Montreal, June 7, 2021 – As part of Round 1 of the Canadian Healthy Communities Initiative (CHCI), funded by Infrastructure Canada to support communities as they create and adapt public spaces to respond to the new realities brought on by COVID-19, the Foundation of Greater Montréal (FGM) is pleased to announce the projects that have been awarded funding in the metropolitan area. Nineteen initiatives based in Greater Montreal will receive grants, with total support amounting to more than $719,000. The complete list of supported projects is available on FGM’s website.

“The diversity in the proposals selected is evidence of the wide range of needs on the ground. It also indicates the extraordinary creativity of the actors who work to make life better in our neighbourhoods,” noted Karel Mayrand, FGM’s President and CEO. “COVID-19’s repercussions are going to continue to be felt for a while. More than ever, we are going to need public spaces that are accessible, inclusive, comfortable and safe – be they physical or virtual. The CHCI allows our community to innovate and create the public spaces of tomorrow, in neighbourhoods that need them today,” he added.

The Canadian Healthy Communities Initiative represents an investment of $31M by the Government of Canada. The funding is being allocated, in collaboration with Community Foundations of Canada, the Canadian Urban Institute, and several community foundations across the country. Recipient organizations are developing solutions that will promote equitable and safe access to public spaces. The respect of public health measures necessitated by the pandemic and the needs of the most vulnerable populations are being payed particular attention.

The overall envelope destined for the metropolitan area (Montreal, Laval and the Montérégie) amounts to $1.8M. Grants of between $5,000 and $250,000 are available for each project. The results of Round 2, currently underway, will be disclosed between now and the fall. “We encourage Montrealers, and residents in all the cities where a project has been approved, to go and make use of these spaces. Now is the time to re-establish the ties that bind our communities together, in a safe and secure fashion,” summed up Mr. Mayrand.

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Source: Foundation of Greater Montréal

For more information: Simon Delorme, Project Manager for Communications
(514) 866-0808 ext. 107 – simon.delorme@fgmtl.org

About FGM
The Foundation of Greater Montréal (FGM) helps individuals, families and organizations to get involved and support their community by creating funds for selected causes in all sectors. In addition to publishing the Vital Signs of Greater Montréal report, FGM manages the assets of over 700 funds, guides donors and supports community charitable organizations. A member of the Community Foundations of Canada, a network of 191 community foundations, FGM promotes philanthropy as a major driver for well-being in Greater Montréal. Website: fgmtl.org