elizabeth fry society of calgary

What elizabeth fry society of calgary does

The Elizabeth Fry Society of Calgary, founded in 1975 and headquartered at 1731 – 10 Avenue SW in Calgary, Alberta, is a non-profit charitable organization delivering justice-focused supports, advocacy, and cultural programming to criminalized and marginalized women, youth, and Indigenous individuals across Southern Alberta. Its core program portfolio comprises the SAGE Emotional Wellness and Employment Readiness program (a 12-week cohort program), Indigenous Cultural Supports (Elders, ceremonies, and language classes), the Soksipaitapiisin Indigenous Justice Program, the Prison Community Outreach Program operating at Calgary Remand Centre and Lethbridge Correctional Centre, Youth and Gang Mentorship, Court Volunteer Programs across six court types including the Calgary Indigenous Court, Transitional Housing Support, and the Immigrant Legal Advocacy Program. Services are delivered free of charge to clients through court-based, office-based, and community-based channels.

Technology is human-centered rather than platform-based: there is no proprietary software, no AI/ML capability, and no mobile app; delivery relies on trained staff and a volunteer network that has operated for 55+ years, with administrative systems tied to standard non-profit donation infrastructure (CanadaHelps.org, Donate a Car Canada).

EFry is a member society of the Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies (CAEFS), a national network of 24 self-governing societies, and is funded through a blend of government grants (Alberta Justice and Solicitor General, Family and Community Support Services), foundation grants (United Way of Calgary, Calgary Homeless Foundation), corporate sponsorship (e.g., TELUS Calgary Community Board), individual donations, in-kind contributions, vehicle donations, and special-event fundraising (Christmas auctions, wine and paint nights, galas). The organization does not disclose financial figures publicly and operates without traditional revenue pricing; its "pricing model" is the absence of fees to clients, with revenue derived entirely from third-party funders, donors, and events.

Name

elizabeth fry society of calgary

Legal name

The Elizabeth Fry Society of Calgary

Website

https://elizabethfrycalgary.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1975

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Elizabeth Fry Society of Calgary is a non-profit founded in 1975 that delivers court support, cultural programs, advocacy, and restorative justice services free of charge to criminalized and marginalized women, youth, and Indigenous individuals across Calgary and Southern Alberta. It operates as a member of the national CAEFS network of 24 societies and is funded by government grants, foundations, corporate sponsors, and individual donors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Justice and Social Services

NAICS

Social Advocacy Organizations (8133), Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Human Rights Organizations (813311)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Legal Services (8111)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGAEAN

Reentry & Justice-Involved Support Services

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Social Services & Community Support (Food, Housing, Family)

SECONDARYBPAGAEAM

Legal Aid & Client Advocacy Services

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Social Services & Community Support (Food, Housing, Family)

SECONDARYBPAGAEAD

Domestic Violence & Abuse Support Services

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Social Services & Community Support (Food, Housing, Family)

SECONDARYBPADAGAH

Minority, Indigenous & Disability Rights

Business & Public Services/International Organizations & Development/Human Rights, Democracy & Governance

SECONDARYBPAGAFAB

Human Rights & Anti-Discrimination Organizations

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Civil Rights, Advocacy & Public Policy Organizations

Keywords

• Restorative justice services
• Criminalized women support
• Indigenous cultural programs
• Court volunteer programs
• Community social services

Headquarters

HQ city

Calgary

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Government Grants and Funding: Government funding from Alberta Justice, Family and Community Support Services, and other provincial programs that support core operations but do not fully fund critical services.
2. Individual Donations: Monthly or annual donations from individual supporters; charitable tax receipts provided for donations of $20 or more.
3. Corporate Sponsorship: Naming rights over programs through corporate community investment programs; customized sponsorship packages co-developed with corporations.
4. In-Kind Donations: Seasonal collection of hygiene products, clothing, and other basic necessities donated by individuals and corporations.
5. Vehicle Donations: Partnership with Donate a Car Canada to accept vehicle donations; vehicles are recycled or sold at auction with free towing provided.
6. Event Fundraising: Special events including Christmas auctions, wine and paint nights, trivia events, and galas with community fundraising initiatives.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Elizabeth Fry Society of Calgary is a non-profit charitable organization that delivers free, justice-focused programs and supports for criminalized women, youth, and Indigenous peoples in Calgary and surrounding areas of Southern Alberta. Core offerings include court navigation and volunteer support across multiple court types, the SAGE 12-week emotional wellness and employment readiness program, Indigenous cultural supports with Elders and ceremonies, transitional housing assistance, youth and gang mentorship, prison community outreach, and legal advocacy including immigrant family reunification. All services are provided at no cost to clients and are funded through government grants, donations, corporate sponsorship, and in-kind contributions.

