iA Financial Group has announced the winners of its ninth annual philanthropic contest, awarding $100,000 each to La Maison de la Famille de Val-d’Or in Quebec, Fred Victor Centre in Ontario, Free Play for Kids Inc. in Alberta, and Greener Village in New Brunswick.
The funding will support projects aimed at improving food security in local communities, reflecting iA Financial Group’s commitment to social impact beyond its core insurance operations.
The initiative demonstrated how iA Financial Group leverages its position as a national insurance and financial services provider to support Canadians beyond traditional coverage, linking its business purpose to broader social impact. By funding programs that address food insecurity, iA helps communities reduce economic and social vulnerability, aligning with the company’s commitment to protecting clients’ wellbeing in both financial and non-financial ways.
La Maison de la Famille de Val-d’Or will use the funds to enhance its “Santé que c’est bon dans le bedon” program, providing weekly cooking workshops and community cooking days for families facing economic or social vulnerability, including immigrants and isolated individuals. Fred Victor Centre will expand its provision of three meals daily in emergency shelters, serving up to 1,500 people in winter, while linking residents to health and social support. Free Play for Kids Inc. will continue its Food to Play program, offering daily healthy snacks, workshops, and food hampers to over 700 students in Edmonton, promoting food literacy, healthy habits, and inclusion. Greener Village will launch Thrive, a perishable-food-recovery centre that transforms at-risk fresh food into frozen products for distribution across New Brunswick’s food-bank network.
In addition to the grand prizes, eight other finalists across the country will receive $10,000 each, while iA employees selected four of their favorite organizations to receive an additional $5,000 apiece. The contest drew hundreds of submissions and aimed to address both immediate food needs and long-term solutions, including community growing projects, nutrition education, and food recovery initiatives.
Denis Ricard, president and CEO of iA Financial Group, said the contest demonstrates how the company supports Canadians both through its insurance products and community initiatives, highlighting the importance of corporate responsibility in improving social wellbeing. The contest also aligns with iA Financial Group’s sustainability strategy, which integrates environmental, social, and governance factors to contribute to the long-term wellbeing of clients, employees, partners, investors, and communities.
By linking its philanthropic efforts to community health and food security, iA Financial Group reinforces its broader mission of supporting Canadians in building resilience and improving quality of life, complementing its role as a provider of insurance and financial services.
