Miriam Foundation Celebrates 50 Years of Support

November 14, 2024 —

Miriam Foundation Celebrates 50 Years of Support, Raising $600,000 and Launching the Tony Meti Endowment Fund for Neurodiverse Individuals

 

Last Thursday, November 7th, the Miriam Foundation celebrated its 50^th anniversary with an extraordinary fundraising event in Montreal, marking an historic milestone in its mission to support individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and intellectual disabilities (ID), at all stages of life.  As the leading Quebec organization dedicated to funding comprehensive and personalized services for neurodiverse individuals, as well as their families and loved ones, it was important to celebrate this achievement with its community of past and current board members, donors, clients, and supporters. Thanks to the incredible generosity of donors, sponsors, and community leaders, the Foundation raised over $600,000 since it launched the campaign earlier this year. This remarkable accomplishment underscores the organizations’ commitment to provide life-changing support and ensure that it meets the growing demand for services.

 

The anniversary event, which brought together over 350 people, also served as the official launch of the Tony Meti Endowment Fund for Neurodiverse Individuals. This ambitious campaign, aimed at building a $50 million endowment by 2029, was named in honor of past board chairman Tony Meti, whose innovative leadership and business acumen, as well as his steadfast support of Miriam and its clients, pushed the organization to innovate in recent years. Through this endowment, the Foundation will expand Miriam’s programs and services, ensuring the continuity of subsidized services for the next 50 years.

 

“We were deeply moved by the generosity and dedication shown by our supporters last night. We’ve already secured an initial $1.5 million for the Fund”, said Warren Greenstone, President and CEO of Miriam. “The creation of the Tony Meti Endowment Fund marks a bold step forward for the Foundation and reinforces our long-term commitment to this population. With this endowment fund, we hope to provide vital resources, programs, and support for many years to come. This is one more step of many we have been taking over the last 50 years toward a more inclusive future for all.”

 

The five-year campaign, running from 2024 to 2029, will focus on securing financial resources that will empower Miriam to expand its services, develop new programs, and offer ongoing support to families. The establishment of this $50 million endowment fund reflects the organizations’ forward-thinking approach to sustainability and long-term care for those with ASD and ID.

 

The Foundation plays a crucial role in Miriam’s ecosystem by raising funds to provide specialized services and programs at a reduced cost to increase accessibility for more individuals; maintaining infrastructure and supporting the acquisition of equipment; as well as funding research and innovation that enables its experts to offer cutting-edge and personalized services.

 

The campaign was a big success, due largely to the support of its sponsors: Lotus International Inc, Groupe Vo-Dignard Provost / Financière Banque Nationale, The Beat 92.5, Rythme 105,7, Irwin & Rhona Kramer, Karine Joncas, Gustav Levinschi Foundation, Peter & Franki Yanofsky, BloombergSen Investment Partners, Fondation Mi Corazon,  Marcelle and Jean Coutu Foundation, Howard & Vivian Stotland, KPMG LLP, McKinsey & Company, Olymbec, Baker Tilly Montréal, Boscus Canada Inc, Emballages Mercato, Maison Principale, TRAMS Mgmt, Morris and Rosalind Goodman Family Foundation, and many more.

 

Since its inception in 1973, the Miriam Foundation has raised and invested over $75 million and helped more than 8,000 individuals with ASD and ID, along with their families and loved ones. The funds raised during the campaign will be allocated to Miriam’s Gold Learning and Research Center, training activities with partners, and MateriaTech, a unique resource bank offering nearly 5,000 tools and educational materials designed to stimulate development.

 

About the Miriam Foundation

Founded in 1973, the Miriam Foundation is dedicated to fundraising for the creation and maintenance of innovative clinical, recreational, and educational intervention programs offered at the Gold Learning and Research Centre and affiliated organizations. The Miriam Foundation firmly believes that every individual has the right to a stimulating environment, family support, a social network, recreational activities, and healthcare tailored to their specific needs. Ultimately, the goal is to ensure that everyone who comes to the Gold Learning and Research Centre grows and reaches their full potential.