Endowment / Foundation

Updated:

Fonds d'action québécois pour le développement durable

Founded in 2000, the Fonds d'action québécois pour le développement durable emerged as a non-profit grantmaker designed to accelerate sustainable...

Fonds d'action québécois pour le développement durable

Founded in 2000, the Fonds d'action québécois pour le développement durable emerged as a non-profit grantmaker designed to accelerate sustainable practices across Quebec. Director General Nicolas Girard oversees operations, while board president Vincent Moreau — who also leads the Fonds Climat du Grand Montréal — shapes strategic direction alongside vice-president Emmanuelle Géhin of RECYC-QUÉBEC. Its funding base draws on partnerships with institutions including Fondaction, Hydro-Québec, and Mouvement Desjardins. FAQDD deploys capital through targeted grant programs rather than equity investments. Its flagship vehicles include Fonds Écoleader, which funds decarbonization projects at SMEs, Action-Climat Québec for community climate mobilization, and Écoemballage+ for circular economy packaging initiatives. A sixth project call under the PSREE program (Programme de soutien à la recherche en environnement) allocated over C$3 million in early 2024, while PRPAS directed nearly C$3.2 million to quality-of-life improvements for Quebec citizens. The organization concentrates exclusively on Quebec-based projects and organizations. The organization operates from a single office in Quebec City with an estimated asset base in the low single-digit millions (Altss estimate). FAQDD functions as both funder and network hub, maintaining ties with the CIRODD interdisciplinary research center, the Collectivités ZéN net-zero communities network, and the RNCREQ regional environmental councils. In 2024, long-serving board member Michel Brutti completed a decade of service. FAQDD's structure as a non-profit grantmaker — not a family office or traditional asset manager — distinguishes it from peers that focus on portfolio returns. Its capital comes from institutional partners and government programs, not a founding family's wealth. The organization measures success through project count and behavioral adoption metrics rather than IRR, making it an unusual entry in institutional allocation databases.

General information

Firm type

Endowment / Foundation

Year founded

2000

AUM

Sub-$10M (Altss estimate)

Location

Region

North America

Country

Canada

City

Quebec

Corporate office

125, boul. Charest Est, bureau 305, Québec, Québec, Canada

Principals

Nicolas Girard

Directeur général

Vincent Moreau

Président du conseil d'administration

Emmanuelle Géhin

Vice-présidente du conseil d'administration

Sector focus

ClimateTechEnergy Transition & RenewablesAgriTech & FoodTechEducation

Frequently asked questions

How does FAQDD deploy capital?

FAQDD operates as a grantmaking non-profit, not an equity investor. It allocates funds through themed programs such as Fonds Écoleader, which targets SME decarbonization, and Action-Climat Québec for community mobilization. In 2024, the PSREE program distributed over C$3 million to environmental research in a single project call, with similar sums channeled through PRPAS for citizen quality-of-life initiatives. The organization takes no equity stakes in recipients.

Where does FAQDD's funding come from?

The organization draws capital from a consortium of Quebec institutions and government bodies. Confirmed partners include labor-sponsored fund Fondaction, which co-created the Fonds d'investissement en développement durable, along with Hydro-Québec and Mouvement Desjardins. These entities sponsor specific programs and events, such as the Sommet jeunesse sur les changements climatiques.

Who makes allocation decisions at FAQDD?

Director General Nicolas Girard manages day-to-day operations and program execution. The board of directors, chaired by Vincent Moreau — who concurrently leads the Fonds Climat du Grand Montréal — sets strategic priorities. Vice-president Emmanuelle Géhin contributes operational perspective as CEO of RECYC-QUÉBEC, Quebec's recycling agency.

Does FAQDD make direct equity investments or fund commitments?

No. FAQDD is a grantmaking organization, not an institutional allocator. It does not take equity positions, commit to venture or private equity funds, or seek financial returns on its deployed capital. The Fonds d'investissement en développement durable, co-founded with Fondaction, represents a separate vehicle with distinct investment objectives.

What investment stages or sectors does FAQDD cover?

FAQDD funds projects across the circular economy, climate mobilization, biodiversity, and SME decarbonization — all within Quebec. Its programs support early-stage community initiatives, applied research, and operational improvements at existing businesses, rather than growth equity. Recent activity includes biodiversity-focused enterprise support and packaging-reduction pilot programs.

Profile maintained by using OSINT (open-source intelligence), regulatory filings, licensed data partners, and verified direct submissions. Read the methodology. Last updated: . Continuous refresh with full update cycles at least every 30 days.

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