Birks Family Foundation

Mission Statement

The Birks Family Foundation is committed to realizing the best possible standard of living and quality of life for all Canadians, primarily through the support of dynamic health care and higher education, as well as cultural and welfare initiatives.

About the Birks Family Foundation

Established in 1961, the Foundation continues the Birks Family's longstanding commitment to charitable giving across Canada. The Foundation's philanthropic approach has its roots in Henry Birks and Sons, the family business established in 1879. From its inception, Birks put charitable giving at the heart of its business, mandating that a portion of each dividend payment to shareholders be given back to the communities that contributed to its success. Then, as now, the Birks Family sought to fund higher education, medical institutions, libraries, arts and the humanities, and organizations serving the underprivileged, across Canada, yet with a primary focus on Quebec.

Today, wholly independent from the Birks brand, the Birks Family Foundation, through its support of registered Canadian charities, continues to uphold long-held family traditions by principally funding:

• Organizations either primarily focused on Quebec, or those whose work is broadly national in nature;
• Public sector organizations, including universities, hospitals, libraries and museums;
• Projects that demonstrate unique innovation in their field and/or pioneer state-of-the-art technology;
• Long range projects designed to become self-sustaining; and,
• Organizations that actively engage directly with their target group through programs and/or services.

Apply

We are always looking for new and worthy causes to support. If you believe that your organization meets our criteria and are interested in applying for a grant, please e-mail the following to: Mrs. G. Carozza at secretarytreasurer@birksfamilyfoundation.ca:

• Name and mission of your organization;
• Registered Canadian charity number;
• Brief description of your project and its expected outcomes; and,
• Budget for your project, with anticipated expenses and sources of funds.

The Foundation reviews every application it receives and may require additional information. Due to the volume of requests, submissions should be made at least 6 months in advance of the need for funds.

Please note that form letters, multiple solicitations, and proposals sent by facsimile are not accepted.

We look forward to hearing from you.