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 La lecture en cadeau et alphabétisation
Since 1999, The Gift of Reading (La lecture en cadeau) program imparts the fun and desire of reading to children aged 0 to 12 who come from disadvantaged backgrounds across Quebec. This initiative helps to build a special attachment with books and to prevent reading and writing difficulties that might lead to dropping out of school or even to illiteracy. Every year, thanks to The Gift of Reading, thousands of children are given new, age-appropriate books. For a kid coming from a disadvantaged background, this book is often the first brand-new one they ever received. And they appreciate it even…
The St. Michael's Finnish Montreal Community Fund
The St. Michael's Finnish Montreal Evangelical Lutheran Church was founded in 1927 by Finnish immigrant women, many of whom had come to work as domestic help for families of Montréal. As a Finnish community formed, the new church quickly became a center of various activities and events. To this day, St. Michael's Church has been an organization providing a wide range of spiritual, social and cultural services to Finnish-speaking people as well as local friends in Montréal. The St. Michael's Finnish Montréal (SMF) Community Fund was created in 2021 as part of the Foundation of Greater Montréal to carry on…
The Fonds Vital d'aide aux réfugiés
In 2015, an anonymous donor created a donor-advised fund with FGM, the Fonds Vital d'aide aux réfugiés (the Refugee Vital Assistance Fund). This fund aims to support integration projects for refugees in the Greater Montréal area, as a complement to government programs and sponsorship initiatives from local community organizations. The Fonds Vital d'aide aux réfugiés grants can be used to: Strengthen community support networks available to refugees; Support cultural awareness programs, including French-language classes; Support employment integration programs; Answer basic needs and necessities such as housing, clothing, food and education; Support any other action that furthers the Fund’s goals. Thank…
La Maison internationale de la Rive-Sud
The Maison Internationale de la Rive-Sud (MIRS) is an independent community organization based in Brossard, in the Montérégie region. Its mission is to support newcomers to Quebec who are either asylum seekers or refugees as they try to settle here and integrate themselves on a socioeconomic level. MIRS also promotes cultural rapprochement and fosters cultural diversity within the community. The Maison can help users find temporary accommodation when they arrive here. Through the Maison, individuals also have access to a health checkup, including psychosocial followup as needed, via the Clinique des réfugiés, run in collaboration with the Montérégie-Centre CISSS. Community…
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…
Chamandy Foundation Fund
In 2015, the Chamandy Family Foundation was created in Montréal. It aimed to improve the day-to-day lives of children, and offer them hope for a better future. In December 2018, Amel Chamandy, President of the Chamandy Foundation, and Tiffany Chamandy, its Executive Director, wanting to increase their commitment to the very youngest in our society, created a philanthropic fund with the Foundation of Greater Montréal. "The Chamandy Foundation commits to supporting children in all aspects of their development: education, rights, the fight against poverty, and health and well-being." The Chamandy Foundation Fund immediately went into action, distributing $825,000 in grants…