At the heart of community development
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Then and now, Desjardins Group's focus has always been to enrich the lives of people and communities through the caisses' local actions.
Caisses contribute to local vitality by:
- financing projects for individual or group entrepreneurs
- providing financial support to projects and organizations through the Community Development Funds
- making donations and sponsorships
- promoting inclusion and financial education
- engaging in conversations on local issues
- providing a presence in areas where population density is low
With strong roots in the community, the caisses are able to help members with their major life projects. Through participatory governance, members can allot part of their dividends to the creation of a Community Development Fund and participate in determining its orientations and selection criteria. The caisses distribute $30 to $40 million to help us achieve our collective dreams.
Desjardins Group strongly believes in people's capacity to manage their personal finances soundly and carry out their entrepreneurial projects successfully. This is why it is the only financial institution in Quebec to offer solidarity-based products.
These financing products come with close guidance provided by local organizations.
Here are the solidarity-based products offered by Desjardins :
Desjardins Mutual Assistance Funds
Working to help people in financial difficulty by offering budget management advisory services and, if needed, a "tide-over" loan.
Learn more - Desjardins Mutual Assistance FundsDesjardins Microcredit to Businesses
Community credit geared to individuals or groups who are excluded from traditional credit networks.
Learn more - Desjardins Microcredit to BusinessesCRÉAVENIR
A program that finances young people who do not qualify for traditional financing by way of interest-free loans or grants.
Learn more - CréavenirIn November 2016, Guy Cormier, President and CEO of Desjardins Group, announced the creation of a development fund of $100 million over 3 years for Quebec and Ontario. Rooted in Desjardins Group’s mission to enrich the lives of individuals and communities, the fund is yet another means of contributing to it.
Thanks to the fund, Desjardins caisses can use their position as socio-economic leaders in our regions to kick start innovative initiatives with a positive impact and growth-generating projects. The projects can be a varied as support for entrepreneurship, business development, or economic and social innovation.
It is the caisses, who best know their communities and their needs, who will select the projects to get support from the $100 million development fund. For more information, feel free to contact your Desjardins caisse.