National involvement
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Desjardins Group makes its mark through considerable involvement in the communities it serves through philanthropic partnerships, sponsorships, scholarships and support to major projects. This support is primarily provided through the caisses' Community Development Funds.
Desjardins Foundation encourages the academic success of a large number of young people from all regions of Quebec and Ontario by awarding scholarships and prizes and financing projects supporting academic perseverance.
For a local or regional project initiative, contact your caisse or go to the caisse website.
Desjardins is actively involved in the community, and especially with young people. We’re helping them with their education and their entrepreneurial, social engagement and healthy living initiatives.
We’re also committed to projects that promote culture and economic development.
Education
We support organizations that promote student life and financial education, encourage young people to stay in school and help them access higher education.
Some of our partnerships: Fondation de l’Université de Sherbrooke, Fondation de l’Université du Québec à Rimouski, University of Ottawa, HEC Montréal, Fondation du Collège André-Grasset.
Employment and entrepreneurship
We’re involved in initiatives that help people find their first part-time or full-time job and encourage entrepreneurship and business start-ups.
Some of our partnerships: OSEntreprendre and Place aux jeunes en région.
Humanitarian work and community involvement
We take part in initiatives that promote social engagement, whether community-based, humanitarian or environmental.
Some of our partnerships: Operation Red Nose, Forces AVENIR, Pride at Work, David Suzuki Foundation, YMCA of Greater Toronto, Centraide/United Way, Appui pour les proches aidants.
Health and healthy lifestyles
We support health and healthy lifestyles by funding programs that promote physical activity, healthy eating and the physical and mental well-being of individuals and communities.
Some of our partnerships: Le Grand défi Pierre-Lavoie, Opération Enfant Soleil, Fondation du CHU de Québec, CHU Sainte-Justine Foundation, Jeux du Québec, Canadian Cancer Society, Heart and Stroke Foundation.
Culture
We take part in the organization of cultural events to get young people involved in artistic activities, to groom new and upcoming artists and to promote creativity.
Some of our partnerships: Francos de Montréal, Festival d’été de Québec, Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec, Cirque Éloize, Grand Montréal Comédie Fest, Place des arts of Sudbury.
Economic development
We support projects that enhance and maintain our leadership in the socio-economic development of communities.
Some of our partnerships: Conseil québécois des entreprises adaptées, Regroupement des Jeunes chambres de commerce du Québec, Aéroports de Montréal, Ontario Cooperation Council.
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Desjardins was built through the regions and, as such, has implemented measures to support their development.
To contribute to the development and growth of communities, Desjardins Group created a $100 million development fund to support key regional projects in entrepreneurship, business development, and economic and social innovation.
Regional Deconcentration Policy
Desjardins Group's vast distribution network and decentralized regional operations have a direct impact on the vitality of the communities we serve. In 2001, Desjardins adopted a Deconcentration Policy for activities carried out by the Fédération des caisses Desjardins du Québec and its components in non-urban regions.
The purpose of this policy is in part to ensure that due consideration is given to the possibility of decentralizing activities initially planned for large urban centres. This decentralization policy resulted in the client care centres in Trois-Rivières, Gaspé, Granby and Rimouski, leading to the creation of hundreds of jobs. It also prompted Desjardins to create regional administrative operations centres rather than concentrating all operations in one urban centre.
Our components also contribute to maintaining high-quality jobs in many Canadian regions, a third of which are in Ontario, Alberta and New Brunswick.
Over the years, Desjardins developed various strategic, philanthropic and charitable partnerships. Through these partnerships, Desjardins stands out as a leader in the sustainable development of communities.
Desjardins intervenes in many areas that reflect its finance and insurance sectors as well as its cooperative ties to the communities. Desjardins partners with many associations, organizations and institutions that drive our collective vitality.
Desjardins' actions are also in line with municipal, provincial and federal governments to improve the leveraging effect of our measures and actions.