The experience of flexible funding at Projet impact collectif. A conversation about the benefits, challenges, and future of less restrictive philanthropic practices.
Introduction
In a context where philanthropic practices are evolving and less restrictive funding practices are gaining visibility, we invite you to explore the flexible funding experience of the Projet impact collectif (PIC). Launched more than 10 years ago, the PIC now supports collective initiatives in 31 Montreal neighborhoods through a partnership between philanthropic, institutional, and community organizations.
The webinar aims to spark a conversation between funders, community stakeholders, and researchers in order to better understand the benefits, challenges, and impacts of less restrictive funding practices. Based on a research report resulting from a collaboration between the PIC, TIESS, and PhiLab, several speakers will contribute to the discussion, allowing for a cross-pollination of perspectives and deeper reflection on flexible funding based on the PIC’s experience.
List of speakers
Introduction
Elisabeth Robinot (Co-director of PhiLab, UQAM)
Présentation
Isabel Heck (PIC/Centraide, PhiLab, CRISES)
Panélistes
Gabriel Salathé-Beaulieu (TIESS)
Michelle LeDonne (Pathy Foundation, Philanthropic Foundations Canada)
Salwa Ben Belgacem (Table de quartier de Parc-Extension)
Learn more about the speakers
Élisabeth Robinot: Élisabeth is a full professor in the Marketing Department at ESG UQAM. In 2018, she co-founded the Observatoire de la philanthropie with Professor Léo Trespeuch (EGUQTR). Since June 2024, she has co-directed PhiLab alongside Adam Saifer (UBC). Her work focuses on giving practices and their new formats, as well as the transformational dynamics of partnerships between foundations and businesses. She is particularly interested in contemporary social and environmental issues, convinced that grant-making foundations have an essential role to play in the current ecological transition.
Isabel Heck: Isabel is responsible for knowledge and learning at Centraide of Greater Montreal’s Projet impact collectif (PIC) and is an associate professor at UQAM. She combines action research and practice to strengthen strategic learning and co-construction between various actors and communities in order to support collective action and systemic change. She is involved in various action research initiatives in Quebec and internationally to promote diversity of knowledge and strengthen bridges between knowledge mobilization and transformative action.
Gabriel Salathé-Beaulieu: Gabriel has been working as a transfer advisor for Territoires innovants en économie sociale et solidaire (TIESS) since 2016 on topics related to evaluation, impact measurement, and social innovation in social-purpose organizations.
Michelle LeDonne: Michelle has been Executive Director of the Pathy Family Foundation (PFF) since July 2023, where she previously served as Program Officer and was responsible for collaborations with funders and partner organizations in Montreal. Before joining PFF in 2019, Michelle spent more than ten years fundraising and developing strategies and programs for a national nonprofit organization and several community organizations working in the areas of homelessness prevention and relief, health equity, and the empowerment of youth and 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.
Salwa Ben Belgacem : Salwa has been working in community development and project management for several years. After starting out in France with a major urban renewal project, she gained solid expertise in partner coordination and citizen mobilization. Today, she heads the Parc-Extension Neighborhood Roundtable, where she works with residents, organizations, and institutions to improve the quality of life in the neighborhood.