The Intact Foundation is an integral part of our commitment to the communities in which we live and work. Through the Foundation we demonstrate our commitments to respect the environment and its finite resources, to make our communities healthier and happier and to encourage the involvement and citizenship of all our employees. The Foundation funds endeavours that foster vibrant Canadian communities by encouraging independence and strength-of-mind among youth at-risk. We are also supporting communities in preparing for long-lasting changes in weather patterns by funding organizations that focus on climate change adaptation,
Over the past few years the Foundation has donated approximately $2 million per year to charities and organizations that have helped make Intact's communities a better place to live.
Safe and Vibrant Communities - Addressing the needs of At-Risk Youth
The Foundation funds many endeavours that aim to encourage independence and address the needs of youth at-risk. It will consider providing community investments to organizations, programs, or projects that:
• Foster resilience, prevention and independence • Build self-esteem and develop personal skills• Redirect inappropriate lifestyles or behaviours• Assist with pre-employment training• Develop values and enhance the quality of life through positive recreation experiences and opportunities
For instance, we contribute to an ever expanding network of shelters in large urban areas. We have provided funds to organizations such as Covenant House in Toronto and Vancouver, Raido House in Calgary, and Eva’s Initiatives in Toronto. These organizations provide homeless youth with a range of services, including a place to stay, counselling and vocational support.
We also support front line agencies that offer day programs to at-risk youth such as Spectre de rue, a community-based organization in downtown Montreal, Maison Dauphine in Quebec City and Fort Whyte in Winnipeg.
Along with supporting local charities in many communities where we live and work, we provide funding to leading national charities and projects within our social vision.
We are a lead partner for the Youthworks initiative at Raising the Roof – Chez Toit, Canada’s national homelessness charity. This innovative initiative aims to break the cycle of homelessness among young Canadians and support them to build a better future. Since publishing its unique study in 2009, Youth Homeless in Canada: the Road to Solutions, Raising the roof has embarked on Phase II of Youthworks. Intact will be supporting Raising the Roof in its goal to engage Canadians in pursuit of lasting solutions to youth homelessness. This will be achieved through creating replicable employment, mentorship and skills training opportunities for at risk and homeless youth across Canada and facilitating partnerships between the private sector and community agencies.
Climate Change Adaptation
Climate change is one of the most significant issues facing our communities. Intact has recognized the need for Canadians to gain a better understanding of and to adapt to the new realities brought on by climate change. As well, we recognize the benefits of protecting and preserving our environment.
The Intact Foundation will consider providing community investments to organizations, programs, or projects that aim to:
• Help preserve natural areas • Create and sustain dynamic outdoor space• Undertake collective action on climate change, clean air and sustainable energy • Focus on increasing urban forests • Encourage tree planting and neighbourhood greening projectsIn that spirit, Intact Financial Corporation and the University of Waterloo are conducting an innovative research project that will identify the most appropriate initiatives and action plans that governments, businesses and civil society could undertake to better adapt to the potential impacts and consequences of climate change on Canada's ecological systems, its social fabric and the economy. This research project, The Climate Change Adaptation Project: Canada, is lead by the School of Environment, Enterprise and Development (SEED), based at Waterloo University’s faculty of environment.
Our foundation also contributes financially to organizations which strive to enhance the development of our communities. The main beneficiaries are the thousands of agencies supported by the various United Way campaigns where our employees live. Thanks to the generosity of our employees across the country, and the matching donation from our Foundation, over $1 million was donated last year to local United Ways.
One of the most esteemed programs that we support is Youth in Motion's Top 20 Under 20. Launched in 2004 with the help of the Foundation, this national program celebrates and rewards inspirational leadership and achievement of 20 young Canadians under the age of 20, every year.
We also support and recognize employee citizenship through our Employee Giving Program and our Community Heroes profiles. We encourage employees to actively participate in their communities, including through volunteering.