Founded in 1966, Centraide of Greater Montreal (Centraide) aims to improve the quality of life in the Greater Montreal area by supporting vulnerable people including children, the elderly, the poor, and newcomers to Canada. In F2018, Centraide provided $42.8 million in grants to over 350 local charities. These charities provide programming that aligns with Centraide’s mission and are grouped according to program focus: supporting youth, providing basic needs, helping the socially isolated, and bringing communities together.

In F2018, the ten charities receiving the largest grants from Centraide received 10% of total funds distributed. The largest grant recipient was YMCAs of Quebec with $1.4 million in funding, followed by YWCA of Montreal with $382k, and Bureau de Consultation Jeunesse (Youth Advisory Bureau) with $367k.

Centraide of Greater Montreal allocated 31% of grants to charities focused on supporting youth. Centraide supports nearly 163 charities with programs that focus on ensuring young children are prepared to start kindergarten and encouraging teens to graduate high school.

In F2018, charities working to help socially isolated people received 25% of grants. These programs work with people who struggle with mental illness or disabilities, are new to Canada, have strained family relationships, or may have reduced mobility due to aging. Charities work to help clients make friends and live safely. In response to the Quebec City mosque shooting in January 2017, Centraide has committed to allocating $3.5 million over the next five years to promote inclusion. The money will be used by nine charities to fight discrimination and bullying by teaching children about openness and equality.

Charities working to bring communities together received 22% of grants in F2018. Almost 160 charities work with citizens to best address community needs. In the region of Pointe-Saint-Charles, a neighbourhood group helped start a bus route so that people could better access grocery stores.

Centraide of Greater Montreal allocated 16% of grants to charities providing basic needs such as housing, food, and clothing. It is estimated that 200,000 people in Montreal cannot afford the amount of nutritious food that their families need. Centraide-supported charities start community gardens, provide meals for less than $2, and teach people how to budget.

The final 6% of grants, totaling $1.6 million, were designated as part of the Collective Impact Project Fund. The Collective Impact Project involves 17 neighbourhoods collaborating to address issues related to poverty and social exclusion. The project’s impact will be tracked, aiming to maximize impact through collaboration.

Results and Impact: Toujours Ensemble (Always Together) received $275k in funding from Centraide. Tourjours reports that 93% of students supported in its programs graduate from high school and continue their education. Centraide also funds charities that support students in the community of Verdun where the high school graduation rate has increased from 55% to 75% over the last ten years. Centraide reports that the broader graduation rate in Montreal has increased from 68% in 2009 to 78% in 2015. Every student that graduates high school contributes $184k more to society throughout their lifetime.

Centraide of Greater Montreal is one of Canada's Major 100 charities with total donations of $57.3m in F2018. Administrative costs are 7% of revenue and fundraising costs are 7% of donations. For every $1 donated, 86 cents go to the cause which falls well within Ci’s reasonable range for overhead spending. Centraide has $41.7m in funding reserves, of which $3.5m is donor-endowed. Excluding donor-endowed funds, Centaide could provide grants at the F2018 level for almost ten months using funding reserves. This indicates a need for funding.

This charity report is an update that has been sent to Centraide of Greater Montreal for review. Changes and edits may be forthcoming.

Updated on August 17, 2018 by Madison Kerr.