The Indigenous Initiatives Support Fund

A word from FGM – June 2025

In 2021, the Foundation of Greater Montréal (FGM) launched, drawing inspiration from the principles set out by the Circle on Philanthropy, the Indigenous Initiatives Support Fund (IISF). The Fund is dedicated to supporting organizations and projects addressing the needs of Indigenous communities living in the area now known as Greater Montreal, including urban communities and the communities of Kahnawà:ke and Kanehsatà:ke. The Fund provides unrestricted grants, typically amounting to $20,000 per recipient. These grants can be used for specific projects, or to support the organization’s core activities, depending on the needs they identified. 

The establishment of the IISF is directly connected to the implementation of the Foundation’s Roadmap towards Reconciliation. It reflects our recognition of the unique challenges faced by Indigenous communities and their inherent strength to address them. FGM views the Fund as a means to foster reciprocal relationships and to acknowledge the intricate and interdependent relationships that exist between individuals, communities, and territories. 

Concrete action to support communities

Since 2021, FGM’s Indigenous Initiatives Support Fund has provided nearly $500,000 in grants to almost 30 recipients working on a variety of issues including access to justice; teaching and preserving Indigenous languages, cultures, and knowledge; youth engagement; access to culturally appropriate health care; land and environmental protection; the prevention of violence against women; and capacity-building for community members who live in a situation of homelessness. 

The evolution of the Fund is the result of proactive efforts by FGM’s community engagement team. Since its inception, they reached out directly to local Indigenous organizations to better understand their work and provide them with tailored support. Over time, these relationships have deepened and led to new collaborations, expanding the circle of organizations interested in partnering with the Foundation. It’s important to note that many of these organizations do not have a charitable status, which can be challenging to obtain for organizations led by or serving Indigenous communities. For us, this Fund constitutes another way to align philanthropy with the actual needs and priorities of the people and the communities we serve. 

Continue reading to learn more about some of those organizations. 

Karel Mayrand
President and CEO
Foundation of Greater Montréal