Grant and Funding Programs Offered by Foundation for the Students of the Centre de services scolaire de la Région-de-Sherbrooke

The Foundation for the Students of the Centre de services scolaire de la Région-de-Sherbrooke is a charitable non-profit created in 2007 to support student success in the Sherbrooke region. Closely linked to the public school service centre, it mobilizes donors and partners and redistributes the funds collected to 47 schools and centres that together serve around 27,000 students.

The Foundation has invested nearly 9 million dollars since its creation, acting as a financial lever for projects that foster perseverance, graduation and personal development. Its support complements public funding by making possible a wide range of enrichment activities and targeted support measures for young people, particularly those at risk of dropping out.

The Foundation explicitly finances programs and projects such as homework help, tutoring, psychological support, sports and cultural activities, robotics and entrepreneurship initiatives, as well as recognition galas and perseverance scholarships. Through these interventions it aims to reduce the school dropout rate in Estrie and increase graduation.

Its impact is structured around several major axes, including perseverance, mental and physical health, culture and sports, robotics and innovation, and vocational and post-secondary pathways. The Foundation supports external community programs (for example homework and psychosocial support for youth from disadvantaged neighbourhoods), awareness campaigns encouraging students to stay in school, large-scale recognition events like the Gala des Bravos, and literary and sporting competitions that strengthen students’ sense of belonging.

In vocational training and secondary education, the Foundation also channels private partner contributions into perseverance scholarships and other financial assistance, with certain selection criteria defined directly by donors. This discretionary funding helps remove economic barriers and encourages young people to continue their studies.

The Foundation is governed by a board of directors whose members come from the education community and various professional sectors, and who are committed to the mission of educational success. Several committees, including those for major fundraising events such as the Bal de la persévérance scolaire and the golf tournament, help organize activities that generate significant revenues later reinvested in funded projects.

Strong partnerships with municipalities, financial institutions, businesses and other foundations enhance its capacity to offer scholarships and support projects across the CSSRS network. By working in alignment with the CSSRS strategic orientations, the Foundation plays a key role in the local funding ecosystem dedicated to student perseverance and success.