Grant and Funding Programs Offered by University Women’s Club of Montreal Public Foundation
Overview of Available Grants and Funding
The University Women’s Club of Montreal Public Foundation is the charitable arm of the UWCM in Montréal. Created in 1985, it raises and manages funds to award scholarships, bursaries and fellowships to women pursuing post-secondary education and to support selected community charities advancing women and girls’ rights and education. View University Women’s Club of Montreal Public Foundation's website for more information.
Content last updated: March 24, 2026
About University Women’s Club of Montreal Public Foundation
What is the mission of University Women’s Club of Montreal Public Foundation?
The Foundation’s purpose is to mobilize charitable donations to advance women’s post-secondary education and to strengthen organizations that promote the rights, safety and empowerment of women and girls, primarily in Montréal. It does so by awarding scholarships, bursaries and targeted community grants.
What type of organization is University Women’s Club of Montreal Public Foundation?
University Women’s Club of Montreal Public Foundation is a Foundation.
When was University Women’s Club of Montreal Public Foundation founded?
University Women’s Club of Montreal Public Foundation was founded in 1985-04-15.
What is University Women’s Club of Montreal Public Foundation's official website?
University Women’s Club of Montreal Public Foundation's official website is https://uwcm.com/.
What else should I know about University Women’s Club of Montreal Public Foundation?
The University Women’s Club of Montreal Public Foundation is the charitable and fundraising instrument of the University Women’s Club of Montreal (UWCM). Established on 15 April 1985, the Foundation exists to receive donations, issue charitable tax receipts and channel these funds into scholarships, bursaries and fellowships that advance the post-secondary education of women, as well as grants to community organizations whose missions align with the UWCM’s objectives.
Role in the funding ecosystem
The Foundation focuses on financial support for women and girls in education and on community services that improve their safety, well-being and access to opportunities. It funds:
- Educational bursaries and scholarships for mature female students and women in university and college programs, including institution-based bursaries where partner institutions select recipients in the Foundation’s name.
- Named memorial awards such as the Betsy Barber Memorial Award for a woman in Concordia University’s MBA program, and the Anne-Marie Trahan Memorial Fund, which provides an annual bursary to a deserving female student.
- Community outreach grants to registered charities in Montréal, including women’s shelters, libraries, community centres and organizations serving vulnerable women and families.
- Scholarships through competitions such as the Olympes de la Parole school competition, where prize-winning teams receive scholarships in recognition of their work on gender equality and human rights themes.
Funding mechanisms and target groups
The Foundation operates primarily as a discretionary funder with structured partnerships. Bursaries are often made available through universities and colleges, which manage the selection process according to criteria set with the Foundation, focusing on mature women resuming or continuing education. In addition, specific memorial funds support women in defined fields of study.
On the community side, the Foundation annually supports a roster of charities such as shelters for women experiencing violence, organizations assisting homeless women, and literacy or children’s library initiatives. This portfolio is reviewed regularly by the trustees to ensure alignment with the UWCM’s mission of gender equality, education and social justice.
Governance and accountability
The Public Foundation is overseen by appointed trustees who are UWCM members in good standing. They meet regularly to review strategy, manage investments, and decide on the allocation of funds raised each fiscal year. The wider Club governance model emphasizes accountability, outcome-based interventions and alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Agenda and ESG criteria for portfolio management.
Financial reports are available on request, and the organization follows Canada Revenue Agency directives for the disbursement of charitable funds. The UWCM also conducts periodic internal assessments and external financial audits to ensure transparent and effective use of donations.
Funding sources and campaigns
The Foundation’s main income comes from an Annual Giving Campaign that runs from October to June, supported by UWCM members and external donors. Over the years, it has also organized fundraising events such as theatre nights, museum tours, auctions and special cultural evenings, though some in-person activities were suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic. All monetary donations of $25 or more receive an official tax receipt.
Beneficiaries and impact
Students at Concordia University, Dawson College, and École Polytechnique Montréal have benefited from Foundation bursaries, and scholarship stories are shared through the “Voices of scholarship recipients” page. Community organizations working with women and girls across Montréal receive annual support, reinforcing services that address homelessness, violence against women, poverty and access to educational resources.
Through this mix of scholarships, bursaries, awards and community grants, the University Women’s Club of Montreal Public Foundation plays a specialized role in advancing women’s education and empowerment in Montréal and beyond.