Grant and Funding Programs Offered by Mont St Joseph Foundation Inc (MSJ)

Mont St. Joseph Foundation is a non-profit charitable foundation incorporated in 1989 under the Saskatchewan Non-profit Corporations Act. Its sole purpose is to support Mont St. Joseph Home, a 120‑bed long-term care facility in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, by providing financial resources that go beyond what government grants and resident fees can cover. The Foundation raises money from individuals, families, businesses, service clubs and community events, then allocates these funds to programs, equipment and capital projects that directly benefit residents, families and staff.

According to its by-laws, the Foundation may receive, hold, invest, administer and apply property and income in furtherance of its objectives and programs. This includes enriching or creating program opportunities, and acquiring furnishings and equipment that enhance the safety, comfort, dignity and living standards of those living in the Home. The Foundation’s governance is overseen by a volunteer Board of Directors, supported by standing and ad hoc committees that help plan funding priorities and manage initiatives.

The “How You Make a Difference” content highlights a broad range of expenditures made possible through community donations. These include support for the Spiritual Care Program, investments in staff education, training and development, and practical quality‑of‑life enhancements such as flowers for the front deck and resident balconies, upgraded furniture in common spaces, and free basic Internet service for residents and guests.

The Foundation also directs funds toward infrastructure and capital upgrades for the aging facility. Over a multi‑year horizon, identified needs include new living area cabinets and fridges, commercial refrigeration, dining room furniture, repainting and flooring, upgraded medication room security, laundry renovations, wheelchair garden features, stainless steel counters, garage and van storage, solar hot water systems and improved audio‑visual equipment. These projects represent ongoing funding priorities that require significant community investment.

In addition to internal facility support, the Foundation provides outward‑facing financial assistance in the form of charitable scholarships to local high school graduates, helping encourage careers and education aligned with caregiving and community service. It also partners with external research initiatives such as the St. Thomas More project on non‑profit long‑term care homes, demonstrating a role in wider sector improvement.

The Foundation relies on multiple fundraising and planned giving mechanisms to sustain its grant‑making capacity. Signature events and campaigns include the MSJ Charity Golf Classic, Ball Drop Raffle, Monty Mixed Curling Funspiel, Garden of Life, Tree of Love, Grandparent’s Day celebrations, and a bi‑weekly 50/50 draw. A Circle of Care Monthly Giving Program encourages recurring donations, while planned gifts and bequests, highlighted through examples of major estate gifts, provide substantial long‑term support.

Corporate sponsorships and community partners play a central role in financing these initiatives. The site showcases numerous business and service‑club sponsors, underlining a strong local network. Through this mix of events, monthly giving and legacy donations, the Foundation assembles the resources needed to approve and fund projects that maintain and improve the Home.

The Foundation’s by-laws describe a structured governance model with 8 to 13 volunteer directors, officers elected annually, regular and annual meetings, and standing committees such as the Executive and Nominating Committees. A detailed code of conduct addresses duties, confidentiality, conflicts of interest and communication protocols, emphasizing that directors must act in the best interests of the Foundation and uphold high ethical standards.

The mission, shared with Mont St. Joseph Home, is to give and receive care and compassion for mind, body and spirit based on Catholic ethics and Christian values. Funding decisions and program priorities are framed within this mission, focusing on holistic, resident‑centred care. As a registered public foundation under the Income Tax Act, Mont St. Joseph Foundation operates with requirements for appropriate stewardship of charitable assets, transparent financial reporting and proper disposition of assets in the event of dissolution.

Overall, the Foundation functions as a targeted grant‑making body within the long‑term care sector in Prince Albert, channeling community generosity into concrete improvements, scholarships and services that sustain and enhance life at Mont St. Joseph Home.