Grant and Funding Programs Offered by Quebec Firefighters Foundation for Burn Victims (FPQGB)

The Quebec Firefighters Foundation for Burn Victims (Fondation des pompiers du Québec pour les grands brûlés) is a philanthropic organization created by and for firefighters to support people affected by severe burns across Quebec. For more than 35 years, it has acted as a key financial partner for specialized burn treatment centres, rehabilitation facilities, psychological support organizations and community initiatives that improve the quality of life of burn survivors and their families.

Funds raised through lotteries, events, campaigns led by firefighters and individual donations are redistributed through several complementary funding streams. The foundation supports clinical and experimental research on burns, helps purchase highly specialized medical and rehabilitation equipment, finances a dedicated summer camp for children who are burn survivors, and operates an emergency and direct-assistance fund to cover essential needs, transportation, accommodation and equipment when public insurance or other schemes are insufficient.

The foundation explicitly finances research and care in the two Quebec burn expertise centres, which bring together major hospitals and rehabilitation partners in Montréal and Québec City. It channels funding to organizations such as CHUM, CHU de Québec, Villa Médica, Entraide Grands Brûlés and the Association des grands brûlés F.L.A.M. to support acute care, long-term rehabilitation and psychological follow-up. These funds help clinicians, therapists and psychologists offer state-of-the-art treatments and comprehensive support.

At the individual level, the foundation has created the Diane Lacasse Scholarships, a study grant program dedicated to people who have suffered serious burns. These scholarships aim to encourage academic perseverance at college and university levels and to support professional training or reorientation that facilitates a return to work. The site presents recent recipients and links to detailed information and application forms, demonstrating a structured and recurring scholarship program.

Through its emergency and direct-assistance fund, the foundation provides financial support to burn victims and their relatives who face temporary hardship linked to long rehabilitation periods. This may include help with basic supplies, medication, transportation and lodging near a treatment centre, or equipment that improves comfort and autonomy at home.

Beyond clinical support, the foundation invests in a summer camp for children who are burn survivors, giving them a safe environment to rebuild confidence, self-esteem and social ties without stigma. It also supports prevention and public education activities to raise awareness of burn risks and promote safe behaviours, often in collaboration with fire services and community partners.

The foundation’s primary beneficiaries are people of all ages in Quebec who have experienced severe burns, along with their families. By working through hospitals, rehabilitation centres, specialized associations and its own financial aid and scholarship programs, the foundation reaches thousands of people each year. Its model leverages the strong engagement of firefighters as ambassadors and fundraisers to sustain a diversified portfolio of grants and targeted financial interventions that span acute care, rehabilitation, psychosocial support, education and long-term reintegration.