Grant and Funding Programs Offered by Epic Opportunities Foundation

Épic Foundation is a non-profit philanthropic organization based in Montréal, Québec. Closely linked to the Centre ÉPIC and the Montreal Heart Institute, it has been collecting donations since 1972 to support prevention in cardiovascular and metabolic health. The foundation channels individual and planned gifts, lotteries and benefit events into concrete financial support for the Centre ÉPIC, the Institute’s Prevention Directorate and selected prevention initiatives.

According to its mission, the foundation raises funds to sustain the activities and development of these institutions and to carry out its own projects promoting healthy lifestyles and health in general. Its values highlight respect for donors and members, audacity to foster innovative projects and programs, partnership, rigour in the management of entrusted funds, and transparency and equity in the allocation of donated sums.

The page “Grâce à vos dons” describes two main funding axes. First, the foundation supports prevention research by providing financial backing for the start-up of research projects and by purchasing equipment needed to carry out prevention studies. These projects address both healthy individuals and people with multiple risk factors, as well as patients with established heart disease, through primary and secondary prevention. The foundation points researchers and the public to the Centre ÉPIC’s clinical research pages and to LESCA, a laboratory studying cognitive health in seniors that benefits from this support.

Second, the foundation contributes to the development of the Centre ÉPIC by funding the acquisition and renewal of cutting-edge training and diagnostic equipment, as well as improvements to facilities. For nearly 40 years, donor generosity has enabled the maintenance of a high-quality environment that helps thousands of people adopt and sustain healthy habits through one of Canada’s largest cardiovascular prevention centres.

In addition to project and infrastructure funding, the Épic Foundation offers more targeted financial support. During the annual “Journée de la recherche” organized by the Montreal Heart Institute, the foundation awards two bursaries of $500 each to young cardiovascular researchers, illustrating its role in supporting emerging scientific talent. The foundation also runs structured donor recognition programs, including status levels highlighted in the annual report and on-site banners, and a recognition board for major donors.

The “Dons planifiés” section explains how donors can structure longer-term financial commitments. The foundation promotes several planned giving mechanisms—testamentary bequests, life insurance gifts, gifts of securities and gifts in kind. It offers the possibility of contributing to a general fund or creating a named fund, where annual investment income is used to advance the foundation’s mission according to orientations agreed with the donor. Another option, the “Les clés d’ÉPIC” fund, allows donors to finance a beneficiary’s lifetime membership at the Centre ÉPIC, after which the capital reverts to the universal fund.

The foundation is governed by a volunteer board of directors largely composed of active members of the Centre ÉPIC. Its co-directors and the board emphasize compliance with privacy legislation and ethical codes. The “Publications” section makes financial statements and annual reports for many years publicly available, reflecting its commitment to accountability in the use of donated funds. These reports detail how contributions are transformed into research support, equipment purchases, and prevention programs that benefit the broader population.