Fondation En Coeur

What Fondation En Coeur does

Fondation En Coeur is a Quebec-based non-profit foundation, established in 1984, that supports children with congenital heart disease (CHD) and their families. Operating with approximately 10 employees from Montreal, the foundation serves roughly 365 affected families annually out of an estimated 900 new CHD families per year in Quebec, funding pediatric cardiology care, family support services, and related research. Its service model combines direct family assistance, hospital partnerships, and knowledge-products such as the Global CHD Care Compass, alongside a planned mobile pediatric clinic initiative.

The foundation's revenue model is diversified across individual donations, planned giving, corporate sponsorships, co-branded merchandise (caps with CIELE, tote bags with Poches & Fils, socks with Robin des bas, hoodies, beanies), and three flagship fundraising events — Soirée En Cœur, 6H En Cœur, and Sutton En Cœur — each targeting distinct donor segments in Quebec's business and philanthropic community. Corporate partners include Desjardins, Sun Life, Boralex, and CIMA+, among others, providing multi-sector underwriting of the foundation's programs.

Governance has been refreshed with new board appointees such as Maurice Rinaldi, coinciding with the foundation's 40th anniversary in 2024 and the loss of co-founder Dr. André Davignon. The combination of legacy institutional knowledge, recurring flagship events, expanding merchandise partnerships, and an emerging knowledge-product line (Global CHD Care Compass) and service extension (mobile pediatric clinic) positions the foundation for continued measured expansion of both mission scope and fundraising capacity.

Name

Fondation En Coeur

Legal name

Fondation En Coeur

Website

https://en-coeur.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Fondation En Coeur is a Quebec non-profit foundation, founded in 1984, that supports children with congenital heart disease and their families through direct assistance, hospital partnerships, fundraising events, donations, and co-branded merchandise, serving roughly 365 families annually.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Non-profit pediatric cardiac family support services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (624110), Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Health Care and Social Assistance (62)

SIC

Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth Mental Health, Counseling & Wellbeing (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAK)

Keywords

• Congenital heart disease support
• Family financial assistance
• Pediatric cardiac nonprofit
• Charitable fundraising events
• Mental health support groups

Headquarters

HQ city

Montreal

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: One-time and recurring donations from individual donors supporting the foundation's mission to help children with heart disease and their families in Quebec.
2. Planned Giving: Legacy giving options including donation of shares and planned legacy gifts.
3. Event Fundraising: Revenue generated from signature fundraising events including 6H En Coeur, Soiree En Coeur, Sutton En Coeur, Celebrons En Coeur, and third-party events. Funds raised support family services.
4. Merchandise Sales: Sale of branded merchandise including socks, scarves, caps, and bags. Products are designed in collaboration with partners (Robin des bas, CIELE, Poches & Fils) with a portion or all of profits donated to the foundation.
5. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate partners sponsor foundation events and campaigns, providing financial support in exchange for brand visibility and association with the charitable cause.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Fondation En Coeur provides financial, emotional, and informational support services free of charge to families of children with congenital heart disease in Quebec. Core offerings include financial assistance (accommodation, parking, grocery/gas cards, travel expenses, medical equipment loans, meal vouchers), mental health support (parent groups, individual counseling, teen/grandparent groups, hospital reception), and educational resources (Cœur de Citron book, La clé du cœur podcast, CHD Care Compass). The foundation also organizes signature fundraising events and sells branded merchandise with proceeds supporting its mission.

Product overview

Fondation En Coeur is a Quebec foundation that provides comprehensive support services for children with congenital heart disease and their families. The organization offers a multi-faceted portfolio including: financial support services (accommodation, parking, grocery/gas cards, travel expenses, medical equipment loans, meal vouchers), mental health support (parent support groups, individual meetings, teen-parent and grandparent groups), and information resources (the Cœur de Citron book, La clé du cœur podcast, Info-Cœur Card, CHD Care Compass). The foundation also sells branded merchandise including En Cœur socks, tubular scarves, CIELE caps, tote bags, hoodies, and beanies through partnerships with Quebec companies, with proceeds benefiting the foundation. Annual events include the Soirée En Cœur gala, 6H En Cœur sports challenge, Sutton En Cœur skiing event, and Célébrons En Cœur family celebration, along with Heart Month awareness activities. Publications include the annual Écho du cœur newsletter and educational materials.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• 6H En Cœur: Annual 6-hour sports endurance event to raise funds for the foundation
• Soirée En Cœur
• Sutton En Cœur
• Célébrons En Cœur
• En Cœur Products
• La clé du cœur
• Cœur de Citron
• CHD Care Compass

