What The Kickback Foundation does

The Kickback Foundation is a Toronto-based nonprofit organization that runs youth programs integrating three pillars: sport, art, and education. Founded circa 2016 and operating with 1-10 employees, it delivers three core programs: Kickback Run Club (a weekly spring-to-fall run club promoting physical activity and mentorship), Open Source (short-form education modules blending classroom learning with immersive field experiences aimed at workforce readiness), and Reframe (a film-based program of curated screenings and industry-expert access designed to support self-discovery). The organization began as a sneaker drive and has evolved into a comprehensive youth-empowerment platform claiming to have impacted over 20,000 youth across 50+ communities globally, redistributed 10,000+ pairs of shoes, and graduated 200+ participants since 2024.

The foundation operates with no proprietary technology and delivers its programs entirely through in-person, community-based channels—run clubs, workshops, and film screenings—across local and global geographies. Its go-to-market is community-led, relying on grassroots engagement and a digital presence on Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, and Pinterest to reach youth culture. The business model is donation- and partnership-funded: the organization does not charge for its programs and instead relies on charitable contributions and corporate support.

Its funding base is anchored by a dense partnership ecosystem that includes athletic and outdoor brands (Asics, Arc'teryx, Lululemon, Salomon, JD Sports), fashion (Aritzia), financial services (TD Bank), platform/media (Pinterest), a philanthropic fund (All One Fund), and municipal government (City of Toronto). Operations are headquartered in Toronto, Canada, with a stated global footprint. No management team, board composition, funding rounds, or financial figures are disclosed in available sources.

Name

The Kickback Foundation

Legal name

The Kickback Foundation

Website

https://kickback.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Kickback Foundation is a Toronto-based nonprofit that runs youth programs combining sport, art, and education. Operating since circa 2016 with 1-10 staff, it delivers three programs—Run Club, Open Source, and Reframe—serving 20,000+ youth globally, funded through donations and corporate partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Development Services

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Foundations (BPAGAKAB)

Keywords

• Youth development programs
• Community nonprofit services
• Running training programs
• Youth arts education
• Community wellness programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Toronto

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: The Kickback Foundation operates as a nonprofit organization funded through donations and charitable contributions from partners, supporters, and the public. Revenue is used to fund youth programs in sport, art, and education.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Kickback Foundation is a Toronto-based registered charity that delivers free youth-development programming combining sport, art, and education. It operates three flagship programs — Kickback Run Club, Open Source, and Reframe — for youth who face barriers to access, funded primarily through donations, sponsorships, and grants.

Product overview

The Kickback Foundation operates as a nonprofit organization offering three youth empowerment programs: Kickback Run Club (a weekly physical activity and mentorship program), Open Source (short-form educational modules for workforce readiness), and Reframe (a film-based self-discovery program). These programs are unified by three pillars—sports, art, and education—and collectively aim to create pathways for youth to develop skills, networks, and opportunities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Kickback Run Club

Quantifiable outcome

• 20,000+ youth impacted globally
• +3 more outcomes

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• AsicscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAthletic footwear and apparel brand partnering with Kickback to support youth through sport and fitness programs, including the Run Club initiative.
• Arc'teryxcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerTechnical outdoor apparel brand supporting Kickback's mission to empower youth through sport and outdoor activities.
• AritziaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFashion brand providing support for youth programs and community initiatives.
• All One FundcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPhilanthropic fund supporting community-driven initiatives and social impact programs.
• City of TorontocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal government partnership supporting local youth programming and community initiatives in Toronto.
• JD SportsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAthletic footwear and apparel retailer supporting youth access to sports and fitness resources.
• LululemoncoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAthletic apparel brand supporting community wellness and youth fitness programs through philanthropy and brand partnerships.
• PinterestminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSocial media platform partner supporting digital presence and youth engagement.
• SalomonminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOutdoor sports brand supporting youth through sport and outdoor activity programs.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Regional players

• The 519: Toronto-based community nonprofit serving youth and underserved communities. Comparable Toronto operational footprint and emphasis on belonging and identity for youth typically excluded from mainstream institutions.
• Frontier College: Canadian nonprofit focused on literacy and education for youth and communities, with strong Canadian operational footprint. Comparable to Kickback's educational pillar and Toronto-based community focus.

Direct peers

• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada: Canadian youth mentorship organization with comparable emphasis on mentorship and belonging. Comparable target demographic (youth 13-25) and similar reliance on community-based delivery.
• Right to Play: Global nonprofit that uses sport and play as tools for youth education and development across dozens of countries. Highly comparable to Kickback's use of sport as a youth development lever and its global community footprint.
• Pathways to Education: Canadian nonprofit providing educational and workforce-readiness support to youth facing systemic barriers. Closely comparable to Kickback's Open Source program and broader focus on youth transitioning into the workforce.
• KidSport Canada: Canadian nonprofit that removes financial barriers to youth sport participation. Directly comparable to Kickback's Run Club and the redistributed footwear model in addressing access to sport for underserved youth.

Others

• Lululemon 'Here to Be': Corporate social impact program of an active Kickback partner. Relevant comparison because it represents how a key brand partner channels philanthropic spend into youth wellness, illustrating the kind of institutional funding vehicle Kickback could grow into.

Broad incumbents

• Boys & Girls Clubs of Canada: Established national youth development organization offering multi-pillar programming (sport, education, arts). Comparable mission and broader programmatic footprint than Kickback, with deeper institutional infrastructure.
• YMCA Canada: Large, established Canadian nonprofit offering youth programming across sport, education, and community. Comparable integrated model and youth development focus, with significantly greater scale and infrastructure.

Emerging players

• Active City Network: Network promoting active lifestyles in urban communities, including youth-focused initiatives. Comparable to Kickback's Run Club and city-based physical activity programming for youth.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kickbackfoundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/kickbackfoundation
• TikToktiktok.com/@kickbackfoundation
• Pinterestca.pinterest.com/kickbackfoundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about The Kickback Foundation