Fighting poverty
and social exclusion
About Centraide of Greater Montreal
Centraide of Greater Montreal is a philanthropic organization that was founded in 1974 out of a desire to create an effective collective fundraising tool in Greater Montreal to support community agencies, which are key actors in the fight against poverty and social exclusion.
Being in a situation of poverty means…
not having the resources to meet your essential needs like housing, food, clothing, and transportation. It generally means having to live one day at a time and always worrying about the future. It means experiencing constant stress and, in many cases, facing social isolation.
Experiencing social exclusion means…
being left out or marginalized because of a specific trait (sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, ethnic or cultural origin, or a similar characteristic) or due to a specific situation (poverty, job loss, family trauma, mental health problem, complex immigration pathway, or other circumstance that trigger a series of hardships).
For 50 years, Centraide has been uniting philanthropic, institutional, social and community partners to improve the living conditions of people in various situations of vulnerability all while investing in social innovation.
In 2024-2025, Centraide invested $70.2 million in 375 agencies in the community to support their operations or involvement in collective projects and to strengthen their skills and leadership. These agencies help 800,000 people every year in Laval, in Montreal and on the South Shore, a territory that is home to over half of all Quebeckers in a situation of poverty.
Vision
For all people to live in dignity in communities where they can reach their full potential.
Mission
Taking action together for an inclusive Greater Montreal without poverty.
Directions
- Ignite Social Change: Centraide aims to drive positive change and influence public policy in order to address critical social issues.
- Be the partner of choice: Centraide aims to be more than a collaborator by building strong and lasting relationships with its allies.
- Strive for organizational excellence: Centraide is dedicated to cultivating a thriving, inclusive workplace where people grow and innovate while continuously optimizing our practices to ensure excellence.
Our Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI)
Centraide is committed to ensuring that everyone can fully participate in society. We recognize and value what makes each person unique: ethnic background, gender, sexual orientation, age, beliefs, disability, or any other distinguishing characteristic.
Equity, diversity, and inclusion are at the heart of our values. They foster respect, a sense of belonging, collaboration, and allow everyone to reach their full potential.
Our EDI approach is based on concrete actions that build trust and strengthen connections with disadvantaged groups or populations, while continuously improving our practices.
Do you know Centraide of Greater Montreal?
Centraide of Greater Montreal employees share their organization’s history with you. From its origins to the major social projects Centraide has implemented over the past five decades, this video gives you a better understanding of the history and mission of a philanthropic organization that has contributed to Greater Montreal’s social development.
©Résonance Créative, ©Obed Dejean and ©Jean-Marc Abela