Product overview

The Elizabeth Fry Society of Calgary is a non-profit social services organization offering a comprehensive portfolio of programs and services for criminalized women, youth, and Indigenous peoples. The organization's core programs include the SAGE Emotional Wellness and Employment Readiness (12-week program), Prison Community Outreach Program (PCOP), Indigenous Cultural Supports (with Elders, ceremonies, and language classes), Soksipaitapiisin Indigenous Justice Program, Youth and Gang Mentorship Programs, Court Volunteer Programs across multiple court types, Legal Advocacy Programs, Immigrant Legal Advocacy Program, Transitional Housing Support, and general Volunteer Programs. These programs work together through a restorative justice lens to support individual pathways to healing by restoring harmony, repairing harm, and regaining relationships, while addressing systemic criminalization through cultural supports, housing assistance, employment readiness, and legal advocacy.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Indigenous Cultural Supports Cultural support program providing access to Elders and Knowledge Holders, ceremonies, cultural activities, and Indigenous language classes to help clients reconnect with their culture and regain a sense of belonging, identity, and community. For Indigenous clients served by EFry's programs.
• SAGE (Emotional Wellness and Employment Readiness) 12-week program built on Indigenous cultural values that assists women on their journey to personal success through interactive learning, functional life skills, emotional wellness strategies including writing, art, and photography, and employment readiness skills. For criminalized and marginalized women seeking recovery, healing, and workforce re-entry; cohorts of approximately 15 women per cycle.
• Soksipaitapiisin Indigenous Justice Program Indigenous Justice Program and Community Case Management Table that assists Indigenous peoples involved in the justice system, developed in collaboration with Family and Community Support Services. For Indigenous individuals navigating the justice system.
• Transitional Housing Support Housing support program that helps women find stable housing to prevent homelessness and the revolving door of institutionalization, including damage deposits and short-term rental subsidies. For criminalized women facing housing instability.
• Youth and Gang Mentorship Programs Mentorship program that pairs marginalized and underprivileged youth with volunteers to provide positive role models, emotional support, court assistance, and guidance to help youth avoid further involvement with the justice system. For at-risk and criminalized youth.
• Court Volunteer Programs Programs supporting youth and adults in various court settings including Adult Criminal Court (Case Management Office), Youth Criminal Court, Domestic Violence Court, Calgary Indigenous Court, Traffic and Bylaw Court, and Courthouse Lobby assistance. For individuals navigating court proceedings who need advocacy and information.
• Prison Community Outreach Program (PCOP) Program providing support to women during and after incarceration to work towards personal change and break the cycle of recidivism, addressing core issues including poverty, trauma, housing, addiction, and mental health. For incarcerated and recently released women.
• Legal Advocacy Programs Programs assisting individuals with legal matters including court navigation, understanding legal forms, filing processes, and referrals to legal resources, with expanded services to Siksika, Eden Valley, and rural communities. For individuals involved in legal matters who need advocacy and information.
• Immigrant Legal Advocacy Program Program helping immigrant families with legal advocacy, permanent residency applications, and navigating immigration processes to reunite families in Canada. For immigrant and newcomer women facing legal barriers related to immigration status.
• Volunteer Programs Comprehensive volunteer opportunities including Communications Volunteer, Program Resource Volunteer, and specialized court volunteer roles supporting the organization's mission. For community members who want to contribute time and skills to support criminalized women, youth, and Indigenous peoples.

Quantifiable outcome

• Expanded to 8+ communities
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, secondary and minor.

