Role of the Saint-Louis-Maillet Foundation in the funding ecosystem
The Saint-Louis-Maillet Foundation (FSLM) is a non-profit charitable foundation created to support the Université de Moncton, Edmundston campus (UMCE) and its students. Since 1993, it has distributed more than $1.9 million in scholarships to learners enrolled at the campus, thanks to the contributions of individuals, community groups and institutional partners from the Edmundston region and beyond.
The foundation’s primary objective is to provide financial support to students so they can pursue university studies with greater peace of mind. It administers numerous endowed scholarship funds, many created in honour of donors, community organizations or prominent individuals. Each fund has its own attribution criteria and generates recurring bursaries for students across disciplines such as arts and letters, health sciences, business administration and other UMCE programs.
Funding instruments and main types of support
FSLM’s funding activity is structured around two main axes. First, it manages a large portfolio of scholarship funds. Investment income from these funds is used to create new scholarships or enhance existing ones, with detailed records of annual recipients published by fund. Second, the foundation operates a program to finance strategic projects on campus, helping to strengthen teaching quality and resources for the university community.
Strategic project support can include improvements to the library, acquisition of laboratory equipment and integration of new information and communication technologies. In this way, the foundation not only assists individual students but also contributes to the long-term development of the Edmundston campus and its infrastructure.
Donor engagement and recognition
The foundation offers several ways to contribute: direct donations or in memoriam gifts, participation in fundraising events (such as the "bien-cuit" roast, golf tournament, lobster dinner and other activities), the creation of named scholarship funds, and planned gifts such as bequests or life insurance policies. Investment income generated from these contributions is dedicated to scholarships and strategic projects.
According to its recognition policy, FSLM publicly acknowledges donors by displaying their names on a recognition board in the main pavilion of UMCE and through notices in local media. A special annual cocktail evening highlights donors and celebrates the recipients of tens of thousands of dollars in scholarships each year.
Beneficiaries, governance and impact
Bursaries are targeted at students registered full time at the Université de Moncton, Edmundston campus, often with criteria related to academic performance, field of study, community involvement or geographical origin. The foundation emphasizes the transition from local high schools to university and supports experiential learning projects that bring theory and practice closer together.
FSLM is governed by a volunteer board of directors composed of community members, campus representatives and student representatives, with executive roles such as president, vice-president, treasurer and secretary. Registered as a charity, the foundation is accountable for the management of its endowed funds and the fair allocation of scholarships. Through sustained fundraising and careful stewardship, it plays a central role in helping francophone youth in northwestern New Brunswick access and succeed in higher education.