The issue
Community organising in Milton Parc plays an important role in mobilizing, educating the public, and leading projects around social issues, such as ecology, food autonomy, participatory democracy, the right to housing, the future of unused spaces such as the Hôtel-Dieu Hospital and Chez Gauthier former restaurant, and the social and solidarity economy. Since the pandemic, many local citizen initiatives have been created, such as a tenants' union (SLAM), urban gardens and a peri-urban farm, the cooperative bar-bistro Bar Milton Parc, the Milton Parc food bank, Notman Gardens, a youth worker co-op (CIEC Milton Parc), the citizen movement À nous le Plateau, and the network of Montreal-wide citizen mobilizations Prenons la Ville.
However, inconsistent funding is a major limitation for solidarity citizen initiatives. Grant applications are unreliable and, when they do arrive, are temporary and project-based which makes it difficult to focus on our mission. Currently, many of our community groups are running out of money and might disappear!
A new, reliable source of revenue would be a game-changer for our community, ensuring groups can continue to focus on their mission without constantly worrying about where their next grant will come from.
Inspiration
There are several models of members’ regular contributions to be inspired by.
Across the labour, student, and charity movements, the basic principle is communities of members give recurring contributions, which allows large amounts of funds automatically to be raised from hundreds or thousands of people.
Next steps for the community fund
Over the summer of 2026, we are consulting the community and potential donors, building out the administrative structure and governance of the fund and recruiting members (donors). We hope to allocate our first batch of funding at an inaugural Annual General Meeting in the fall.
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Labour movement
In the labour movement, workers pay union dues which finances the union and associated worker-led initiatives. This has also built labour funds (like Fonds de Solidarité FTQ and the CSN’s Fondaction) which have developed into major investment funds. -
Student movement
In the student movement, a fee-levy system (as part of student fees) funds student unions and student-led initiatives; for example, at Concordia University, a fee-levy of around $20 per student per semester raises a total of almost $1 million every semester, and funds the student union and around 20 other student-led initiatives in activism, environment, food sovereignty, the arts, media, and even developing student housing with UTILE. -
Charitable sector
Charities are also crowdfunded through committed donors, of which monthly donors are vital in ensuring a stable source of funding.
How it works
Collectively funded
The Lucia Kowaluk Foundation raises money through monthly donations from individuals and organizations. Everyone is free to contribute the amount of their choosing.
By mobilizing a large group of people through recurring donations, even small contributions can create a significant collective fund.
Examples:
- 40 people donating $30 per month → $14,440 per year
- 100 people donating $50 per month → $60,000 per year
Collectively managed
Every monthly donor becomes a member of the community fund, regardless of the size of their contribution.
Members have the right to vote on how funds are allocated. General assemblies allow members to present projects, discuss priorities, and collectively decide how resources are distributed.
Members also participate in defining the governance structure and electing board members.
Collective benefits
Funds will support multiple organizations and initiatives, creating a broad collective impact throughout Milton-Parc.
Possible themes of action include:
- Citizen mobilisation and education
- Housing justice
- Decolonisation
- Food sovereignty
- Environmental action
- The solidarity economy
- Citizen democracy
We want to hear from you! Fill out this survey to tell us how you feel about the project and which issues matter most to you.
Become a memberEducation and collective action
The Foundation's charitable purpose is to promote and support social justice, environment, democracy, and the social solidarity economy.
Through research, public education, community partnerships, and collective action, the Foundation continues Lucia Kowaluk's commitment to democratic participation and social transformation.
Support this work
Your donation helps fund education, community initiatives, and collective action in Lucia Kowaluk's name.
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