Montreal, September 22, 2021 – The Foundation of Greater Montréal (FGM) tomorrow launches a new collaborative philanthropic fund to support the well-being of women and girls in the Greater Montreal area: The Women’s Impact Montreal (WIM) Collective Fund. The Fund has already brought together about 50 members and more than $300,000. It will offer grants to charitable organizations that tackle issues of importance to women and girls in several sectors. Namely, the fight against poverty and all forms of violence, as well as education, come to mind.

Several individuals from all walks of life have already signaled their commitment to helping the WIM Fund thrive. You can see a current WIM Fund membership list here. These community leaders will support the WIM Fund’s development through philanthropic support and recruitment. They will also raise awareness of the issues affecting the community, and have their say in the distribution of grants by the Fund. They have all signed on for three years.

Quotes

“The creation of the WIM Fund at FGM will fill a gap in the philanthropic sector; resources specifically dedicated to women are far from being adequate to respond to the needs, which are often desperate. We will work in tandem with community organizations that assist women and girls in Greater Montreal. We wish to create a funding model that is equitable, accessible and lasting, so as to better support their missions,” says Kathy Fazel, Chair of FGM’s Board of Directors.

“WIM Fund members will be able to get together, reflect collectively and participate in this process. I am very proud to contribute to the creation of this collaborative vehicle. It is going to help philanthropy serve Montreal’s women and girls, especially those more vulnerable,” adds Deborah Shannon Trudeau, Chair of the WIM Fund’s advisory committee. This advisory committee’s role will be to ensure the growth and development of the Fund’s reach and impact.

“The WIM Fund will add to FGM’s arsenal of approaches for better responding to the needs of the community. We are always looking to develop innovative and foundational solutions to the issues it faces. FGM is committed to actively listening to the communities it serves. Our aim is to build relationships based on equality, trust and knowledge sharing with them. The WIM Fund is just the latest example of the direction we’re going in,” sums up Karel Mayrand, FGM’s President and CEO.

Launch event

In that spirit, in the wave of activity surrounding the WIM Fund’s launch, FGM will also convene a panel. It will help deepen understanding of the current situation of women and girls in Greater Montreal. At noon tomorrow, Tasha Lackman, the FGM’s Vice President of Philanthropy and Community, will welcome Déborah Cherenfant, president of the Jeune Chambre de commerce de Montréal, Sabrina Lemeltier, Executive Director of the women’s shelter La Dauphinelle, and Maud Briancourt, Assistant Director of the Women’s Centre of Montreal. Organized in collaboration with the Maison de développement durable (MDD), the panel will be held via Zoom and will be livestreamed on the the FGM and MDD Facebook pages.

UPDATE: The panel’s recording is available on the Foundation’s website.

To find out more about the WIM fund, its members and donors to date, and how to join, visit FGM’s website. To immediately become a member or make a donation, click here.

– 30 –

Source: The Foundation of Greater Montreal (FGM)

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 philanthropic funds. It publishes the Vital Signs of Greater Montréal report. FGM also manages the assets of over 700 funds, guides donors and supports community charitable organizations. FGM promotes philanthropy as a major driver for well-being in Greater Montréal. Website: fgmtl.org