Role of the Assembly of Catholic Bishops of Quebec in the funding ecosystem
The Assembly of Catholic Bishops of Quebec (AECQ) is the coordination body for Catholic bishops across Quebec. In addition to its pastoral and public intervention work, the AECQ, through its Secretariat, administers structured financial support for community initiatives. A key tool is its province-wide program for the funding of social action projects, designed to support organizations whose activities embody the Church’s social values of solidarity, justice, sharing, respect for human dignity, pursuit of the common good and protection of the environment.
Each year, the Secretariat of the bishops distributes a little over $100,000 to external organizations that submit promising projects. The available funds come from investment income generated by donations made in the 1980s by various religious communities and dioceses in Quebec. This capital now serves as a source of recurring funding to encourage social engagement and innovation in local communities.
Target audiences and types of projects supported
The program is open to all non-profit organizations; applicants do not have to be religious bodies. Projects are selected according to priority needs identified by the bishops, which include welcoming migrants and refugees, supporting temporary foreign workers, combating violence, educating about the social dimensions of faith, advancing reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, fostering social engagement at all ages, and safeguarding the environment (“our common home”).
Past recipients include a wide range of community, educational and faith-based organizations from many regions of Quebec: social justice centres, organizations working on non-violence and restorative justice, youth centres, migrant worker support networks, ecological and “green church” initiatives, and numerous parishes and Catholic movements engaged in social outreach. This diversity illustrates the program’s openness to different forms of social action, as long as they align with the program’s stated values.
General evaluation and application framework
The AECQ provides a dedicated funding application form that details the eligibility and selection criteria for social action projects. Applicant organizations must present a clear description of their initiative, its objectives, target population, expected impact and budget. Projects are then assessed in light of the priority themes identified by the bishops and their potential to contribute concretely to solidarity, justice, reconciliation and environmental stewardship in Quebec communities.
Calls for projects and submission deadlines are communicated through the AECQ’s news and press release section. For the social action funding program, a specific annual deadline is announced (for example, 15 May 2026), and a designated contact person at the Secretariat is provided to answer questions and support applicants during the process.
Governance, transparency and contact
The funding program is overseen by the Secretariat of the Assembly of Catholic Bishops of Quebec, which manages the endowed funds and the annual allocation of grants. Public news items outline the goals of the program, the approximate total amount distributed each year, the origin of the funds and examples of supported organizations, contributing to transparency about how Church-linked resources are used to support broader community and social development across the province.