and supplemental philanthropic support from DCAFF.

Product overview

Dufferin Child and Family Services (DCAFS) operates as a multi-service social services agency serving Dufferin County, Ontario. The organization provides an integrated portfolio of services organized into four core service areas: Child & Youth Mental Health (including crisis support, Talk-In Clinic, YWHO Dufferin, and GLOW 2SLGBTQ+ youth group), Child Welfare (protection services, foster care, adoption, and Headwaters Family Visit Centre), Developmental Support Services (service coordination, Early Years ICAN programs, FASD support), and Behaviour Solutions (autism services under the Ontario Autism Program offering ABA therapy, respite, art and music therapy). These services are delivered under the operational brand Behaviour Solutions for autism-specific programming. The Dufferin Child and Family Foundation (DCAFF) serves as the philanthropic arm, raising funds to enhance programs beyond core government-funded services. The organization holds accreditation from the Canadian Centre for Accreditation and does not offer technology products or APIs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Behaviour Solutions: Autism services and behaviour support programs including Ontario Autism Program, ABA therapy, respite services, art therapy, and music therapy.
• GLOW
• YWHO Dufferin – Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario

Products and services

• Child & Youth Mental Health Services Comprehensive mental health services for children and youth in Dufferin County including 24/7 crisis support, same-day walk-in Talk-In Clinic access, Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario (YWHO Dufferin), and GLOW 2SLGBTQ+ youth group programming.
• Child Welfare Services Child protection services for Dufferin County including reporting of concerns for child well-being, foster care placement, adoption services, and the Headwaters Family Visit Centre for supervised family visits.
• Developmental Support Services Services for individuals with developmental needs in Dufferin County including coordinated service planning, DS Service Coordination Program for children and adults, Early Years Programs (ICAN), and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) support.
• Behaviour Solutions (Autism Services) Autism and behavioural support services operating under the Ontario Autism Program, offering ABA therapy options, foundational family services, respite services, art therapy, and music therapy for individuals with autism in Dufferin County.
• Dufferin Child and Family Foundation (DCAFF) The charitable fundraising arm of DCAFS that raises funds through individual donations, corporate sponsorships, and event-based fundraising (FORE DCAFS Golf Classic, Annual Charity Hockey Game, Holiday Give Campaign, Giving Tuesday) to enhance quality of life and support essential programs beyond core government-funded services.

