In 2020, it was vital that the philanthropic sector step up and contribute the best it could in responding to the urgent needs caused by COVID-19. McConnell joined the Give5 campaign and brought its spending up to 5% of the endowment. We disbursed $27 million to over 480 community organizations. This includes COVID-19 funding of […]
Learn moreFor the past four years of his leadership of McConnell, Stephen Huddart championed the creation of 12 Lessons – yearly reflections on what was learned (and unlearned) by the Foundation and partners. On the occasion of his departure, we offer nine lessons for nine years – pithy truths we have learned from Stephen about being […]
Learn moreA quiet evening with a good book, or heading out for a walk while listening to a new podcast — these moments have lifted our spirits or offered some respite throughout the past year. With 2021 on the horizon, we’ve asked McConnell staff to share the cultural inspirations that have helped them process unprecedented challenges […]
Learn moreStephen Huddart joined the McConnell Foundation as a Senior Program Officer in 2003 and the Board named him President and CEO in 2011. Stephen is now retiring, and the Foundation is grateful for his leadership, vision and fundamental kindness. We know he will continue to inspire others and contribute generously in his post-McConnell future. During […]
Learn moreIt is exciting and a little daunting to join and lead an organization as innovative and impactful as the McConnell Foundation. It is a foundation that always challenged me in a very positive and constructive way as President and Executive Director of Centraide du Grand Montréal. I am honoured to have the opportunity to build […]
Learn moreThe Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Lili-Anna Perea will be the new President and CEO of the McConnell Foundation, succeeding Stephen Huddart, effective November 16, 2020. Ms. Perea is currently the President and Executive Director of Centraide of Greater Montreal, where she has worked since December 2012. For 25 years prior to […]
Learn moreLike many others, the McConnell team has been navigating inordinate amounts of information since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis. Week to week, this informal reading digest captures some of the themes that are top of mind for Foundation staff and shares the resources that we’ve come across as we collectively respond to, and learn […]
Learn moreIn September, The Philanthropist and the McConnell Foundation co-published a new book called Social Innovation in Canada: Reflections on Past, Present and Future Directions. It explores the possibilities, opportunities and challenges that the social innovation movement has faced and will continue to face in support of transformative systems change in Canada. The book includes insights […]
Learn moreFunding announcements – Food Rx Fund Food Rx: COVID-19 Patient Food Security Fund, from the Nourish initiative, will provide targeted funding over the next three months so that health care organizations can increase their capacity to meet the needs of their patients for whom the pandemic has created, or is exacerbating, food insecurity. […]
Learn moreThe systemic racism against Black and Indigenous communities and people of colour (BIPOC) has taken on renewed significance for everyone working at the Foundation since the senseless deaths of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Chantel Moore in New Brunswick, and so many others. These tragic incidents are representative of a brutal history and centuries of injustice […]
Learn more