Grant and Funding Programs Offered by Société des alcools du Québec (SAQ)
Overview of Available Grants and Funding
The Société des alcools du Québec (SAQ) is Québec’s public alcohol retailer and a Crown corporation that operates a structured donations and sponsorships program. Each year it invests several million dollars in organizations and events across Québec, focusing on food aid, culture, and the wine and spirits industry. View Société des alcools du Québec (SAQ)'s website for more information.
Content last updated: March 9, 2026
About Société des alcools du Québec (SAQ)
What is the mission of Société des alcools du Québec (SAQ)?
The Société des alcools du Québec seeks to leverage its commercial presence to generate social and economic benefits across Québec by supporting food aid, cultural life and the wine and spirits industry through structured donations, sponsorships and product contributions.
What type of organization is Société des alcools du Québec (SAQ)?
Société des alcools du Québec (SAQ) is a Crown corporation.
What is Société des alcools du Québec (SAQ)'s official website?
Société des alcools du Québec (SAQ)'s official website is https://www.saq.com.
What else should I know about Société des alcools du Québec (SAQ)?
Role of the Société des alcools du Québec in the funding ecosystem
The Société des alcools du Québec (SAQ) is a Québec Crown corporation responsible for the retail sale of alcoholic beverages in the province. Beyond its commercial mandate, it runs an important donations and sponsorships program that channels several million dollars per year to organizations and events across Québec. Its support combines financial contributions and in-kind product donations, including wine and spirits offered for fundraising activities and festivals.
The SAQ’s giving strategy is structured around three main pillars: food aid, culture (including festivals and cultural institutions), and the wine and spirits industry. Through this portfolio, the SAQ positions itself as a key partner for non-profit organizations, public institutions and event promoters whose initiatives benefit Québec communities.
Main funding themes and types of support
- Food aid: The SAQ has made food aid its flagship corporate cause. It is a long-standing partner of Banques alimentaires du Québec and supports related organizations such as regional Moissons, La Tablée des Chefs and the Club des petits déjeuners. Support may include major annual financial contributions and donations of products linked to benefit events.
- Culture and festivals: Across the province, the SAQ sponsors a wide range of events, from major festivals (e.g. Festival International de Jazz de Montréal, Francos de Montréal, Carnaval de Québec) to emerging events such as the Festif de Baie-Saint-Paul or Festival Santa Teresa. It also backs numerous cultural organizations such as museums, orchestras, theatres and dance companies, often via product donations for fundraising.
- Wine and spirits industry: In line with its mission, the SAQ supports professional and promotional initiatives in the wine and spirits sector. Examples mentioned include scholarships for sommelier competitions, support for the Institut de tourisme et d’hôtellerie du Québec, the Lauriers de la gastronomie québécoise, and regional wine fairs and major tasting events.
- Sustainable development and circular economy: Through its sponsorships and the Fonds d’initiatives locales, the SAQ finances projects tied to glass recycling and reuse, urban agriculture and local quality-of-life initiatives in neighbourhoods where its facilities are located.
General eligibility and application process
The SAQ formalizes its intervention through a Politique de dons et commandites that defines eligible themes, general criteria and exclusions. Organizations must operate within one of the supported niches, be based in Québec, serve a Québec clientele of legal drinking age, and hold appropriate non-profit or public organization status. They are expected to demonstrate sound governance, provide financial information on request and adopt environmentally responsible practices.
Applications are submitted through an online portal dedicated to donations and sponsorships. The policy sets out important deadlines, for example a 1 December cut-off date for many cultural and industry events held between 1 April and 31 March, and minimum lead times (typically around 90 days) for other activities. Each request is analyzed in light of SAQ priorities and budget availability; meeting all criteria does not guarantee funding.
Beneficiaries and impact
According to the provided information, the SAQ supports more than 125 organizations and events annually, for a total commitment exceeding $3.5 million. Iconic examples include large-scale cultural festivals, regional wine fairs and numerous community initiatives in food security and sustainable development. Through its network of SAQ bistros at festivals, the corporation supplies products free of charge so that 100% of bistro sales revenues go back to the hosting events, reinforcing their financial viability and programming quality.
Overall, the SAQ’s donations and sponsorships program makes it a significant institutional funder in Québec’s cultural, social and agri-food ecosystems, using both its financial resources and its product offering to generate social and economic benefits.