Grant and Funding Programs Offered by Macdonald Stewart Foundation (MSF)

The Macdonald Stewart Foundation’s mission is to continue the philanthropic legacy of Sir William C. Macdonald and the Stewart family by providing substantial financial support to projects that advance education, medicine, culture, Canadian historical heritage and community well-being across Canada.

Macdonald Stewart Foundation (MSF) is a Foundation.

Macdonald Stewart Foundation (MSF) was founded in 1973.

Macdonald Stewart Foundation (MSF)'s official website is https://www.msfoundation.org/.

Role of the Macdonald Stewart Foundation in the funding ecosystem

The Macdonald Stewart Foundation is a Canadian non-profit philanthropic foundation headquartered in Montréal. Established in 1973 following the sale of Macdonald Tobacco Inc., it was endowed by David and Liliane Stewart to continue the tradition of philanthropy initiated by Sir William C. Macdonald in the 19th century. The Foundation works independently and in partnership with public institutions and charities to provide major financial assistance to projects in education, medicine, culture and Canadian heritage, as well as broader community well-being.

Main funding domains and types of support

• Education: The Foundation has a long history of supporting institutions of higher learning. It has contributed to the construction and refurbishment of university buildings such as the Macdonald Stewart Pavilion at McGill University’s Macdonald Campus, research greenhouses, eco-residences and water resource management initiatives. It has also supported academic chairs, laboratories and program development at universities including UQAM, Concordia, the University of Guelph, the University of Prince Edward Island and Queen’s University, and has backed scholarships such as the David and Liliane Stewart Scholarship in Paris.
• Medicine and health: In the health sector, the Foundation funds projects that advance medical science and improve the quality of care in hospitals. Examples include the creation and ongoing equipping of the School of Cytology at Hôtel-Dieu Hospital in Montréal, the purchase of advanced research instruments in pneumology, cellular immunology, microsurgery, nuclear medicine and pediatric cardiology, and the provision of CT scanners to several Québec hospitals. It has also financed biomedical computing infrastructure at McGill University and facilities for the Université de Montréal’s nutrition department.
• Community well-being: The Foundation supports community organizations that improve living conditions for families, children, youth and seniors. Funding priorities include food banks, transitional housing for people who are homeless or fleeing domestic violence, substance abuse programs, school retention and academic success initiatives, and rehabilitation and recreation services for people with physical or intellectual disabilities. Donations are guided by the depth of an organization’s community roots, volunteer involvement and long-term impact.
• Culture and heritage: A distinctive focus is the preservation and enhancement of Canada’s historical and cultural heritage, particularly the country’s French and British roots and military history. The Foundation has helped create and sustain institutions such as the Stewart Museum and has supported heritage buildings, living history programs and related cultural projects.

General funding approach

The Foundation operates as a discretionary grantmaker rather than through rigid, highly structured programs. Nevertheless, it defines clear fields of interest and uses an application process, including an online portal, to manage funding requests. At times, as indicated on the site, the budget may be fully committed and the portal temporarily closed to new applications.

History and evolution

The Foundation’s mission is deeply rooted in the legacy of Sir William C. Macdonald, whose philanthropy significantly shaped Canadian universities and public institutions. David and Liliane Stewart expanded this legacy by broadening support to community services, museums, and medical innovation. Over the decades, the Foundation’s work has left a lasting but deliberately discreet mark on Canada’s educational, medical, cultural and heritage landscape, with governance now entrusted to a board of directors that continues to uphold its founding vision.

Publics served and overall impact

Beneficiaries of the Macdonald Stewart Foundation include universities, hospitals, research centres, museums, heritage sites and a wide range of community organizations. Through capital projects, equipment funding, program support and scholarships, its grants help improve access to education, strengthen health services, preserve cultural heritage and enhance quality of life for diverse communities across Canada.