Why WINS?
In 2025, we helped 28,000+ individuals in Calgary and we are just getting started.
We support potential and progress by giving people resources to thrive. A thriving individual means they have the opportunity to gain skills, build their confidence, and access to support. Our programs, services, and social enterprises allow us to help make their dreams come true.
34 Years of WINS in Calgary
Founded in 1992, the Women in Need Society (WINS) stands as a cherished thrift charity deeply rooted in the city of Calgary. Our humble origins have blossomed into a network of seven thrift store locations spread across the city, along with our expanded Donation Centre. In 2020, we proudly launched the first bulk thrifting in Calgary called the More Store. These endeavors have allowed us to generate vital revenue to support our community programs, including House to Home, Retail Ready, Warehouse Ready, and our five Community Resource Hubs. Today, individuals from all walks of life are drawn to our social enterprises, as they recognize that their purchases and contributions have a direct, immediate impact on the lives of those in need right here in our Calgary community.
our mission
Connecting women and their families with resources to thrive
our vision
All women thriving and building resilient families
our values
INTEGRITY
Our actions match our words. We do what we say, and we say what we mean.
DIVERSITY
Diversity makes us stronger. We welcome and respect different people, perspectives, and experiences.
SUSTAINABILITY
We are kind to people and the planet. Our actions today will impact our world tomorrow.
COLLABORATION
We are better together. Working as a team, we strive for excellence in all we do.
INNOVATION
We imagine the possibilities. We continuously strive towards creating a greater impact.
WINS is a Charity Social Enterprise
WINS is a charity social enterprise, meaning that our organization merges the principles of charity with the practices of business. At our core, as a charity social enterprise, we operate to address gender inequality and poverty alleviation for women and their families while promoting sustainability through our thrift stores. As a charity social enterprise, we generate revenue through our thrift store sales that fund our programs in addition to donations and grants.
Every donation made to WINS, whether it's a donation of funds, new or gently used items, or volunteer time, is directly reinvested back into community supports for women and their families. Our donors can feel good knowing their used item donations, funds or volunteer hours are making a direct positive impact in the lives of women and families in need in our community.
What’s more, funds donations to WINS go further because for every dollar donated, 88 cents of that goes directly into our community programs, which means that more women are receiving the help they need to overcome the challenges presented by poverty and gender inequality. Through tailored programs and services that meet women where they are, they are given the essential resources they need to overcome challenges and become empowered to thrive.
When a woman facing hardship wins, we all win.
Our Environmental Impact
At WINS, we are deeply committed to our environmental impact and the sustainability of our operations. Through our dedication to repurposing, recycling, and upcycling, we strive to minimize waste and maximize the positive effects in our City of Calgary and on our planet.
We are kind to the people and the planet. Our actions today will impact our world tomorrow.
We believe that the success of our organization is not just measured by the services we provide, but also by the impact we have on our planet. Decreasing our collective footprint on the environment is a vital part of our work. This is why we strive to partner with organizations and ethical groups that share our goal of promoting a circular economy in every initiative that we do.
In 2025, we diverted 8.1 million pounds of items from Calgary landfills and this is all thanks to you!
3,954,519 pounds
HOUSEWARES
1,042,475 pounds
FURNITURE
124,740 pounds
CARDBOARD
2,361,756 pounds
SOFT GOODS
677,069 pounds
ELECTRONICS & METALS
31,474 pounds
SHOES & ACCESSORIES
WINS aligns with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by the United Nations, but the six we strive to impact in Calgary are:
The United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) consist of 17 interconnected goals to promote equality, reduce poverty, and protect the environment. At WINS, we are committed to advancing sustainable development by recognizing our role in making a positive impact on society and the environment. We aim to minimize our environmental footprint and align our work with the SDGs while continuing to address the needs of our community.