Every dollar entrusted to Centraide improves the living conditions and quality of life of vulnerable people and families in Greater Montreal.
Each investment in our agency network is based on unique social and in-the-field expertise that Centraide has developed for more than 50 years. Centraide can therefore guarantee that your social investment is both safe and lasting.
An effective process based on Centraide’s unique social expertise
1. Collaborate
Throughout the year, Centraide’s social development counsellors maintain close relationships with Greater Montreal’s neighbourhoods and their roundtables, community agencies and other partners involved in the fight against poverty and social exclusion (e.g., schools, the health care network, the boroughs).
2. Understand and support
Constantly working on the ground with neighbourhoods gives Centraide an in-depth understanding of the needs of vulnerable individuals and families and the ability to support community agencies as effectively possible. More than a funding body, Centraide is a true partner.
Support to strengthen agencies
Through partnerships with community training resources, Centraide-supported agencies are encouraged to develop their management and leadership skills. Centraide also helps them evaluate their results.
3. Orient
Centraide produces territorial analyses and strategic plans to guide its investment choices.These tools describe the situation in each neighbourhood and propose investment options based on needs that are aligned with Centraide’s orientations:
- For young people’s present and future success
- For decent living conditions
- For inclusive communities
- For a strong and cohesive social fabric
4. Evaluate
Each agency, whether renewing its contract or receiving support for the first time, is evaluated against specific performance criteria:
- Relevance to its community.
- Action strategies to promote lasting solutions.
- Tools to measure and promote its results.
- Collective practices with other agencies in its community.
- Management practices and governance.
Invaluable citizen input about Centraide’s investments
Agency performance is evaluated by a team of volunteers in a compliance unit headed by Centraide’s social development advisors.
5. Prioritize
The annual investment scenario accounts for the territorial plans and analyses as well as agency performance. This scenario is submitted to the Social Development Investment Committee, which includes a dozen volunteers whose expertise deepens thinking about these investments and ensures that the recommendations are in line with Centraide’s priorities and orientations.
6. Invest
A final proposal is then submitted for approval to the Board of Directors. Ad-hoc investments can be made during the year depending on needs in the field and available funding.
7. Achieve results
After reaching their final destination, your donations support more than 375 community agencies and collective projects in every Greater Montreal community. These agencies are characterized by their roots in the community, their ability to innovate and collaborate with other partners, and their actions to promote individual empowerment. Overall, they help 800,000 people.