FGM and the Sustainable Development Goals
Since 2017, FGM’s framework for action has been the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. These 17 global goals guide FGM’s interventions and allow it to gauge the Montreal community’s social, economic and environmental progress, while making it part of a worldwide movement.
In order to maximize its impact and act effectively in the context of the dynamic and complex relationships that exist among the Sustainable Development Goals, FGM prioritizes six broad areas of intervention. Among them, they cover all the elements in the SDGs. FGM continues to support culture, education and health, causes which have always been close to the hearts of donors in Greater Montreal; it also supports social equity, ecological transition as well as diversity and inclusion, backing initiatives that will impact more than one of these three areas. FGM therefore prioritizes a systemic approach to community issues.
Culture
FGM has a long-standing and deep connection with the cultural sector. Acting as a philanthropic partner for dozens of cultural organizations, it continues to collaborate in several matching programs, supporting and guiding these organizations in their philanthropic development initiatives.
Health
More than ever, health is a crucial community issue. FGM continues to support health sector institutions in Greater Montreal, as well as initiatives that aim to have an impact on health determinants or improve health indicators in the region, notably among vulnerable or disadvantaged populations. SDG: 3.
Education
Education is a key lever for increasing social inclusion and combating socioeconomic inequalities, as well as being vital to active citizenship. FGM continues to support learning institutions, foster academic success and be involved in the fight to keep kids in school. It notably targets the most challenged populations and areas in Greater Montreal. SDG: 4.
Ecological Transition
FGM seeks to hasten the socioeconomic changes that will allow our society to respond to the climate crisis, preserve biological diversity and maintain the natural systems that sustain life on Earth. It seeks to reduce environmental inequalities and backs initiatives that create healthy living environments that are low carbon and resilient for all. SDGs: 6, 7, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15.
Diversity and Inclusion
FGM aims to use an intersectional strategy to combat all forms of discrimination. Working with an approach that involves listening and collaboration, it gives funding priority to initiatives that seek to empower populations affected by discrimination. Specific initiatives are deployed to assist Indigenous populations living on the territory of Greater Montreal. SDGs: 5, 10 and transversal approach.
Social Equity
FGM intervenes to address a number of factors that contribute to perpetuating the cycle of social inequality. It supports the fight against poverty and works on its determinants and its impacts, be it with regards to food security, education, health, housing or employment. It also invests in new models of social and economic development in communities. SDGs: 1, 2, 8, 10, 16.
Our commitment to impact: Mobilize, Catalyze, Publicize
We have a vision of a community that is free of poverty and discrimination, where all can realize their potential and live in a healthy environment, today and in the future. We strongly believe that we have the tools at our disposal to make this vision a reality, if we can innovate for the mobilization and better distribution of the financial resources that already exist in Greater Montreal, and place them at the service of intelligence, creativity and solutions that can meet our community’s needs.
Our commitment to the climate and the ecological transition
As part of the Great Expectations campaign powered by the Montreal Climate Partnership, a coalition supported by FGM, every organization in the Greater Montreal area is invited to commit to some actions to support the ecological transition, the fight against climate change and the development of the region’s environmental resilience. The Foundation itself has submitted itself to the exercise.