Role of the Monique and Jocelyne Lamoureux Foundation in the funding ecosystem
The Monique and Jocelyne Lamoureux Foundation is a charitable foundation established by Olympic gold medallists Monique and Jocelyne Lamoureux to "level the playing field" for children from disadvantaged communities. Recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) organization, it provides grants and financial support to educational and extracurricular initiatives, with a strong geographic focus on North Dakota and the surrounding region.
The foundation directs its funding to concrete needs that help kids fully participate in school and community life. Examples highlighted on the site include grants to offset school lunch program costs so that all children receive hot lunches, to cover internet access for families whose children attend virtual schooling, and to supply essential-need items for students across public schools. The foundation has also funded programs that provide meals to families in need during the COVID‑19 pandemic and supported access to feminine hygiene products in school bathrooms.
Funding themes and target audiences
The organization’s funding is centered on children and youth, especially those facing economic hardship. Priority areas evidenced on the site include:
- Educational support, including school lunch programs and essential supplies.
- Digital inclusion, such as covering connectivity costs so children can access virtual learning.
- Basic needs and food security for students and their families.
- Support for extracurricular and athletic opportunities aligned with the Lamoureux Twins’ values.
Although the website does not present a formal open-call application process, it clearly positions the foundation as a grantmaking entity that channels donor contributions into local nonprofits, school foundations, and programs serving disadvantaged children.
Supported audiences and impact
The foundation primarily works through partnerships with school foundations and public school systems, including the Grand Forks Foundation for Education and the Fargo Public School Foundation. Through these collaborations, it seeks to ensure that no child is left behind because of their family’s financial situation, whether in terms of meals, connectivity, or access to essential items and activities.
By combining their public platform as elite athletes with targeted financial support, Monique and Jocelyne Lamoureux use the foundation to advocate for equity and opportunity in their home community. Donors are invited to contribute to sustain and expand these grant programs for disadvantaged youth.