Why create this Collective Fund?

FGM’s COVID-19 Collective Fund is distinct because it provides assistance to all sectors of the Greater Montréal community: healthcare, education, culture, the environment and social development. For this last sector, FGM has entered into a partnership with Centraide of Greater Montréal, which has created its own COVID-19 Emergency Fund. The two organizations will work closely together so that the two funds are complementary, and optimally use resources.

The COVID-19 Community Fund aims to meet the immediate or priority needs of Greater Montréal organizations, and to stimulate and support the strategic collective work required for the recovery and rebuilding of the community in the aftermath of the immediate crisis. Finally, this fund is the product of a collaborative and inclusive approach among all of its partners. This approach was applied to the financing of the Fund; choosing the focus areas (see Question 7) and the use of its partners’ expertise.

What organizations can benefit from aid from the Fund, and based on what criteria?

COVID-19 Collective Fund grants are available to all registered non-profit organizations serving the Greater Montréal community, and active in the sectors mentioned above. In some cases, donors may determine the sector to which their contribution to the fund is directed.

Note that the Fund has two components, one for responding to immediate and priority needs, and another for supporting strategic initiatives for the rebuilding and recovery phase, the creation of new, more resilient methods, the pooling of resources and services, etc. Here are the eligibility criteria for those two components:

Immediate or priority needs
  • The organization is registered under the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA);
  • It serves the population of the Greater Montréal area, particularly the most vulnerable populations;
  • It is currently operating and offering a service that responds to an immediate or priority need;
  • It intends to immediately use the grant in response to that need;
  • It requests $15,000 or less.
Strategic projects
  • The organization is registered under the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA);
  • It serves the population of the Greater Montréal area, particularly the most vulnerable populations;
  • The project stimulates strategic work and reflection, and;
    – plans the recovery and reconstruction phase;
    – demonstrates innovation and creativity;
    – is supported by studies and data;
    – demonstrates an openness to be done in collaboration with other organizations.
  • The maximum grant is $40,000 per project. A project requiring greater funding must demonstrate its viability and other possible sources of funding.

Are there any organizations that are not eligible to receive assistance?

Yes. Organizations that are not registered with the Canada Revenue Agency, or do not serve the Greater Montréal population, are uneligible. Projects that are political or religious in nature will not be accepted.

For more details, please contact Marie-Andrée Farmer, Project Manager – Major Community Projects, at marie-andree.farmer@fgmtl.org or (514) 866-0808, extension 114.

When will recipient organizations get their funds? What is the timeline for processing requests?

The members of the steering committee and FGM staff have created a simple and efficient request processing system to rapidly transfer grants to the organizations selected. We aim to review each funding request received within a maximum of 10 business days.

What amounts are being granted? Will these be one-time payments or regular payments over a longer term?

In the immediate and priority needs category, the maximum funding available is $15,000. For strategic initiatives, grants will be up to $40,000 per project. These are one-time payments.

What is the procedure for making a request?

Organizations wishing to submit a request in either of the categories can complete the appropriate application form on FGM’s website. For any questions regarding the COVID-19 Collective Fund, please contact Marie-Andrée Farmer, Project Manager – Major Community Projects, at marie-andree.farmer@fgmtl.org or (514) 866-0808, extension 114.

Who is managing the Fund, who is making the decisions regarding its operations?

FGM is assuming the leadership and the operational management of the Fund. That being said, most of the Fund’s major financial partners (the Jewish Community Foundation of Montréal, the Azrieli Foundation, the Fondation J.-Armand Bombardier, the McConnell Foundation, the Rossy Foundation, the Fondation Paul-A. Fournier Fund and the Fondation Jean E. et Lucille Douville Fund within the FGM, and FGM itself) have formed a steering committee. Centraide of Greater Montréal and the Canadian Red Cross, as well as other experts are also members of the committee. This body will determine how the funds will be directed. Some of its members will also contribute to identifying needs and evaluating projects.

Are designated donations possible?

Yes. Any foundation or individual donor can support the Fund and become one of its partners. Donations to the COVID-19 Collective Fund may be unrestricted, or may be designated to one of the sectors mentioned above, namely: education, healthcare, culture, the environment or social development. You can make a donation simply by filling out this online form and a tax receipt will be automatically issued. You can also make a contribution to the Fund through a bank transfer or a transfer of shares.

I am already an FGM fundholder, can I contribute to the Fund?

Any current FGM fundholder who would like to use their fund to contribute to the COVID-19 Collective Fund can write to philanthropie@fgmtl.org to discuss the options available to them.