• Alberta Justice and Solicitor GeneralcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on development and support of Calgary Indigenous Court; coordination of Community Case Management Table; ongoing partnership with Calgary Court House for court programs.
• Pathways Community Services AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to enhance cultural connections for urban Indigenous peoples; collaboration on Honouring Our Voices Healing Gathering; co-development of Indigenous programming including language camps.
• University of CalgarysecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnerships for student practicums and research collaboration; students from criminology, law, and social work programs gain hands-on experience.
• University of VictoriasecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnerships for student education and research; students engage in practicum experiences at EFry.
• Bow Valley CollegesecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerSAGE program participants visit Bow Valley College for educational opportunities; partnership supports participant pathways to further education and employment.
• Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies (CAEFS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational association of 24 self-governing Elizabeth Fry Societies working with and for criminalized women and youth across Canada.
• Donate a Car CanadaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThird-party partnership to accept vehicle donations on behalf of EFry; handles vehicle pickup, auction/recycling, and tax receipt issuance.
• Calgary Alpha HousesecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint events including 'Walk a Mile in Our Moccasins' in celebration of Aboriginal Awareness Week.
• YW CalgarysecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Honouring Our Voices Healing Gathering; SAGE participants visit YW Employment Resource Centre.
• Sheldon KennedyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity leader and author visited EFry to present a generous financial gift and learn about programs; advocate for youth resiliency.
• MiskanawahcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on Indigenous programming; collaboration on Honouring Our Voices Gathering; language and cultural camps.
• Boys and Girls Club of CalgarysecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Honouring Our Voices Healing Gathering for families of murdered and missing loved ones.
• Sunrise Healing LodgesecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Honouring Our Voices Healing Gathering.
• White Buffalo Parent Link Centre with Siksika Family ServicessecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Honouring Our Voices Healing Gathering.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• United Way of Calgary and Area: Major community funder and Natoos'i Community of Practice partner of EFry. Operating comparator rather than service peer, but a key strategic counterpart in funder-perspective scale benchmarking.
• Calgary Homeless Foundation: System-planning and funding body for homelessness initiatives in Calgary, listed as a confirmed funder of EFry's housing and healing programming. Adjacent rather than direct service peer, but a useful funding-ecosystem comparator.
• Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies (CAEFS): National coordinating body of the 24 self-governing Elizabeth Fry Societies. EFry Calgary is a member society; CAEFS functions as a sector convener and policy advocate rather than a direct service provider but is a key institutional peer.

Direct peers

• Calgary Alpha House Society: Calgary nonprofit providing addiction, housing, and stabilization services to vulnerable populations including those exiting the justice system. Strong overlap with EFry's reentry and PCOP programs and confirmed event partner (Walk a Mile in Our Moccasins).
• Elizabeth Fry Society of Toronto: Sister society within the Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies delivering a similar mix of court support, housing, and culturally responsive programs for criminalized women and youth. Closest direct functional peer given shared brand, governance model, and program design.
• Boys and Girls Club of Calgary: Calgary-based youth services nonprofit delivering mentorship and community programs for at-risk youth; confirmed partner in the Honouring Our Voices Healing Gathering and direct peer for EFry's Youth and Gang Mentorship program.
• Inn From the Cold Society: Calgary nonprofit addressing family homelessness through emergency shelter, housing, and prevention programs. Comparable operating geography and overlap with EFry's Transitional Housing Support service line.
• YW Calgary: Calgary-based women's services nonprofit offering housing, employment, and crisis supports; collaborates with EFry on the Honouring Our Voices Healing Gathering and SAGE participant pathways. Direct peer in target population and geography.
• John Howard Society of Alberta: Provincial affiliate of a national criminal justice-focused nonprofit providing advocacy, programs, and reintegration supports to justice-involved individuals. Directly comparable mission and client base to EFry's PCOP and court support work, though not women-specific.
• Native Women's Healing & Transition Housing programs (e.g., Awo Taan Healing Lodge Society, Calgary): Calgary-based Indigenous women-focused shelter and healing organization. Highly comparable client base (Indigenous women fleeing violence and involved with justice) and overlaps with EFry's Indigenous Cultural Supports and transitional housing offerings.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/efrycalgary
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/elizabeth-fry-society-of-calgary

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 elizabeth fry society of calgary