Grant and Funding Programs Offered by Mission chez nous (MCN)

Mission chez nous is a non-profit charity established in 1993 by the Assembly of Catholic Bishops of Quebec to promote Christian solidarity with Indigenous peoples. The organization operates across the territory known as Quebec, where it supports Catholic missions and communities located in First Nations and Inuit environments. Its core financial role is to collect donations from individuals and institutions and to redistribute these funds as grants to missions and local communities that provide pastoral, spiritual and community support.

According to its public reporting, hundreds of thousands of dollars collected during a given year are allocated the following year as subventions to a network of missions in several dioceses. For example, it states that $309,490 raised in 2023 was distributed in 2024 in grants to 22 Catholic missions or communities in nine dioceses serving Indigenous populations. A dedicated “Missions soutenues” section and an interactive map present these supported missions by diocese.

Mission chez nous primarily serves Indigenous communities in Quebec—both First Nations and Inuit—through the missions and pastoral workers present on the ground. Its funding helps ensure a significant pastoral presence, supports community initiatives, and strengthens local capacity to respond to spiritual and human needs. Through its grants, the organization backs a wide variety of pastoral and community projects such as local parish life, gatherings, activities for youth and elders, and accompaniment in times of crisis.

Beyond direct financial support, Mission chez nous also plays an educational and awareness-raising role with the broader Catholic and francophone public. Through its Confluents radio show and semiannual bulletin, as well as a large bank of liturgical tools, prayers, videos and pedagogical resources, it encourages dialogue, combats prejudice and highlights Indigenous voices within and around the Church.

The creation of Mission chez nous responded to a shift in global Catholic mission funding. As international organizations reoriented their aid to countries in the Global South and religious communities saw their financial and human resources decline, there was a growing gap in support for Indigenous missions in Canada’s francophone regions. Mission chez nous was founded to consolidate the solidarity of francophone Christians with Indigenous communities at home.

Over time, the organization moved from relying on external Catholic mission bodies to depending almost entirely on its own donor base. It now runs regular fundraising campaigns and promotes planned giving to secure the continuity of its support. Throughout its history, Mission chez nous has linked financial aid with a broader commitment to reconciliation, justice and mutual understanding between Indigenous peoples and the Catholic Church.

Mission chez nous identifies itself as a registered charity with Canada Revenue Agency and Revenu Québec and publishes annual activity reports, including the total amounts granted and the number of missions or communities supported. A board of directors composed of bishops, religious and lay members oversees the organization, while a small professional team manages daily operations, donor relations and communication. This structure aims to ensure that donations are used responsibly and that grants effectively reach Indigenous missions and communities in need.