This text is part of the special Philanthropy section
Philanthropy is not just a matter of money, it also involves volunteering and simple giving of oneself. And it can be learned! In Quebec and elsewhere in the world, there are even school training courses to equip oneself in this field.
Claude Lestage, who has worked in the field for two decades, is a senior consultant at Global Philanthropic Canada. This organization of management and development consultants supports charities in their philanthropic structure (implementation of programs, organization of annual fundraising campaigns, social involvement, etc.). The man promotes whenever he has the opportunity the virtues advocated by his company: according to him, we must improve the philanthropic reflex in our society.
“We understood that philanthropy is a factor in staff retention,” he explains. For example, if two garages offer the same service, and one of the two announces that it will donate part of its profits to a particular organization, the employees will support it more thanks to its philanthropic values and its impact on the community. community. »
General training
In this vein, Mr. Lestage has designed a college certification in philanthropic management and social impact, which is spread over 75 hours. It is made up of around ten modules delivered virtually and newly offered for the moment in two institutions, Cégep Garneau, in Quebec, and Cégep Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu.
These courses provide a knowledge base related to philanthropic action, whether you want to make a career out of it or refine a part of a business or association. Professors teach the history of philanthropy, its role, its different incarnations (collective, entrepreneurial), the legal framework, governance, leadership, financial and human resources management, sponsorships, strategies, ethics , data analysis, marketing, etc. Even the notion of artificial intelligence, now essential, is addressed. And support for the initiative is very favorable, maintains Mr. Lestage.
“The enthusiasm is incredible. There is a professionalization of philanthropy, and people want to obtain a certain qualification. We need competent personnel in organizations. Donors want to generate more and more impact with their contributions. Our audience is therefore really large, and the fact that it is taught on the Web allows for greater accessibility. »
A stimulated succession
Historically, the very principle of philanthropy is less popular with French speakers than English speakers, notes the consultant. And this reality is reflected in training. In Quebec, in addition to a few college and university institutions, it is mainly private companies that offer schools of this type. Some Canadian, American and European universities also tend to exploit the vein.
And the next generation responds “present”, rejoices Mr. Lestage, who himself works with his 28-year-old daughter. He sees a keen interest in philanthropy among the younger generation.
“I see they are so involved! There are more and more young donors and young professionals who will take out life insurance for the benefit of an organization, for example, or advocate volunteering. It’s clear that there will be a succession, and there are growing needs in terms of philanthropy. »
What’s more, highly publicized projects, such as foundations headed by popular personalities (Véronique Cloutier, Martin Matte, Charles Lafortune and Sophie Prégent, Laurent Duvernay-Tardif and others), create positive repercussions, he observes. “It is certain that he y has a cause and effect relationship. There are people who would not necessarily be inclined towards philanthropy. For me, it starts, for example, from volunteering as a child. We look at our parents, we get involved as volunteers, we see the needs, then we get involved ourselves financially… Some people don’t have these habits. We must develop the philanthropic reflex,” he reiterates.
“A philanthropist is someone who does a deliberate act with a social and community impact. We often hear that philanthropists are limited to giving money and that you have to be rich. It’s the case. But it also means giving your time, yourself, helping a neighbor, etc. It may be utopian, but the more philanthropists there are, the more philanthropy there will be and the better off we will be! » concludes Mr. Lestage.
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