Foundation of Greater Montreal announces its 2009 Grants

MONTREAL , Oct. 13 /CNW Telbec/ - The Foundation of Greater Montreal (FGM) today announces that more than $1.2 million has been provided to local non-profits.

The Foundation one of more than 168 community foundations across Canada , pools the funds and creates permanent income-generating endowment funds established by donors to support specific charities, their charitable fields of interest, or to entrust the Foundation of Greater Montreal to identify the community's priorities. This year's grants were disbursed to non-profits for the following sectors, impacting people's quality of life: Social Services : 45%; Arts & Culture 24%; Education 15%; Health 10%, and Environment 6%.

The FGM has demonstrated its commitment to supporting innovative and effective programs and projects that respond to the needs of those who are most vulnerable and that are active in contributing to Greater Montreal's quality of life. Examples of programs which the FGM is supporting this year are: a school bullying prevention program; access to a museum for schools in low-income neighbourhoods; supervised apartments for pregnant teens; dentistry chairs for a resource which treats marginalised youth; programs to keep kids in school or learn trades; a cooperative vegetable garden and teaching people with mental health problems nutrition, menu planning, grocery shopping, and cooking.

Presently, the FGM has 257 endowed funds for a total value of over $ 94 M, up from 210, since January 1st . "We are really proud that despite the economic downturn to be a growing foundation and to be able to provide grants to many valuable causes which people depend on. Notably, our fastest growing numbers of clients this year are non-profits, which create endowments under the hospices of the FGM. Creating an endowed fund under the umbrella of a community foundation for individuals and non-profits alike, alleviates the administrative burdens required from managing one's own incorporated foundation.", says Marina Boulos , the new President & CEO of the Foundation of Greater Montreal .

Since 2003, the FGM has distributed over $4 million to different charitable agencies in the Greater Montreal area.

The Foundation of Greater Montreal (FGM) is a non-profit charitable organisation dedicated to the well-being of the Greater Montreal community. It builds and manages permanent endowment funds and distributes the income in the form of grants to charitable organizations working in the areas of health, social services, arts and culture, education, and the environment.

For further information: Diane Bertrand, Director, Communications and Donor relations, Foundation of Greater Montréal, [phone], ext. 102, [email protected]