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Frequently asked questions
What is Centraide's role in the community?
To improve the living conditions of thousands of needy people in
the Greater Montreal area by supporting community-based agencies
and projects which meet the social needs expressed by the community.
To help people in distress regain control over their lives and become
active members of the community again.
To canvass the people of Greater Montreal for donations by means
of a vast fundraising campaign in order to finance community-based
agencies and projects.
Why go through Centraide when I can give
directly to an agency?
Because Centraide provides the best solutions to the problems in
our community. Volunteers, agency representatives and other partners
from every part of the community come together at Centraide in order
to help us find these solutions.
Donations to Centraide are used to meet many different needs. By
making a single donation to Centraide, you are supporting a wide
range of worthy causes.
Thanks to its vast network of donors and volunteers, Centraide benefits
from economies of scale. This enables us to raise a lot of money
for the community while keeping our campaign costs to a minimum.
If each agency were required to organize its own campaign, it would
have less time and fewer resources to devote to helping people.
At Centraide, competent volunteers, supported by a team of consultants,
analyse social needs and identify the agencies and projects which
meet those needs most effectively. Just imagine if you had to do
all that by yourself before making your donation.
How much money goes to the agencies?
A full 88 cents out of every dollar raised during the campaign goes
to the agencies in the form of direct grants, or services such as
social research and analysis, support to agencies and follow-up.
Does Centraide ensure that its funded agencies
operate properly?
The agencies we fund are subject to rigorous selection and evaluation
criteria. Centraide consultants and volunteers monitor our funded
agencies and visit them regularly to ensure they are being managed
properly, that their services respond effectively to the needs of
the community, and that they continue to meet our evaluation criteria.
Not all community agencies receive Centraide
funding. Why not?
Any agency can apply to Centraide for support. But in order for
the agency to be awarded a grant, its work must be in line with
our mission and our strategies. The number of agencies and projects
Centraide can afford to support depends on the amount of money it
raises during its annual campaign. Some agencies don't apply to
Centraide for funding.
If the campaign raises more money, will
campaign expenses go up?
Campaign and administration expenses remain stable over the years
and are kept as low as possible. This is achievable thanks to the
various contributions made to Centraide (loaned representatives,
volunteer work, donations through payroll deduction at employers'
expense, the donation of advertising space, etc.). Last year, campaign
and administration expenses accounted for only 12% of Centraide's
campaign revenues.
Why is it that Centraide raises more and
more money, but poverty persists?
Eradicating poverty takes a lot of time, money, effort, resources
and mobilization. Centraide strives to create the necessary conditions
to eradicate poverty, and works in cooperation with its supported
agencies to lessen the effects of poverty on a great number of people
while helping to make their communities better places to live.
Is it possible to volunteer at Centraide?
Yes, it is. Centraide of Greater Montreal exists to serve the community.
It operates on the basis of volunteer participation. Volunteering
is what drives Centraide's board of directors, its fundraising campaign,
its allocations process and its network of community-based agencies.
Does Centraide help developing countries?
No. The agencies we support all work within the territory we serve,
which encompasses the Island of Montreal, Laval and certain communities
on the South Shore.
Does Centraide solicit donations in the
form of goods, such as furniture and clothing?
We solicit only financial donations. However, many agencies are
happy to receive goods they can give to the people they help (food,
clothing, etc.) or that they can use themselves (computers, office
furniture, etc.)
To make a donation in the form of goods, please provide us with
the necessary information (material, quantities, pick up or delivery,
address, person to call, etc.) to direct you to an agency that can
use your donation.
communications@centraide-mtl.org
What does Centraide do outside the campaign
period?
Our campaign is a vast operation which requires a tremendous amount
of work and year-long preparation. The process of allocating funds
to the agencies and monitoring their operations goes on all year
long as well. The same applies to our administrative activities.
Do you have any other questions?
If so, contact us:
communications@centraide-mtl.org
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