Grant and Funding Programs Offered by Fondation École secondaire Marcellin-Champagnat (FESMC)

Fondation École secondaire Marcellin-Champagnat is a non-profit charitable foundation created to support the educational mission of École secondaire Marcellin-Champagnat in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Québec. Originating from the split of the earlier Fondation Marcellin-Champagnat in 2014, it mobilizes donations, bequests and fundraising revenues to improve access to private secondary education and enhance the learning environment. The foundation acts as a key financial partner for both students and the school, complementing public and tuition revenues.

The foundation focuses its financial support on three main axes. First, it offers bursaries directly to students’ families whose financial resources are insufficient to cover tuition and related fixed fees. Two types of bursaries are described: emergency bursaries that address unforeseen short-term difficulties during the school year, and support bursaries that partially or fully cover annual tuition for one or more years.

Second, the foundation funds educational projects that advance pedagogy and student development, such as new learning activities, equipment for science, music or technology, and initiatives that enrich classroom practice. Third, it contributes to school infrastructure projects that improve the quality of services and provide innovative, stimulating learning spaces, including outdoor facilities, multimedia studios and performance areas.

For bursaries, families of students attending or wishing to attend the school must complete an application form and submit it to the foundation’s coordination office by set deadlines (mid-December for new students and mid-May for current students, according to the posted information). Requests are reviewed confidentially by a delegated committee, and responses are provided by email, phone or mail. Emergency bursaries can be requested at any time during the year when an unexpected situation affects family income.

Funding for educational projects is requested by the school’s educators or staff members. A standard form must be completed and submitted to the school’s general management by 15 October each year. For major projects, a more detailed presentation is made to the foundation’s board of directors, which decides on the allocation of funds.

The foundation primarily serves students of École secondaire Marcellin-Champagnat and their families, as well as teachers and school staff who lead projects. Its mission emphasizes accessibility to private secondary education for families facing financial barriers and the promotion of a rich academic, extracurricular, sports and cultural offering. The “Réalisations” section documents numerous funded initiatives over the years, such as outdoor classrooms, multisport fields, multimedia studios, scientific and musical equipment, robotics resources, reading promotion activities and various conferences and workshops for students.

The foundation is governed by a board of directors representing alumni and friends of the school, school staff and management, the school’s governing board and the parents’ association. A permanent coordinator supports day-to-day operations, fundraising and follow-up on bursaries and projects. The historical section of the site explains that the former Fondation Marcellin-Champagnat was founded in 1980 to provide financial aid to families at Collège Laval and later extended its mission to École secondaire Marcellin-Champagnat, before being split in 2014 to create a dedicated foundation for each institution.