OUT ON THE SHELF INC.

What OUT ON THE SHELF INC. does

Out on the Shelf Inc. (OOTS) is a registered Canadian non-profit organization based in Guelph, Ontario, that operates a 2SLGBTQIA+ library, peer support programs, educational workshops, and Pride events for the community in Guelph and Wellington County. Founded in concept in 1997, opening its physical library on October 20, 2005, and incorporated as a non-profit on January 8, 2008, the organization is described on its own homepage as "almost entirely volunteer-run," with 1-10 paid staff, over 30 volunteers, and over 130 active members.

The organization's core offering is a curated queer library collection of books, films, and materials, browsable online via LibraryCat and accessible during drop-in hours, supplemented by a portfolio of free programs: Trans Peer Programs (including the Exploratory Gender Group and Families in Transition), the OUT² youth group and Queer Mentors pilot for ages 12-25, Social Groups (Gaymes Night, Rainbow Crafters, Queer Writers Group), and weekly trans drop-ins. Direct-aid offerings include the Marley Legacy Project Fund (microgrants up to $250 for transitioning individuals), the Gender Affirming Gear Exchange (launched July 2025, distributing free binders, tucking garments, and related items), and the Transcendence Project (an education, empowerment training, and histories mapping initiative funded by Women and Gender Equality Canada). OOTS also serves as the umbrella organization for Guelph Pride, which has hosted Summer Pride (June) and Winter Pride (February) events since 2003.

The business model is donation- and grant-funded rather than revenue-generating: all services are provided free of charge. Funding streams comprise individual donations collected via CanadaHelps, government and foundation grants (WAGE, United Way Guelph Wellington Dufferin, City of Guelph operating grant), and corporate sponsorships for Guelph Pride events (Co-operators, Magic 106.1, The Neighbourhood Group, MHA Moose Consulting, Speedy Auto Service Guelph, AlectraCARES, Rotary Club of Guelph Trillium, Wellington Brewery). Distribution is primarily physical and place-based through the 42 Carden St library (relocating to Old Quebec Street Shoppes at 55 Wyndham St N in August 2025), Grove Hubs sites, Hive Health Services, and the Guelph Public Library, with a smaller virtual programming layer.

Name

OUT ON THE SHELF INC.

Legal name

Out on the Shelf Inc.

Website

https://outontheshelf.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Out on the Shelf Inc. is a Guelph, Ontario non-profit operating a 2SLGBTQIA+ library, peer support programs, educational workshops, gender-affirming gear distribution, microgrants, and Guelph Pride events for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community in Guelph and Wellington County.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

LGBTQ+ Community Services

NAICS

Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

akta.pro primary industry

LGBTQ+ Rights & Advocacy Organizations (BPAGAFAE)

Keywords

• Community library services
• Peer support programs
• LGBTQ education workshops
• Gender affirming resources
• Pride event organization

Headquarters

HQ city

Guelph

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: Individual and corporate donations collected through CanadaHelps platform. Organization ran $50,000 fundraising campaign for new space move. Charitable donation number #816855159RR0001.
2. Government and Foundation Grants: Funding from government bodies and foundations including Women and Gender Equality Canada (WAGE), United Way Guelph Wellington Dufferin, and City of Guelph operating grants. Funds specific programs like Transcendence Project and Queer Kitchen Project.
3. Sponsorship Revenue: Corporate sponsorships for Guelph Pride events from organizations including The Neighbourhood Group, MHA Moose Consulting, Magic 106.1, Co-operators, Speedy Auto Service Guelph, and others. Includes both financial and in-kind donations.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Out on the Shelf is a Guelph-based non-profit that runs a 2SLGBTQIA+ lending library and resource hub, peer-led programs (Trans Peer Programs, OUT² Youth Group, Queer Mentors, Social Groups, Trans Drop-Ins), free educational workshops for service providers, the Gender Affirming Gear Exchange, the Marley Legacy Project Fund microgrants, and Guelph Pride events. All services are free to community members and delivered through staff, volunteers, and partner organizations across Guelph and Wellington County.

Product overview

Out on the Shelf is a community library and resource center for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community in Guelph and Wellington County, Ontario. The organization operates a physical library collection of books, films, and materials, alongside a portfolio of community programs including peer support groups (Trans Peer Programs, Youth Groups, Social Groups), educational workshops, and support services (Gender Affirming Gear Exchange, Marley Legacy Project Fund). The organization also serves as the umbrella for Guelph Pride and maintains a community events calendar and service directory. All services are provided free or low-cost to support the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Transcendence Project: A project funded by Women and Gender Equality Canada focusing on 2SLGBTQIA+ education, empowerment training, and resources for Guelph-Wellington.
• Marley Legacy Project Fund
• Gender Affirming Gear Exchange

