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.
Fonds Fondation Louis Pierre
For Louis Pierre, gratitude, empathy and solidarity are the foundations of philanthropy. Knowing that not everyone gets the same opportunities in life, he started thinking about how he could best help others. His first contributions came while he was a student. He pitched in with other volunteer swimming instructors to organize swim classes for individuals with disabilities. He then continued as he began his career with the federal government. "I started with fairly modest donations, but then realized that as the years went on, I had the capacity to give more. It didn’t hurt too much….in fact, it made me…
CPAWS: Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, Quebec section
The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS), Quebec section is an organization dedicated to protecting nature. In French, it is called SNAP Québec, SNAP being Société pour la nature et les parcs du Canada. Since 2001, the Quebec section has worked towards the establishment of a network of protected areas across the province. Its goal is to ensure the long-term protection of boreal forest, the Far North and the Saint Lawrence River, notably. In other words, the ecosystems that harbour our endangered species. Its efforts have led to the setting aside of thousands of square kilometres of protected area in…
Fonds Fondation Espace pour la vie
The Fonds Fondation Espace pour la vie was constituted at FGM in 2021 with $1 million. It will ensure the long-term health of the Biodôme, Biosphère, Insectarium, Botanical Gardens and Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium. The extraordinary generosity of donors from across the community was essential in its creation. "These donors are very keen on keeping their natural sciences museums vibrant," explains Stéphanie Barker, Executive Director of the Space for Life Foundation. Sébastien Fassier, its Chair of the Board of Directors, adds: "We live in times of health and climate crises. Many people are turning to Space for Life to understand science…
The Art Crush - Ensembl'arts, Djokic & Zhao Fund
By blending concert music with dance and the visual arts, Ensembl’arts creates immersive experiences in unexpected places and spaces. Its innovative approaches are deployed both onstage and offstage. They move audiences to experience a new type of multidisciplinary approach in the familiar context of a concert, while also giving equal performance space to each of the disciplines involved. With every new creation, Ensembl’arts seeks to weave stronger connections among music, dance and the visual arts. It does so by bringing new works to life in singular environments. The organization aims to develop innovative projects, educate the public about this special…
Doctors of the World Canada
In Quebec, about 50 000 migrant persons are not eligible to the free healthcare the government provides, including pregnant women, children and vulnerable seniors. These people suffer from daily social injustices, which have a detrimental effect on their health and even their survival. That is why Doctors of the World Canada has set up, in 2011, a clinic dedicated to such people. It allows them to obtain the healthcare, support and references they need. To back its multidisciplinary team of volunteer nurses, social workers and physicians in their work, the Trottier Family Foundation and the Foundation of Greater Montréal have…
La Traversée
La Traversée Social Services Center is an organization that welcomes asylum seekers. Its mission is to organize their accommodations and accompaniment through immigration procedures. Women, men as well as isolated or single-parent families are their users. To support them, the Trottier Family Foundation and the Foundation of Greater Montréal have granted $20,000 to La Traversée.