From City Hall to Philanthropic Powerhouse: Luc Rabouin to Lead FGM

MONTRÉAL, QC – January 09, 2026 – Luc Rabouin, a prominent figure in Montreal's municipal politics and recent mayoral candidate, has been appointed the next President and CEO of the Foundation of Greater Montréal (FGM). The move signals a pivotal new direction for one of Canada’s largest community foundations, pairing a seasoned public administrator with a philanthropic giant at a key moment in its history. Rabouin will officially assume his duties on January 19.

The appointment comes as FGM concludes its 25th-anniversary celebrations, marking a quarter-century of significant community impact. Rabouin transitions from the political arena, where he served as Mayor of the Plateau-Mont-Royal borough and Chair of the City of Montréal's Executive Committee, to the leadership of a foundation with deep financial roots and ambitious social goals.

"I am thrilled to become a part of the Foundation of Greater Montréal's team," Rabouin stated. "FGM is an outstanding organization and a philanthropic leader in Montreal, but also across Quebec and Canada. Through its commitments towards responsible and impact investing or trust-based philanthropy, for example, the Foundation promotes deeply-held values that are also mine. I cannot wait to get to work and pursue my commitment to build a fairer, greener and more inclusive city!"

A New Chapter for a Philanthropic Giant

Luc Rabouin takes the helm of an institution with considerable influence. The Foundation of Greater Montréal is the largest community foundation in Quebec and ranks as the sixth largest in Canada, managing a formidable asset base of over half a billion dollars distributed across 800 distinct philanthropic funds. Its financial performance has been robust; in 2024 alone, FGM achieved a 16.1% gross rate of return and distributed over $17 million to more than 500 organizations and community initiatives. Since its founding in 2000, the foundation has channeled over $200 million into the Greater Montreal community.

Karen Macdonald, FGM's Chair of the Board of Directors, emphasized the significance of this leadership change. "As FGM winds up celebrations marking its 25th anniversary, Luc's arrival marks an important milestone. His leadership--rooted in empathy, collaboration, and deep listening--aligns closely with the Foundation's vision and the role it seeks to play in the Greater Montréal community. We are delighted to welcome him to the team," she said.

The organization’s core mission is to act as a catalyst for community development, gathering and managing philanthropic funds to address the region's most pressing needs. It serves as a bridge, connecting donors to causes and fostering creative, sustainable solutions to complex social and environmental issues.

From Public Office to Community Impact

Rabouin's career path provides a unique blend of on-the-ground community development and high-level public administration. Before entering politics, he held leadership roles in organizations central to Montreal's social economy, including the Centre d'écologie urbaine de Montréal and the Caisse d'économie solidaire Desjardins, a financial institution dedicated to social and responsible investment.

His political career saw him rise to prominence within the Projet Montréal party. As Mayor of the Plateau-Mont-Royal borough from 2019, he championed policies focused on ecological transition, including expanding green spaces, enhancing bike path networks, and implementing a participatory budget for citizen-led environmental projects. His work was characterized by a focus on social housing and support for local, independent businesses.

His influence grew when he was appointed to the City of Montréal's Executive Committee, eventually becoming its Chair. In this role, he was responsible for the city's finances and economic development under Mayor Valérie Plante, gaining an intimate understanding of the city's complex operational and budgetary challenges. After an unsuccessful bid for Mayor of Montreal in the 2025 municipal election, his transition to FGM is seen as a logical next step, allowing him to apply his deep knowledge of urban issues in a new, impactful context.

Aligning Vision with Progressive Philanthropy

Rabouin's personal commitment to a "fairer, greener, and more inclusive city" directly mirrors the strategic direction FGM has been carving out. The foundation has increasingly positioned itself at the forefront of progressive philanthropic trends, moving beyond traditional grantmaking to tackle systemic issues.

Two pillars of this strategy are responsible investing and trust-based philanthropy. FGM has committed to integrating Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria across its entire investment portfolio, recognizing that financial assets should align with its mission. Furthermore, it is exploring a deeper commitment to impact investing, with plans to allocate up to 5% of its assets over five years to investments that generate measurable social or environmental benefits alongside a financial return.

Simultaneously, the foundation has embraced a trust-based philanthropic model. This approach seeks to shift power dynamics by providing multi-year, unrestricted funding to grantee organizations, simplifying application processes, and fostering collaborative relationships built on mutual respect. It is a direct response to calls from community organizations for funders to be more flexible, responsive, and less burdensome, allowing them to focus on their core missions. Rabouin's leadership, described by Macdonald as rooted in "empathy, collaboration, and deep listening," is seen as a perfect match for this people-first philosophy.

FGM's focus on systemic change is further evident in its dedicated funds, including the Collective Fund for Social Equity, the Fund to Support Indigenous Initiatives, and the Collective Fund for Climate and Ecological Transition. Rabouin's experience tackling the housing crisis, promoting ecological initiatives, and working within community economic development makes him uniquely qualified to guide these efforts.

During the leadership transition, Marie Andrée Farmer served as Interim President and CEO. "I would like to extend my sincere thanks to Marie Andrée Farmer, who has served as Interim President and CEO over the past few months," Macdonald added. "Her leadership ensured stability and continuity during this transition, and she will work hand in hand with Luc to start FGM's next chapter with a strong and committed team."

With a seasoned and pragmatic leader at the helm who understands both the intricacies of municipal governance and the grassroots needs of the community, the Foundation of Greater Montréal is poised to amplify its impact, leveraging its substantial financial power to build a more resilient and equitable future for the city.