Role of the CHSLD Polonais-Marie-Curie-Sklodowska Foundation in the funding ecosystem
The CHSLD Polonais-Marie-Curie-Sklodowska Foundation is a health‑care related charity associated with the CIUSSS de l’Est-de-l’Île-de-Montréal. Its mandate is to collect donations from individuals, the community and partners, and to reinvest these funds in projects that directly benefit residents of the CHSLD Polonais Marie-Curie-Sklodowska. Rather than operating formal competitive calls for proposals, the foundation provides discretionary financial support to initiatives identified with the care team and the long‑term care centre.
According to the CIUSSS foundations hub, partner foundations like this one support a wide range of activities: creation of support services, purchase of specialized medical and comfort equipment, improvement of living environments, as well as teaching bursaries and research projects. On its own page, the CHSLD Polonais foundation highlights funding for adapted and specialized equipment, refurbishment and decoration of common areas, and a variety of leisure activities tailored to residents.
Supported audiences and types of projects
The foundation’s funding exclusively targets residents of the CHSLD Polonais-Marie-Curie-Sklodowska, a long‑term care facility serving older adults who have lost autonomy. Projects financed aim to improve both clinical care and everyday life. Examples mentioned include:
- Comfortable and welcoming living environments, such as community rooms, family lounges and decorated common spaces.
- Recreational and social activities like Christmas gifts and animation materials for the units.
- Therapeutic activities with a proven impact on well‑being, including pet therapy, music therapy and horticulture.
By covering these costs, the foundation complements the public health budget and enables more human, stimulating and culturally sensitive environments for residents.
Funding sources and benefit events
The foundation relies on individual donations, including online contributions processed via CanadaHelps, as well as cheques sent by post. It also organizes recurring benefit events whose profits are fully dedicated to the CHSLD residents. The page mentions an annual ball held in April and a wine and cheese event in November, inviting the community to participate in these fundraising activities.
Governance and accountability
The foundation publishes its official charity registration number (890570062RR0001) and contact information, attesting to its status as a registered Canadian charity. Operating under the broader governance and value framework of the CIUSSS‑EMTL, it aligns its choices of projects with the institution’s mission to provide quality health and social services adapted to the needs of the population of eastern Montréal.
Through these mechanisms, the CHSLD Polonais-Marie-Curie-Sklodowska Foundation plays a targeted but important role in the local funding ecosystem, by channeling philanthropic resources into concrete, small‑scale projects that enhance the daily lives of long‑term care residents.