A word from FGM – August 2024

In a post in this space two years ago, we addressed the issue of philanthropy in racialized communities. In particular, we highlighted the fact that – despite its transformative potential – such philanthropy was neither properly recognized nor sufficiently mobilized. To coincide with Black Philanthropy Month in August, the Foundation of Greater Montréal is announcing a project that aims to probe this issue more deeply. Thus, as part of its 25th anniversary next year, and in pursuit of its goal of taking tangible action to better reflect the community it serves, FGM will publish a new edition of Vital Signs of Greater Montreal, focusing specifically on philanthropy in Black communities. Why? First and foremost, to acknowledge and underline the philanthropic contributions of communities that are too often ignored.

As well as providing a situational analysis of philanthropy within the Black communities of Quebec, the report will aim to make more visible the multiple philanthropic realities specific to them. It will achieve so through the compilation of both quantitative and qualitative data. To produce the best possible report, FGM has partnered with the Observatory of the Black Communities in Quebec. The Observatory is a specialized research group affiliated with the Socio-Economic Summit for Black Youth Development. It produces and disseminates information about the realities of Quebec’s Black communities. The experience of young people, from a socio-economic development perspective, is at the heart of its focus.

Putting the spotlight on the contributions of Black communities

The Observatory will draw on the contributions of members of a working group. By virtue of their varied experiences and skills, those people will help create a report that is as rigorous as it is diverse in its perspectives. It will also call upon the communities themselves to participate. The idea here is to generate added input for its reflection process and that of the working group.

Taking as a starting point the fact that Black community members’ philanthropic contributions have so far been invisible, this Vital Signs will update certain concepts and deconstruct certain prejudices, notably the idea that these communities’ only relationship to philanthropy is as beneficiaries of it.

The study’s conclusions will certainly be useful, in particular for organizations seeking funding. But possibly even more so for Black leaders, and their communities at large. They will be able to learn more about, and highlight, their individual and collective philanthropic contributions. We hope this new report will also promote the recognition and inclusion of these communities in the public discourse on philanthropy. In parallel, we also want to encourage collaboration and knowledge sharing between them and the philanthropic sector.

We thank the Observatory for having agreed to team up with us on this project, and we are eager to share its findings with you! In the meantime, keep reading to learn more about some impressive philanthropic initiatives.

Linda Tchombé
Directrice du développement philanthropique
Fondation du Grand Montréal