Grant and Funding Programs Offered by Jean-Dupéré Foundation

The Jean-Dupéré Foundation is a private charitable foundation created according to the last wishes of Jean Dupéré, who earmarked five million dollars in his will to support the population of Thetford Mines. Since its creation in 2003, the foundation has distributed more than two million dollars in financial assistance, focusing on the fields of health and education in the MRC des Appalaches region of Québec.

The foundation’s mandate is to help both individuals and organizations in need. Its support can take several forms, including direct financial aid to cover health-related costs, support for educational projects, and bursaries for students pursuing university studies.

In health, the foundation supports initiatives that improve the well-being of seniors, promote children’s health, and help families facing illness or disability. Examples mentioned include projects to improve seniors’ physical condition and cognitive stimulation, programs to combat isolation, support for prenatal nutrition through the OLO program, and financial aid for travel or treatment costs for elderly people and parents of sick or disabled children.

In education, the foundation backs school nutrition programs in disadvantaged areas, projects to prevent school dropout, and initiatives that help temporarily excluded students reintegrate the school system. It also offers merit-based financial aid to students from the Cégep de Thetford who continue their studies at university, in the form of an annual bursary for each year of a bachelor’s degree.

The foundation’s activities are targeted primarily at the population living on the territory of the MRC des Appalaches. For individual applications, only requests concerning young people and seniors residing in this territory and whose needs relate to health or education are considered. For organizations, only those working in health or education within the same territory are eligible.

The page “Notre clientèle” lists many beneficiary organizations such as health institutions, community groups, youth organizations, schools, and social service agencies, showing a broad impact across the local social and educational fabric.

The Jean-Dupéré Foundation operates open but structured application processes. Individuals and organizations must submit detailed information by mail, including the nature of the request, the amount sought, and supporting documents. Individuals are asked for income tax returns and a summary of income and expenses, while organizations must provide financial statements, a board resolution confirming responsibility for managing the funds, and incorporation documents proving non-profit status.

Through these mechanisms, the foundation aims to ensure that its funds are directed to credible projects and real needs aligned with its mission of improving health and education outcomes in the Thetford Mines region.