The 2026 National Philanthropy Day Gala will be held on November 11 at Le Windsor Ballrooms, in Montreal.
TICKETS ARE SOLD OUT. THE EVENT IS FULL. THANK YOU!
On November 11, AFP Québec invites you to celebrate National Philanthropy Day at its 2026 NPD Gala under the theme An Essential Link in Building Strong Communities.
For fundraising professionals, donors, and nonprofit leaders alike, it is these connections—woven year after year by generous donors, dedicated volunteers, and passionate professionals—that make Québec a more resilient and compassionate society.
Strong communities are built on solid foundations: the people who give, the causes that inspire action, and the communities that persevere. Beyond charitable giving, philanthropy fosters a way of relating to others—through solidarity, responsibility, compassion, and commitment.
To mark this special occasion, AFP Québec will present its prestigious Excellence in Philanthropy Awards, recognizing the outstanding leadership and community impact of exceptional individuals, corporations, and organizations.
The evening will bring together Québec’s philanthropic community for a celebration of excellence, networking, and recognition, as award recipients are honoured in the following categories:
- Outstanding Major Donor
- Outstanding Corporate Major Donor
- Outstanding Volunteer in Philanthropy
- Outstanding Corporate Citizen (fewer than 500 employees)
- Outstanding Corporate Citizen (500 or more employees)
- Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy
- Rising Star of AFP Quebec
- Outstanding Career in Philanthropy
Wednesday, November 11, 2026
5:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.: Cocktail reception and Partner Showcase
6:30 p.m.: Three-course dinner and Awards Ceremony
9:00 p.m.: Networking (Cocktail Lounge)
Rate *
Regular rate 2026 (from September 19, 2026) *
Table of 10: $2,300
Member: $215
Non-member: $250
* plus applicable taxes
Location
Le Windsor Ballrooms
1170 Peel Street, Montreal, QC H3A 1S5
REGISTER (FULL)
Since 1986, National Philanthropy Day has been observed on November 15, with celebrations held annually by more than one hundred AFP chapters across North America.
Join us as we celebrate the essential contributions of those whose generosity and philanthropic leadership strengthen communities throughout Québec.
2026 Recipients
Lisa and Giusuppe Racanelli Foundation
Nominated by: Le Phare, the HEC Montréal Foundation, the CHU Sainte-Justine Foundation, the Montreal Children’s Hospital Foundation, the Cité de la santé Foundation, Centre Philou, the Lise Watier Foundation and the Montreal Sacré-Cœur Hospital Foundation.
Created in 2022, the Lise and Giuseppe Racanelli Foundation quickly carved out its place as a major philanthropic player. Driven by its deep desire to give back to society, it supports structuring initiatives in health, mental health, pediatrics, education and entrepreneurship, with a particular focus on innovative projects with an enduring impact.
Through its engagement, the Foundation has made major contributions to many organizations: $20 million to HEC Montréal; core support for CHU Sainte-Justine’s IMAGINE Centre; the Montreal Children’s Hospital’s project for the future of Inuit youth; Habitat Philou; and Le Phare’s Lantern: Racanelli Grief and Bereavement Center. These commitments have served to advance research, improve care and support, and bring transformative projects to life.
This is a unique brand of recognition, with several organizations joining together to present this nomination—a testament to the Foundation’s far-reaching engagement in the community.
Through its generosity, vision and desire to invest in enduring solutions, the Lisa and Giuseppe Racanelli Foundation has proven that philanthropy can be a powerful tool for collective transformation.
Blackburn Athletics
Nominated by the Fondation du Centre jeunesse de la Montérégie
Founded by Jerry Blackburn in 2017, Blackburn Athletics now brings together a community of nine gyms rooted in the belief that physical activity can be a true driver of personal growth, confidence and change. This conviction is also reflected in its philanthropic commitment to vulnerable youth.
Since 2017, the Blackburn Athletics Fund has given Foundation-supported youth access to sports activities, equipment and day camps. Through its annual golf tournament, sports competitions and community mobilization, Blackburn Athletics has helped to support over 5200 youth. And this year, it will achieve an incredible milestone—$1 million donated to children since the Fund’s inception.
Through its engagement, Blackburn Athletics is proving the power of sports as a tool for solidarity, inclusion and development among youth.
Les Producteurs de lait du Québec
Nominated by Food Banks of Quebec.
For over 40 years, Les Producteurs de lait du Québec has helped to grow an industry engaged in communities, driven by its values of solidarity and collaboration through a collective impact approach.
Since 2003, its milk and dairy product donation program, launched in collaboration with several sector partners, has supplied over 20 million litres of milk to the Food Banks of Quebec network. In 2026, the PLQ, in partnership with Quebec’s milk transporters and processors, achieved a new milestone with record donation promises of 2 million litres, providing essential nutritional products to people facing food insecurity across the province.
Through their ability to mobilize an industry and use their know-how to help communities, the PLQ is proving the power of collective and enduring engagement.
Jean-Gilles Gadoury
Nominated by Enfant Soleil.
At only 21 years of age, Jean-Gilles embodies the next generation of inspiring philanthropists. Having battled leukemia as a child, he chose to turn this experience into a powerful force for solidarity. For over 10 years, he has put his energy, creativity and talents to work for Enfant Soleil, supporting sick children and their families.
In 2021, when he was only 16, he founded Deuxième Vie, a charitable videogame marathon on Twitch, becoming Quebec’s biggest philanthropic streaming event on this platform. Through his capacity to mobilize content creators and digital communities, the event saw phenomenal growth: raising $20,000 in 2021, it went on to reach $200,000 in 2025. The last edition brought together over 80 personalities from the Quebec web.
With his leadership, determination and dedication to making a difference, Jean-Gilles has proven that philanthropy transcends age and that one person’s engagement can inspire an entire generation to mobilize around a cause.
Julie Decker-Willer, Director of Marketing and Communications, The Kidney Foundation – Quebec Branch
Nominated by the Quebec Branch of The Kidney Foundation.
Hailing from the events industry, Julie decided to steer her career towards philanthropy after kidney disease hit close to home. Today, as Director of Marketing and Communications with The Kidney Foundation, she is throwing her creativity, strategic vision and mobilizing capacity behind a cause she cares deeply about.
Julie is actively contributing to the Foundation’s visibility and growth through Kidney Walks, the Kidney Car Program, fundraising campaigns and initiatives to raise awareness. In 2025, she played a key role in the annual campaign that raised 40% more than the previous year.
Thanks to her leadership, rigour and constant strive to innovate and learn, Julie embodies the promise and engagement of the next generation, which is already evolving philanthropy in Quebec.
