Grant and Funding Programs Offered by Fondation Sainte-Anne

Fondation Sainte-Anne is the philanthropic arm of Collège Sainte-Anne, serving the institution’s three levels of education in the Montréal area (notably Lachine and Dorval). Created in 1992 and governed by an independent board of directors, the foundation mobilizes parents, alumni, staff and external partners to finance scholarships as well as innovative educational and infrastructure projects. It operates several thematic funds that transform donations into direct financial support for families and into strategic investments for the school network.

The foundation administers a structured scholarship program aimed at making Sainte-Anne accessible regardless of a family’s financial situation. Its financial aid scholarships can cover up to 80% of tuition, while emergency “dépannage” grants support families experiencing sudden hardship during the school year. In addition, Parcours Sainte-Anne scholarships accompany selected pupils throughout their full school path, funded in partnership with individual benefactors.

Applications are submitted annually via the independent FAST platform, which analyzes a family’s ability to contribute. A dedicated scholarship committee uses this confidential analysis to decide on awards. Each year, the foundation distributes hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarships, helping hundreds of families across all Sainte-Anne institutions. It also awards recognition prizes such as the Effet Fondation prizes and specific awards like the Bourse verte for environmental engagement.

Beyond scholarships, Fondation Sainte-Anne manages an Innovation and Pedagogical Development Fund that finances projects aligned with the college’s educational vision. Examples include support for the Emilia AI-assisted correction tool, interdisciplinary week initiatives at the college level, reading projects, and programs to strengthen French-language skills (e.g. project B12). These investments encourage active pedagogy, creativity and the integration of new technologies in classrooms.

The Infrastructure Fund finances major facilities that enhance learning environments and community life. Documented projects include an outdoor gym in Lachine, a multi-sport synthetic field in Dorval, the creative lab “Chaufferie”, and the large-scale greenhouse and outdoor learning pavilion project in Dorval. The foundation frequently publishes the amounts committed to each project, often in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, illustrating the scale of its intervention.

The foundation’s primary beneficiaries are students and families of all Sainte-Anne establishments, from preschool to college. Its assistance targets families demonstrating financial need, but also rewards student engagement, perseverance, leadership and commitment to sustainable development. At the same time, teachers and school teams benefit from new spaces, equipment and innovative projects made possible by philanthropic funding.

Through its funds, events and donor campaigns, Fondation Sainte-Anne channels community generosity into concrete impacts: improved access to education, enrichment of curricular and extracurricular experiences, and more inclusive and sustainable learning environments. Its transparent communication of figures and funded projects positions it as a significant education-focused grant maker within the Sainte-Anne community.

An active board of directors and a small permanent team oversee governance and the allocation of collected assets. The foundation regularly reports on its “bons coups”, listing the amounts granted in scholarships and investments per year. It also maintains close relationships with corporate donors, family foundations, parent associations and municipal partners, many of whom are publicly recognized as major benefactors. These partnerships reinforce the foundation’s capacity to sustain and expand its portfolio of scholarships and educational projects.