Grant and Funding Programs Offered by Philanthropie Laurentides

Philanthropie Laurentides is a community foundation dedicated to strengthening the social, cultural, environmental and human fabric of the Laurentides region in Québec. As a partner of Community Foundations of Canada, it encourages philanthropy and channels donations into structured funds whose revenues are distributed as financial support to registered charities, non-profit organizations and public institutions such as universities and hospitals.

The foundation offers individuals, families, businesses and organizations the possibility to create customized philanthropic or endowed funds. These funds can be designated to specific organizations, focused on thematic sectors, unrestricted, or oriented through annual donor recommendations. Philanthropie Laurentides handles the administrative, investment and fiscal aspects, freeing fund creators from the complexity of managing a private foundation while ensuring long-term impact.

Through philanthropic funds and endowment funds, the capital is invested and the income is used to finance grants. Some funds allow partial encroachment on capital for short-term or time-limited projects, while others preserve capital and distribute only a fixed percentage of investment income (often around 3.5% annually, according to stated policy). Beneficiaries include environmental, social, cultural and community initiatives across the Laurentides.

The organization also manages government programs entrusted to it, using its regional knowledge to coordinate funds and ensure that grants and financial aid have the greatest possible impact. These programs aim to respond to local social, human, cultural and environmental needs and to reinforce the region’s social and economic resilience.

While detailed selection criteria are not fully listed, the site emphasizes prudent and responsible investment management, including ESG principles, diversity, equity and inclusion, and objectives of carbon neutrality. Philanthropie Laurentides positions itself as a catalyst, bringing together financial resources, technical expertise and strategic partnerships to support high-impact projects that align with community priorities and fund objectives.

Philanthropie Laurentides collaborates with the Fondation du Grand Montréal for professional investment management, benefiting from that foundation’s responsible and impact investment strategy. It is part of the national network of more than 190 community foundations across Canada, which allows it to leverage shared expertise and government partnerships. Governance and distribution rules, such as minimum fund thresholds and timelines before distributions begin, are clearly outlined to promote transparency and the sustainability of granted funds.