Giving is a must
|Interview
On the occasion of National Philanthropy Day, which coincides with the anniversary of the Luc Maurice Foundation, we met with its Managing Director Matias Duque to learn how the organization and the philanthropic community in Quebec are doing. In its 7 years of existence, the Luc Maurice Foundation has donated over $8 million to causes that share its mission of promoting the well-being and quality of life of older adults in Quebec. If giving isn’t always a reflex, it certainly will be by the end of this article!
Matias, how do you define philanthropy?
That’s a profound question. Fundamentally, philanthropy stems from “the love of humanity”, with “philos” meaning “love” and “anthropos” meaning “human”. At its heart, it’s a humanist impulse that manifests as generosity in today’s world.
If we look beyond the semantics, philanthropy is essentially about sharing our resources with those who are less fortunate, to empower them to grow. And in doing so, we collectively elevate our society. The ultimate objective, in my view, is to drive social change through wealth distribution.
Does it necessarily have to involve money?
Not at all. Philanthropy is about sharing your resources — whether financial, intellectual or material — with others. Even simple acts like buying extra groceries, cooking meals and sharing them with neighbours who are struggling count too. Every bit counts!
Donating one’s time and skills is also a form of philanthropy. For instance, a lawyer might choose to provide free legal assistance to those who can’t afford it. Philanthropy is simply an outpouring of generosity, a desire to help others who are facing a harsher reality than our own.
Is being “naturally generous” a myth? Is it an innate or acquired behaviour in your opinion?
My theory is that there are many innate behaviours. A person’s personality underlies every action. We’re born with a predisposition to be generous or stingy, introverted or extroverted, etc. We arrive on Earth with a certain genetic baggage of reflexes that are conditioned by the way our brain is created. That’s the foundation.
Additionally, there’s the aspect of acquired traits. We tend to adopt the practices we’ve been exposed to within our family, culture or social environment. If your parents are actively involved in volunteering, you’re more likely to follow suit because that’s what you’ve been taught.
How is philanthropy doing in Canada?
While there are many positive tendencies in Canada, we’re also confronted with notable challenges. Last year, 83% of taxpayers reported no charitable donations whatsoever. Furthermore, between 2017 and 2021, the province of Quebec experienced a 2.7% decline in donations.
The pandemic’s impact is still being felt, combined with the increasing cost of living, leading to financial anxiety for many. However, a silver lining is that prominent donors have risen to the challenge, resulting in fewer donations overall, but a higher total value. This is indeed a positive development.
Why, in your opinion, is philanthropy less prominent in the mindset of Quebecers?
One reason is that they perceive wealth redistribution as already being addressed through government programs. Indeed, the more a country has a robust social system, including support for the less fortunate, the less philanthropy tends to be a dominant aspect of the population’s mindset.
That’s a natural response: We already pay taxes for that. Just look at our neighbours to the south, where taxes are lower and the social safety net is limited. Philanthropy logically plays a bigger role there. It’s unthinkable to disregard human suffering; you’d need a heart of stone to do so. Across all nations, cultures and faiths, the principle of loving and giving back to others is universal. Helping one another is and will always be the key to saving the world.
What would it take to encourage people to give more?
Before blaming individuals, we need to recognize that organizations have the responsibility to solicit donors. Significant efforts must be made in fundraising. It’s not easy, but if we want the population to be more generous, organizations must take the lead in “asking” more regularly. The frequency makes a difference in the quantity of donations. However, too often, non-profit organizations lack sufficient means or internal resources to do more. That’s where the problem lies.
Furthermore, it’s essential to continue sensitizing people to human distress and the significance of contributing to a better world. We require more positive and influential leaders, such as Mr. Luc Maurice, to pave the way. His generosity has made Le Groupe Maurice the compassionate organization it is today. The Foundation owes its existence to his remarkable quality. He leads by example, and we need more individuals like him!
The Foundation has been around for 7 years now. Are you happy with what it has accomplished so far?
Yes, I’m truly proud. Is it enough? Of course not. There’s so much to do. But what’s encouraging is that we’re making progress. We’re evolving. We’re now creating our own projects, including two in conjunction with universities. That’s huge!
We’re also continuing our efforts to increase our “classic” donations. In this area, we distribute over a million dollars a year to organizations specifically chosen for their impact on society, particularly with regards to older people.
And then, thanks to our employee and residence matching donation program, we double the amounts collected during each fundraising activity for local organizations, in addition to the personal donations from employees. Participation in these two programs increases every year. It makes me really happy.
Where will the Foundation’s efforts be focused in the future?
Even though the aging population is one of the most significant social challenges, from a philanthropic standpoint, it’s one of the least supported causes. This is precisely where the Foundation’s relevance comes in: supporting projects that aim to combat ageism, a discrimination that’s still all too common in our community.
As such, the future for the Luc Maurice Foundation involves continuing its efforts to secure even more resources to provide additional support and services to the aging population.
To make this happen, we need to get people to understand that it’s crucial to take action now and persuade our partners, friends and loved ones to support the seniors’ cause. Our current and future mission is to remind the public of the vital role that older individuals play in our society. And let’s not forget that we’ll be among them before we know it!
What would you say to people who are still hesitant to give generously to a cause?
I would say to them that giving is an investment, not a cost. I would also say that not helping those in need costs us much more as a society than helping them does. For instance, considering only the homeless, by helping them get back on their feet, we strengthen the social fabric: emergency services can focus on other things, the job market benefits from people who want to work, and so on.
Similarly, when we help older adults break free from isolation, everyone benefits. By providing opportunities for socialization, community engagement and a sense of purpose, we invest in a more just society.
If those with surplus resources contributed even a small amount, we’d be in a better social spot today. The future would look brighter. What’s key is not the amount each person gives, but rather the number of people who give. Even five dollars or a few volunteer hours a month can make a difference!
What matters is that the reflex to give back is anchored in our habits. We still have a long way to go collectively. But I believe human nature is fundamentally kind, compassionate and generous – even if it’s sometimes hidden beneath layers of protection.
Thanks, Matias, for this uplifting and insightful conversation. Next Tuesday is “Giving Tuesday”, a worldwide effort to motivate people to give generously to their favourite causes. We hope the Foundation will greatly benefit from it, and that you will inspire a new generation of philanthropists!