Role of Entraide diabétique du Québec in the funding ecosystem
Entraide diabétique du Québec Inc. (EDQ) is a non-profit public foundation created in 1994 by Diabète Québec. Registered as a charitable organization with the Canada Revenue Agency, EDQ operates a large-scale collection system for used textiles and small household items throughout several regions of Quebec. These items are resold, notably through a long-standing partnership with Village des Valeurs and other partners, and the profits generated are transferred to Diabète Québec and to various local associations with which EDQ has developed partnerships.
The organization’s mission is to contribute to Diabète Québec’s work of supporting people living with diabetes by generating funds through innovative and sustainable collection and redistribution solutions rooted in community values. EDQ plays an intermediary role: it transforms donations of used goods into financial resources that support diabetes research, information, prevention and services for people affected by the disease.
Supported audiences and types of funding
Funds generated by EDQ are directed primarily to Diabète Québec, a provincial association dedicated to improving the well-being of people living with diabetes. According to its FAQ, EDQ also redistributes funding to various local associations with which it has built partnerships, helping them carry out diabetes-related and community projects in their territories.
In addition to this indirect funding, EDQ offers a concrete way for schools, community groups, companies and other organizations to finance their own projects. Through the initiative highlighted on the page "Un projet à financer?", groups can organize clothing and item collection drives. EDQ provides logistical support by picking up the collected goods and then pays the group based on the weight of what has been recovered. This mechanism transforms the value of donated items into direct financial support for the group’s chosen project while diverting usable materials from landfill.
Collection model and territorial presence
EDQ coordinates its operations from a head office in Mirabel and operates additional centers in Québec City and Trois-Rivières. The organization maintains a fleet of trucks and employs teams of drivers, telephone agents and logistics staff to organize daily pick-ups. Residents can contribute via some 200 donation boxes installed across several Quebec regions or through free home pick-up services.
This operational model enables EDQ to recover thousands of tonnes of textiles and small household objects each year, significantly reducing residual waste while generating stable funding for diabetes-related causes. Municipalities, businesses and institutions can also support EDQ by hosting donation boxes or collaborating on special collection campaigns.
Transparency, governance and charitable status
EDQ’s status as a registered charity and public foundation is highlighted in its history and FAQ sections, which indicate that it is duly recognized by the Canada Revenue Agency. While EDQ itself focuses on collecting and monetizing donated goods rather than managing traditional grant programs with open calls, it clearly channels the resulting funds to Diabète Québec and partnered local associations and remunerates community groups that organize collection projects.
Through this hybrid model—combining environmental recovery of textiles and philanthropic redistribution of revenues—Entraide diabétique du Québec occupies a specific niche in Quebec’s funding ecosystem, providing an ongoing source of financial support for diabetes-focused organizations and community initiatives.