Quantifiable outcome

• 66 community partner participants trained in Violence Threat Risk Assessment (VTRA) across school boards, mental health agencies, and first responder organizations.
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Boston Pizza (Shelbourne)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 16 September 2025Hosted a community fundraising event for the Autism Walk, where DCAFS staff served as waiters to raise awareness and funds for autism services in Dufferin County.
• County of Dufferin Paramedic ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 August 2025Partnered with DCAFS for the Reach For It! FASD community event, joining Dufferin OPP and Orangeville Fire to create a welcoming environment for children and youth with FASD through positive first responder interactions.
• Orangeville Dairy QueenminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 28 August 2025Provided food and refreshments for the Reach For It! FASD community event, supporting DCAFS community programs with in-kind donations.
• Shelburne Golf and Country ClubminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 11 June 2025Hosted the FORE DCAFS 2025 Golf Classic, which raised $32,000 for community programs. Provided venue and support for the annual fundraising event.
• Brackett Auto GroupminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 11 June 2025Championship Sponsor of the FORE DCAFS 2025 Golf Classic, which raised $32,000. Represented as a major corporate sponsor of the annual fundraising event.
• Crewsone Insurance GroupminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 11 June 2025Eagle Sponsor of the FORE DCAFS 2025 Golf Classic. Major corporate sponsor supporting the annual fundraising event.
• Ontario Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 April 2025Funds the Ontario Passport Program, which DCAFS administers through its Adult Service Coordination program to support adults with developmental disabilities in Dufferin County with community participation and independence.
• Dufferin Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 March 2025OPP Dufferin Detachment partnered with DCAFS for the Annual Charity Hockey Game (March 2025, raised $12,000) and for the Reach For It! FASD community event. Officers, Auxiliary Officers participated in community engagement programs with children and youth.
• Orangeville Fire DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 March 2025Orangeville Fire Department partnered with DCAFS for the Annual Charity Hockey Game and the Reach For It! FASD community event, supporting community engagement and fundraising for local families.
• Planet Bayou: Wake ParkminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 15 March 2025Served as sponsor of the 2025 Annual Charity Hockey Game between Dufferin OPP and Orangeville Fire Department, which raised $12,000 split between DCAFS and Orangeville Foodbank.
• Buddy and Melody PittminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 19 December 2024Donated 100 grocery gift cards worth $80 each ($8,000 total) to DCAFS Holiday Give Campaign, supporting families in Dufferin County for over a decade of ongoing generosity.
• Ontario High VoltageminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 18 December 2024Donated twelve toys to DCAFS Holiday Give Campaign, demonstrating corporate community support for families in Dufferin County during the holiday season.
• Waste Connections CanadaminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 16 December 2024Joint initiative with Cycle Path Woodbridge built and donated over 150 bicycles, including seven bikes and helmets to DCAFS for children in the Dufferin community.
• Cycle Path WoodbridgeminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 16 December 2024Partnered with Waste Connections Canada to build and donate over 150 bicycles, including seven bikes and helmets to DCAFS for Dufferin County children.
• Roto-MillminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 13 December 2024Donated $1,000 to the Dufferin Child and Family Foundation to support vulnerable children, youth, adults, caregivers, and families within the Dufferin community.
• Shelburne Fire DepartmentminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 December 2024Organized a Gift and Food Drive for nearly 15 years, providing holiday donations to DCAFS recipients. Long-standing community partner supporting families during the holiday season.
• St. John's Anglican ChurchminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 December 2024Assisted DCAFS in sorting and organizing holiday donations from the Shelburne Fire Department's Gift and Food Drive, supporting families in the Dufferin community.
• Zehrs (Orangeville)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 28 August 2024Provided food, supplies, snacks, and drinks for the Reach For It! FASD community event, supporting DCAFS community programs with in-kind donations.
• CMHA-WW (Canadian Mental Health Association Waterloo Wellington)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCMHA-WW partnered with DCAFS as a VTRA (Violence Threat Risk Assessment) trainer. CMHA-WW is a key mental health partner in the Guelph-Wellington-Dufferin region, collaborating on cross-agency trauma-informed practices and VTRA protocols for community safety.
• Compass Community ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCompass Community Services participated as a VTRA trainer alongside DCAFS in the two-day Violence Threat Risk Assessment training for 66 community partner participants. Represents a key mental health and social services partner in the region.
• Upper Grand District School BoardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipated as a VTRA trainer and community partner in the Guelph-Wellington-Dufferin VTRA Protocol. School board staff attended the two-day VTRA training along with 66 other community partner participants.
• Wellington Catholic District School BoardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipated as a VTRA trainer in the Guelph-Wellington-Dufferin VTRA training initiative. Contributed to cross-agency collaboration for trauma-informed violence prevention in schools and community.
• Dufferin Child and Family Foundation (DCAFF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Dufferin Child and Family Foundation (DCAFF) is the fundraising arm of DCAFS, raising supplemental funds to enhance programs beyond core government-funded services. DCAFF funded the Passport Information Night, Early Learners Group, and youth apprenticeship support.
• Centre for Trauma Informed Practices (CTIP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCTIP provides the trauma-informed framework that guides the Guelph-Wellington-Dufferin VTRA Protocol. DCAFS participates in VTRA training based on CTIP practices for identifying, monitoring, assessing, intervening, and preventing pathways to violence.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Kinark Child and Family Services: Multi-service child and youth mental health and developmental services agency serving multiple Ontario regions; comparable to DCAFS in its integrated child welfare/autism/mental health mandate and accredited nonprofit structure, with a similarly named foundation arm.
• Children's Aid Society of Toronto: Large urban children's aid society providing child protection, foster care, adoption, and youth mental health services; mirrors DCAFS's multi-service mandate and government-funded nonprofit model at a larger scale.
• Family Services of Peel: Community-based nonprofit offering counseling, youth mental health, and family support across Peel Region; closely comparable to DCAFS's family/caregiver and youth mental health programs and its reliance on donations plus government funding.
• Compass Community Services: Mental health and social services agency in Guelph-Wellington serving youth and families; named VTRA partner of DCAFS and directly comparable in geography, scope, and trauma-informed practice approach.
• Peel Children's Aid Society: Ontario child welfare agency delivering protection, foster care, and adoption services; directly comparable to DCAFS's Child Welfare service line and similar to DCAFS in operating under provincial MCCSS funding with community-based fundraising.
• Canadian Mental Health Association - Waterloo Wellington (CMHA-WW): Regional mental health nonprofit offering counseling, crisis support, and community programs; directly comparable to DCAFS's mental health and VTRA mandate and a current strategic partner in the Guelph-Wellington-Dufferin region.
• Yorktown Family Services: Toronto-area nonprofit providing child and youth mental health, autism services, and family counseling; comparable in service mix (mental health, autism, family support) and Ontario government funding model.

Broad incumbents

• Children's Mental Health Ontario: Provincial association representing Ontario's child and youth mental health service providers; DCAFS is a member agency and the association's broader policy and funding advocacy directly shapes the funding environment for DCAFS's mental health programs.

Others

• Ontario Autism Program (Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services): Provincial program under which DCAFS's Behaviour Solutions delivers autism services; not a peer but a key funding/contractual counterparty whose policy and funding decisions directly shape DCAFS's autism service revenue.

Regional players

• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Dufferin: Dufferin-based youth mentoring nonprofit serving the same county; comparable as a community-led nonprofit serving children/youth in the same geographic market, though with a narrower mentoring focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/DCAFS
• Facebookfacebook.com/CMHatDCAFS
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/dufferin-child-&-family-services
• Instagraminstagram.com/dufferinchildandfamilyservices

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 Dufferin Child and Family Foundation