Role of the Fondation du Collège François-de-Laval in the funding ecosystem
The Fondation du Collège François-de-Laval is a registered charitable public foundation created to support Collège François-de-Laval, one of the oldest educational institutions in North America, located in Québec City. According to its general by-laws, the Foundation’s mission is to strengthen the sense of belonging of the college community while being at the centre of its philanthropic priorities. It contributes to the long-term sustainability of the Collège and its educational mission, in particular by participating in the institution’s annual funding.
A key component of this role is the management of the Programme de bourses d’aide financière (PBAF), identified as the priority of its charitable activities. This program offers need-based bursaries to families experiencing financial precarity so that promising students can attend the school. The Foundation acts as fiduciary of donated funds, ensuring rigorous and transparent management.
Funding programs and types of support
The Foundation administers several forms of financial support:
- Financial aid bursaries (PBAF) that cover part of school fees for eligible students. Applications are submitted by parents using a detailed form, including financial and family information, and, for new requests, an accompanying student form.
- Access scholarships governed by specific guidelines that set eligibility, required documents and conditions related to academic performance and behaviour. Bursaries are paid directly to the Collège and are non-transferable and non-refundable.
- Support for school projects and a Fonds de soutien aux élèves, managed by the same advisory committee, which can provide targeted financial assistance for particular educational or student support initiatives.
The number of bursaries and the associated amounts are determined annually based on available resources and the evolution of each family’s situation. All complete applications are analyzed by an advisory committee mandated by the Foundation’s board.
Funding priorities and campaigns
Beyond individual bursaries, the Foundation runs major fundraising campaigns to invest in the broader learning environment. The 355th anniversary campaign, which surpassed its target with 3.7 million dollars raised, is structured around four main axes: scholarships, sports facilities and equipment, pedagogical environment and staff support, and the improvement of the physical environment and student life spaces. Class-based giving collectives are also encouraged to finance the renovation of specific classrooms.
Governance, transparency and eligibility principles
The Foundation is incorporated under Québec’s Companies Act (Part III) and governed by detailed by-laws defining membership, board composition, committees and officers. The PBAF policy specifies that applications must be submitted by set annual deadlines and must include tax assessments, income information and, for business owners, financial statements. Priority criteria include annual family income, number of dependants and marital status. The Foundation commits to confidentiality, equitable distribution of limited resources and systematic annual review of bursary renewals.
Through this structure, the Fondation du Collège François-de-Laval acts as a central philanthropic lever for the Collège, channeling donations into concrete financial aid for students and long-term investments in educational, sports and living environments.