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.
Green Chinatown Montreal
Green Chinatown Montréal (GCM) was founded in 2011 by two Concordia University professors in partnership with the Montreal Chinese Hospital, as a gardening and occupational therapy program for long-term care residents. Its volunteers worked with the hospital’s staff and residents to maintain an above-ground container garden through the growing season. After six years of successful partnership, GCM had to find a new location for its garden. So, in late 2017, it developed a vision for a larger, first-of-its-kind community collective garden for Chinatown residents. While efforts are being made to bring this vision to fruition, the collective garden operates in…
Fonds Fondation Famille Lupien
Formerly with National Bank Financial, where he held the position of Senior Vice President and Portfolio Manager, Richard Lupien is a convinced and committed philanthropist. For over 15 years, he has been involved as a volunteer with many causes and organizations, making numerous donations, as well as soliciting donations from those in his network. He has served on the boards of several organizations, and sits on the Governing Council of HEC Montréal. In 2015, he was awarded the prize for the advisor “most engaged in his community” by Finance et Investissement. Upon his retirement, Mr. Lupien decided to create a lasting framework for his…
Maison Le Paravent
Maison Le Paravent is located in the Lower Laurentians, more specifically in the Deux-Montagnes area. It aims to be a safe, inclusive and restful place for women experiencing or at risk of homelessness, and their children. Open since 2022, the organization is the only shelter exclusively for women experiencing homelessness in the Lower Laurentians region. Residents will find a sympathetic ear, support, and help in regaining their autonomy and dignity. To achieve this, Maison Le Paravent not only meets their basic needs (shelter, security, food, clothing, a space for discussion), but also provides personalized support and follow-up after departure, as…
Fonds Institut des territoires
The Institut des territoires (IDT) is a non-profit organization based in the Laurentians. Its mission is to “develop the concept of conservation”. Founded in 2016, this group aims to create and maintain multifunctional protected areas through conservation, monitoring and ecological restoration activities. To achieve this, it provides services in sustainable land use. Also, it develops innovative knowledge in environmental protection and sustainable regional development. Its team builds partnerships with public, private and hybrid actors. Such partnerships have already resulted in the development of a dozen protected areas in several localities in the Laurentians. In 2023, the IDT established the Fonds Institut…
The Fonds Fondation Boubou
The mission of the Fonds Fondation Boubou is to support the summer camps at the National Dance Therapy Center of Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, in order to make dance accessible to people who are neurodiverse and make them "shine like the stars". According to its creator, Ms. Émilie Barrette, "this fund is named in honour of Catherine Barrette, nicknamed Boubou, who would also have loved to dance".
Iakè:iahre'ne Indian Village
An English translation can be found below. Watsenni:ne McComber Iakoká:raton Rakhsotkénha, Chief Poking Fire, tióhton iawén:re tewen'niáwe áhsen niwáhsen ià:ia'k shiiohserá:te' tahatáhsawen' ne Indian Village. Ne thó:ne iah tekaién:tahkwe' ne kaia'takehnháhtshera' wahonnón:ni' káti' ahonwatiia'tekéhnha' ne ionatenhre'ónhskon tánon' tehonarahsi’takwe’nón:ni oh naiá:wen'ne' enwá:ton' enhatihní:non' nahò:ten' tehonatonhontsó:ni roatihwá:tsire’. Ionkwe’tanákerehkwe’ ne tekontitsi'nehtará:rons, ronhkaratáhkwas, eh tho nikarihò:ten's. Enhonnón:ni raonawenhshòn:'a tsi niióhseres akohserà:ke oh naiá:wen'ne' enwá:ton' akenhnhà:ke enhontkè:ron' Indian Village nón:we. Kowá:nen karístatsi ionnià:ton teiotenonhsakwe'nón:ni ne Indian Village tánon' teioten'enhratá:se' tánon' ken' niwatenhninonhserà:sa aktóntie' kanonhsó:ton. É:so ionkwè:take tho wa'akoió'ten'. Tho shes ní:tsi é:so rá:ti ken' nithotiièn:sa tehatinonniáhkhwa' enhonthwistónnia'te' nahonterihwaienstà:na' tóka' ni' ahontatahkwenniahní:non'se' tóka' ni' kwah nek…