Concordia's Centraide Campaign exceeds its goal and raises $201,711 and counting

Regardless of bleak world events and economic realities, members of the Concordia community have once again showed their unselfishness and resolve to help the city’s most vulnerable. The university’s 2023 Centraide Campaign surpassed its $200,000 goal and has raised $201,711 — and counting.

Donations can still be made to the 2023 campaign until December 31.

Annie Gérin, dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts and campaign co-chair, announced the total at the campaign’s closing event at the SHIFT Centre for Social Transformation in the J.W. McConnell Building on November 29. About 40 others, including Concordia President Graham Carr, joined Gérin at the celebration.

“Concordia has held another successful Centraide campaign, which underscores the generosity of our community and its dedication to making Montreal a better place for everyone,” Carr said to those at the event.

“As we were reminded this year: one in five Montrealers directly receive support from Centraide-funded organizations. But, in reality, five in five Montrealers benefit from the results; that is, a safer, more equitable and more just community, with more opportunities for everyone to reach their full potential.”

“Many Montrealers are facing countless struggles in the current economy,” Gérin pointed out. “Unfortunately, some members of our own Concordia family are among those who fight to take care of their essentials, including food and shelter, as well as deal with social isolation and other difficulties.”

She thanked 25 members of the Centraide Campaign Committee and Leaders co-chairs and her co-chair, Philippe Beauregard, chief communications officer. Gérin also acknowledged the internal partners, which include university unions and sectors: CUFA, ACUMAE, CUPFA, University Advancement, University Communication Services, Human Resources, Hospitality Concordia, IITS and distribution.

She also recognized the valued help of the Centraide of Greater Montreal team, Côme Bardi, Valérie Viel and Louise Crawford. 

Finally, Gérin thanked Katie O’Keefe, alumni engagement officer at University Advancement, who managed the Concordia campaign, and Johanne Pelletier, director of public engagement at University Communications Services.

Gérin reported the results as of November 29:

• 52 Leader donors — those who gave $1,200 or more — including seven new Leaders
• 395 total donors, compared to 383 in 2022
• Total raised: $201,711.48
• With the additional funds from the Défi Centraide, which will match Leaders who increased their donation by 10 per cent or more, the total impact for Centraide: $203,015.61

Pets and other fundraisers

A number of events and initiatives once again helped raise funds for the campaign, including bake sales, pasta lunches, Mount Royal nature walks, potlucks, raffle tickets, Bingo and Comedy for a Cause.

Most popular of all was the second annual Centraide Pet Photo Contest. Sixty-five cats and dogs were nominated, and more than 1,600 votes were cast, raising over $2,280 for Centraide.

The top three vote-getters, Cookie, Luna and Top Model, each earned a Mondou gift card.

The event included a raffle prize draw, with two Apple iPads as the top prizes.

“Your generosity and volunteerism are invaluable to us,” Gérin said to the volunteers and donors.

“I’m proud to see how our community rallies to support Centraide’s mission. And beyond that, I want to thank all of you who helped out with the campaign in any way for your time and commitment. It’s truly appreciated — by thousands of Montrealers!”

Concordia’s Centraide Campaign 2023 accepts donations until December 31:

• English form
• French form

Learn more about Concordia’s 2023 Centraide Campaign.

Or send an email to centraide@concordia.ca.