This text is part of the special Philanthropy section
Inspired by the Compagnie des Cent-Associés, which brought together Samuel de Champlain, Cardinal Richelieu and many other influential people almost 400 years ago, Laval University is picking up the thread of the Story. By committing to donate – today or tomorrow – a million dollars or more through the Cent-Associés program, donors have a unique opportunity to offer a legacy and a valuable message to future generations.
At the dawn of French colonization in America, a hundred shareholders (merchants and aristocrats in particular) supported the development vision of the colony by advancing the sum of 3,000 French pounds. “This great initiative was a source of inspiration and we revisited it to apply it to the field of philanthropy,” explains Marc Deschênes, senior director of major and planned gifts at the Fondation de l’Université Laval.
Using the cost of a mug of beer as the unit of measure, it was estimated that the 3,000 French pounds of these pioneers of 1627 today amounted to the equivalent of about $ 1 million. A beautiful symbolically strong number for an action that is no less so.
Transmission between generations
The names of the 41 philanthropists who already participate in the Cent-Associés program now illuminate the Université Laval campus. “The promenade, which stretches from east to west in the center of the campus, expresses our gratitude to our donors,” emphasizes Marc Deschênes. It is adorned with lights – there will be 50 in total – each bearing the names of two contributors.
Near the promenade, the commemorative work 2367, the collective odyssey creates a 350-year bridge between the 100 program members and future generations. Philanthropists who will participate in the program are invited to explain their gesture, their vision and their thinking by writing a testimonial. These messages of hope for future generations will be sealed and kept in a time capsule at the heart of the commemorative work, to be disclosed in 2367. “We have gathered fabulous testimonies,” says the director.
Give back to her alma mater
The program offers four flagship funds aimed at supporting the implementation of development projects for education, research and creation. “Some donors have chosen these funds that we offer, but they may also prefer another destination for their donations,” explains Marc Deschênes. Among the most supported causes are health and medical research, administration, management and entrepreneurship as well as languages, culture and society. “Giving to Université Laval allows us to contribute to multiple causes given the variety of subjects we deal with, which range from music to science and medicine, including social sciences, and so on. Our first contacts with our donors allow us to understand their motivations and interests and to offer them a wide range of possibilities, ”explains Caroline Girard, Vice-President of Development and Partnerships at the University Foundation.
Among the 41 first donors, many are former students of Laval University. “Two values are very important to them: attachment to their alma mater and the pride of being part of Laval University, ”says Mr. Deschênes. Those who have not studied there are touched by the important role of this university in Quebec over time.
A philanthropic coach
Yvon Charest is one of the first new generation Cent-Associés. For the former president and CEO of iA Financial Group, giving scholarships to students to enable them to go to university is the best way to pay it forward. “Like many francophones from the middle class my age, I was brought up without a car. My dad was able to afford one when he finished paying off his mortgage at age 60. Education fees in Quebec, minimal at that time, are still very low, but not everyone can pay them, ”observes the one who obtained his bachelor’s degree in actuarial science at Laval University in 1979.“ C ‘ It is thanks to Laval University that actuarial science is so important in Quebec. I acquired a solid training there. It allowed me to have an exciting career which made me very happy, ”says Mr. Charest.
For the philanthropist who would like to thank his former university, it is important to fight against individualism and inequality and to make people think. “We often forget our chance to be healthy and in Quebec and that, if we are successful, it is because people have helped us during these more difficult times that we all go through at one time or another. When we think about our career, we have to realize that there have been people who have been important to us. This is why it is time to be less individualistic and to give back to society, ”says Yvon Charest. One who is very active with several humanitarian organizations believes that formulas suggesting an amount of contribution to donors are effective in soliciting this gesture, especially since “philanthropic organizations work miracles with the money given to them” .
The Université Laval Foundation also takes care to inform its donors of the impact of their donation. The first members of the Cent-Associés contributed a lot in the form of planned donations (sometimes by also associating a donation during their lifetime). A formula that can materialize over time by will or by life insurance, regardless of the budget.
“Beyond the prestigious Cent-Associés program, there are many opportunities available to embrace the cause of higher education. Even with a relatively modest donation, we are able to make a difference for a student, ”emphasizes Marc Deschênes, referring to the Pérennia program, which also makes it possible to give to Université Laval in the form of planned donations. A very accessible gesture that gives words a transgenerational meaning phílos (friend) and ánthrôpos (man), roots of philanthropy.