Stories that inspire
The Foundation of Greater Montréal supports hundreds of community organizations in every sector. Their work enhances the well-being of the entire community, including that of its most vulnerable individuals. All our gratitude goes out to the men and women who work day in and day out to bring a better quality of life to all.
Our thanks go as well to FGM donors and fund creators, whose philanthropic efforts bring to life the values they embody: solidarity, generosity and community engagement. It is through their commitment that the Foundation and its partner organizations can have a real impact on the well-being of Greater Montréal’s population. Here are some of their stories.
The Fonds Bernadette Gratton in Memoriam
The Fonds Bernadette Gratton in Memoriam aims to honor the memory of the late Bernadette Gratton, a native of the Plateau-Mont-Royal and a long-time supporter of her family's and native neighbourhood's history. The permanent fund has been set up in 2023 in order to sustain the activities of the Société d'histoire et de généalogie du Plateau-Mont-Royal and support the conservation and showcasing of historical artifacts documenting this particular neighbourhood. The Fund's creator, Mr. Patrick Charbonneau, told us that « from a young age, my great-aunt Bernadette supported me in the exploration of our family history. Upon her passing, it made…
Musique Nomade
Musique Nomade is an organization that supports, produces and promotes Indigenous artists. The musical flipside of Wapikoni mobile, it has been working since 2006 to help First Nations, Inuit and Métis individuals flourish through music and have their talents recognized. The Musique Nomade team travels widely, going out to both cities and communities, connecting with Indigenous artists where they live and helping them access recording facilities. It provides free music recording production services in several languages, from English to Inuktitut to French, Atikamekw or Anishinaabemowin, and in styles ranging from hip-hop to rock and traditional music. The organization also offers…
Native Montreal
Created in 2014, Native Montréal aims to “support the holistic health, cultural strength and success of Indigenous families, individuals and our community living in the Greater Montreal area”. The organization primarily serves youth and families, to whom it provides a variety of programs focusing on well-being, education, culture, Indigenous crafts, sports and connection to the land. The highly successful “Iorahkote” program welcomes five-to-twelve-year-olds every year; they attend a cultural and educational day camp in an urban setting. All summer long, and occasionally in the spring, they explore Montreal through fun outings, and take part in Indigenous cultural activities, as well…
The Kahnawà:ke Cultural Arts Center
Kanien’kéha is one of the 2,600 languages around the world that are in danger of disappearing, according to the UN. Over the last 400 years or so, the necessity for the Kahnawà:ke community of adapting to its surrounding realities often relegated its language and culture to the backburner. By the middle of the 1970s, it was evident that the community was in danger of losing its language completely. In response, the Kanien’kehá:ka Onkwawén:na Raotitióhkwa Language and Cultural Center (KORLCC) was created in 1978, and continues to be at the center of what has become a resurgence of the Kanien’kehá:ka identity.…
First Peoples Justice Center of Montreal and Iakwatonhontsanónsta’ts
In order to help tackle the problems faced by Indigenous peoples living in Greater Montreal, FGM has undertaken to allocate $130,000 to five organizations via its Fund to Support Indigenous Initiatives. These contributions are part of a reconciliation and learning process undertaken by FGM over the past few years. By utilizing a trust-based approach to philanthropy, which entails a dialogue with actors on the ground and continuous and active listening, the Foundation has been able to identify a number of organizations that it could support. FGM provides financial backing that corresponds to the needs expressed, and in acknowledgement of the…
The Girls Write The Future Fund
Girls Write the Future was founded in 2014 to advance gender equality in education. To date, the organization has secured the education of many women and girls in Kenya, Zambia and Turkey. All of its projects are guided by the belief that the education of women and girls is the most impactful and effective investment possible. This is true in both human and economic development. Countries where women are educated are safer, healthier and wealthier than those where women are denied or otherwise unable to complete an education. There is a significant gap between the enrollment of Indigenous and non-Indigenous…