Products and services

• 2SLGBTQIA+ Library Physical lending library and resource hub of books, films, and materials celebrating the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, browsable online via LibraryCat and available during drop-in hours for community members of all ages.
• Trans Peer Programs Peer-led programs including the Exploratory Gender Group (multi-week online program for trans, non-binary, and questioning folks) and Families in Transition, both part of the Transcendence Project, offered free to participants.
• OUT² Youth Group Welcoming spaces for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth ages 12-15 and 16-25 to connect, build community, and participate in activities, delivered in partnership with Grove Hubs at 737 Woolwich St and 130 Woodland Glen Dr.
• Queer Mentors An 8-week pilot program connecting 2SLGBTQIA+ youth ages 12-25 with peers and mentors in a supportive environment featuring social activities, creative projects, and guided conversations.
• Social Groups Monthly social programming including Gaymes Night (board games and card games), Rainbow Crafters (crafting drop-in), Eliza Mitchell's Online Gaymes Night (virtual), and Queer Writers Group, offered free to community members.
• Trans Drop-In Programs Weekly in-person and virtual drop-in spaces for trans, non-binary, gender diverse, and genderqueer individuals to connect and build community, with the in-person drop-in hosted at Hive Health Services (77 Westmount Rd, Guelph).
• Educational Workshops Free 2SLGBTQIA+ educational workshops for service providers in Guelph and Wellington County covering topics including foundations, bias awareness, inclusion in early years settings, creating affirming spaces, youth care, and consultations.
• Resources and Service Directory Online and downloadable resources covering pronouns, gender identity, family support, gender-affirming care, and queer history, plus a directory of local service providers including mental health, body-based support, gender-affirming care, and sexual health services.
• Transcendence Project A project developing and piloting educational workshops, creating resources, mapping 2SLGBTQIA+ histories in Guelph-Wellington, and maintaining an events calendar and service provider directory.
• Gender Affirming Gear Exchange Provides free gender-affirming gear including binders, shapewear, breast forms, tape, packers, gaffs, and tucking garments to trans and gender-diverse community members in Guelph and Wellington County.
• Marley Legacy Project Fund Provides microgrants of up to $250 to assist transgender and gender-diverse individuals with transitioning costs, administered by Out on the Shelf in honor of Marley Yott.
• Community Events Calendar Searchable and filterable calendar of 2SLGBTQIA+ events in Guelph-Wellington, developed as part of the Transcendence Project and accepting event submissions from community partners.
• Guelph Pride Umbrella organization for Guelph Pride events, hosting Summer Pride in June and Winter Pride in February each year, with corporate sponsorship support and a history dating to 2003.

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• The Grove HubscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration for OUT² youth programming and Queer Mentors program. Co-location at Grove Hubs locations at 737 Woolwich St. and 130 Woodland Glen Dr. Space provided for youth groups.
• Guelph Public LibrarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Queer Parent Hangout program held monthly at the main library branch. Joint programming for 2SLGBTQIA+ families.
• Hive Health ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMonthly trans and gender-diverse drop-in held at Hive Health Services location (77 Westmount Rd). Provides co-located access to gender-affirming care services and social support.
• Guelph Queer LeagueminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity sports league for volleyball and soccer drop-ins during Pride events. Open to 2SLGBTQIA+ community members.
• Queer Night Out GuelphminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal organization hosting BIPOC Queer Night Out events. Co-hosts events during Winter Pride and Summer Pride celebrations.
• Wellington BreweryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal brewery partnered with Guelph Pride in 2018 to create specialty beer 'Sunshine' - raspberry hibiscus blonde ale with edible glitter.
• HIVE Health Services and Out on the ShelfcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint publication of Tucking Booklet and Binding Booklet providing safety guidance for gender-affirming gear.
• Guelph PridecoreOthersGuelph Pride operates as a subsidiary organization under Out on the Shelf. OOTS serves as the umbrella organization for Guelph Pride which has hosted Summer and Winter Pride events since 2003.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Egale Canada: Egale Canada is a national LGBTQ+ human rights organization focused on policy, research, and education. Broader incumbent that operates nationally rather than locally, but operates in overlapping 2SLGBTQIA+ education and advocacy space funded in part by federal grants.
• PFLAG Canada: PFLAG Canada supports LGBTQ+ individuals and their families through peer support, education, and advocacy. Comparable in delivering family and youth support programming and educational workshops across Canada, though operating nationally through chapters.
• The LGBTQ+ Center (NYC - Center): The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center in New York operates a library, youth programs, family services, and cultural programming. Broad incumbent reference point for the community-center-plus-library model that Out on the Shelf applies at a smaller scale.

Direct peers

• Centre for Sexuality (Calgary): Centre for Sexuality offers education, counselling, and community programs on sexual and gender diversity in Calgary. Comparable for its mix of education/workshops, peer support, and 2SLGBTQIA+ programming in a Canadian mid-sized city context.
• Rainbow Resource Centre (Winnipeg): Rainbow Resource Centre serves the 2SLGBTQ+ community in Manitoba with counselling, education, and community programs. Directly comparable as a regional Canadian LGBTQ+ nonprofit delivering peer support, youth programming, and community education.
• Pride Centre of Edmonton: Pride Centre of Edmonton provides a community space, peer support, programming, and resources for Edmonton's 2SLGBTQ+ community. Comparable as a regional Canadian LGBTQ+ community hub with similar library/resource and programming mix.
• QMUNITY (Vancouver): QMUNITY is BC's queer, trans, and Two-Spirit resource center, providing peer support, education, and community programming. Directly comparable to Out on the Shelf as a Canadian LGBTQ+ nonprofit offering peer programs, education, and resource services.
• Canadian Centre for Gender and Sexual Diversity: CCGSD is a national Ottawa-based organization promoting gender and sexual diversity through education, advocacy, and community engagement. Directly comparable as a Canadian 2SLGBTQIA+ education and advocacy nonprofit with federal funding exposure similar to Out on the Shelf's WAGE-funded Transcendence Project.
• The 519 (Toronto): The 519 is a City of Toronto-affiliated LGBTQ+ community center offering programming, drop-in space, and community services. It is the most directly comparable Canadian LGBTQ+ community hub to Out on the Shelf, differing primarily by operating in a much larger urban market.

Regional players

• Toronto Public Library - LGBTQ+ Programming: Toronto Public Library offers LGBTQ+ collections and programs as part of broader public library services. Comparable as a peer in delivering queer library collections and community programs through a library channel, though operating from a public library rather than a standalone nonprofit structure.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ootslibrary
• Facebookfacebook.com/outontheshelf
• Instagraminstagram.com/ootslibrary
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/out-on-the-shelf

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 OUT ON THE SHELF INC.