Role of the Regina Assumpta College Foundation in the funding ecosystem
The Regina Assumpta College Foundation is a philanthropic organization created to support the well-being of young people connected to Collège Regina Assumpta and, plus broadly, children with disabilities in the Greater Montréal area. The Foundation emerged from the merger in 2009 of two earlier entities: a bursary foundation established in 1987 to assist students whose parents were experiencing temporary financial difficulties, and the Enfants en tête Foundation, launched in 2000 to offer free access to the college’s cultural and sports facilities for children living with disabilities.
Today, the Foundation structures its financial support around three main vocations: the Enfants en tête community program, student financial aid, and special projects at the college. Since 1987, it has invested several million dollars in these initiatives, and it regularly publishes annual reports and a multi‑year strategic plan that outline its priorities and results.
Main funding streams and beneficiaries
- Enfants en tête: this community stream finances free access for children with disabilities to the Regina Assumpta cultural and sports centre. The Foundation covers all registration fees and invests annually in adapted sports and cultural activities, as well as specialized equipment such as wheelchair fencing gear and pool access devices.
- Student financial aid: through its financial aid program, the Foundation provides direct financial assistance to college students whose parents temporarily cannot pay all educational costs. The site presents cumulative amounts disbursed and the growing number of beneficiaries, underlining the importance of this support in a difficult economic context.
- Special projects and scholarships: the Foundation funds major pedagogical and infrastructure projects that improve services for current and future students, such as the robotics and innovation centre, educational outings, cultural events, equipment purchases, and various school activities. It also administers targeted scholarships, notably the Jocelyne and Pierre Royer bursary, which can fully cover tuition and required IT equipment for a student with a disability throughout secondary studies.
General approach to evaluation and governance
The Foundation is overseen by a volunteer board of directors supported by the college administration, which helps keep administrative costs below 1% of net assets. For certain programs, particularly the Jocelyne and Pierre Royer bursary, applications are evaluated by a dedicated committee based on explicit criteria such as academic potential, financial need and the nature of the disability.
Supported audiences and overall impact
While closely linked to Collège Regina Assumpta, the Foundation has a clear community orientation. Enfants en tête extends support to children with disabilities across the Greater Montréal region, and several funded projects and facilities are open to neighbourhood residents or students from other schools. Through its combination of community programming, direct financial aid, and investment in educational projects, the Foundation plays a significant role in expanding access to quality education and inclusive activities for young people.