Products and services

• Financial Support Services (Soutien financier) Provides financial assistance including overnight accommodation, parking reimbursement, grocery cards, gas cards, travel expense coverage, medical equipment loans and purchases, and meal vouchers for families of children with heart disease receiving care in Quebec.
• Mental Health Support Services (Soutien en santé mentale) Offers mental health support services including parent support groups (French and English), individual support meetings, teen-parent groups, grandparent groups, private Facebook groups, and hospital reception services for families of children with heart disease.
• Information Resources (Sources d'information) Provides educational materials including the Cœur de Citron book, La clé du cœur podcast, Info-Cœur Card, heart diagrams, ablation guides for children, cause documentation, Pensatout resources, and school forms.
• Soirée En Cœur (Annual Benefit Gala) Annual benefit gala bringing together over 400 people from the business and medical communities to raise funds for children with heart disease and their families.
• 6H En Cœur (Sports Fundraising Event) Sports fundraising event where participants run, walk, ski, or snowboard for 6 hours (symbolizing the average duration of open-heart surgery in children) to raise money for the foundation.
• Sutton En Cœur (Winter Sports Event) Skiing event held at Mont Sutton where participants practice skiing, snowboarding, alpine hiking, or snowshoeing for 6 hours to support children with heart disease.
• Célébrons En Cœur (Family Celebration Event) Family celebration event dedicated to children with congenital heart disease and their families, featuring festive activities and entertainment.
• En Cœur Socks (Bas En Cœur) Custom-designed socks created by ambassador Rémi, sold for $25 in navy blue or white (children's or adult sizes), with proceeds benefiting the foundation.
• En Cœur Tubular Scarves (Foulards tubulaires En Cœur) Multi-way tubular scarves that can be worn as a scarf, hat, headband, or pirate helmet, made from lightweight, comfortable, quick-drying material that blocks wind and breathes well.
• CIELE En Cœur Cap (Casquette CIELE En Cœur) Athletic cap made of lightweight COOLwick fabric, quick-drying, and recycled performance fibers, in forest green color, unisex size 58cm, adjustable, UPF +40 protection, machine washable, priced at $50.
• Poches & Fils x En Cœur Tote Bag Tote bag with En Cœur-colored pocket, made in Quebec from 100% cotton, dimensions 16" x 16" with 27" handles, priced at $24.99 plus taxes, with 25% of sales going to the foundation.
• En Cœur x Poches & Fils Hoodie (Coton ouaté) Co-branded hoodie created in collaboration with Quebec company Poches & Fils, with all profits benefiting the foundation.
• En Cœur x Écogriffe Beanie (Tuque) Beanie created in collaboration with Quebec company Écogriffe, with all profits benefiting the foundation.
• CHD Care Compass (Boussole de soins CHD) Global CHD Care Compass providing information on care pathways for congenital heart disease patients.
• La clé du cœur Podcast (Balado) Podcast providing information and support for families of children with heart disease.
• Cœur de Citron Book (Livre) Book published by the foundation providing educational content for families of children with heart disease.

Quantifiable outcome

• 365 families helped annually
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

30 partnerships are on record, tiered key, core and supporting.

• Rinaldi | Marketing et StratégieskeyGTM or Marketing PartnerMaurice Rinaldi, co-president and founder of Rinaldi | marketing et stratégies, joined the foundation's board of directors. Rinaldi launched a campaign to inspire more Quebecers to become monthly donors, using creative marketing strategies to advance the foundation's mission.
• Robin des bascoreGTM or Marketing PartnerQuebec-based sock company that created socks featuring artwork by Rémi, young ambassador of the foundation. Socks sold at $25 with proceeds supporting foundation services.
• CIELEcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAthletic apparel brand collaborated with the foundation on En Coeur branded caps. The caps feature designs by young ambassador Rémi and are sold at $50 each.
• Poches & FilscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerQuebec company created an En Coeur branded tote bag with pocket in foundation colors. 25% of sales go to the foundation. Also collaborated on other products including sweatshirts and bags.
• W CommunicationssupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerMarketing agency that collaborated on the design of tubular scarves for the foundation's merchandise line.
• CIMA+keyGTM or Marketing PartnerPresented the 21st edition of Soirée En Coeur, a major annual gala event that raised $350,000 for children with heart disease and their families.
• BoralexkeyGTM or Marketing PartnerPresented the 20th edition of Soirée En Coeur and supported the foundation's annual gala events, contributing to fundraising success.
• DesjardinskeyGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor sponsor of 6H En Coeur events in Montreal and Quebec, providing presence, gifts, and lemonade at events. Also sponsored the 2024 10th edition.
• Sun Life QuébeckeyGTM or Marketing PartnerPresented the 3rd and 4th editions of Sutton En Coeur winter sports fundraising event, raising over $220,000.
• Lion ÉlectriquekeyGTM or Marketing PartnerPresented the 19th edition of Soirée En Coeur, with founder Marc Bédard serving as honorary president of the event that raised $260,000.
• Biscuits LeclercsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of the 9th edition of 6H En Coeur, contributing to events that raised over $300,000.
• Jean CoutusupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner supporting foundation events including Sutton En Coeur and 6H En Coeur.
• Morency Société d'avocatssupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerLegal firm partner sponsoring Sutton En Coeur events and other foundation activities.
• TanguaysupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerMaurice Tanguay Foundation supported 6H En Coeur and other foundation events.
• RichtersupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerAccounting/financial firm partner supporting Soirée En Coeur gala events.
• Banque NationalesupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerBanking partner supporting foundation events.
• CNsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor of Soirée En Coeur events.
• Gloria Baylis FoundationsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerFoundation supporting Soirée En Coeur gala events.
• McCarthy TétraultsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerLaw firm partner supporting Soirée En Coeur events.
• Stikeman ElliottsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerLaw firm partner supporting Soirée En Coeur events.
• Valeurs mobilières TD inc.supportingGTM or Marketing PartnerTD Securities partner supporting Soirée En Coeur events.
• Borea ConstructionsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerConstruction firm partner supporting Soirée En Coeur events.
• Banque ScotiasupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerScotiabank partner supporting foundation events.
• Fiera CapitalsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerInvestment management firm partner supporting events.
• SAQsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerSociété des alcools du Québec partner supporting Soirée En Coeur events.
• Norton Rose FulbrightsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerLaw firm partner supporting Sutton En Coeur events.
• ATTITUDEsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerBrand partner supporting Sutton En Coeur events.
• Bell CanadasupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerTelecommunications partner supporting Sutton En Coeur events.
• Mont SuttonsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerSki resort hosting Sutton En Coeur winter sports fundraising event.
• Laurie Suzor-PleausupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerPhotographer who created the 'Espace des guerriers' photo exhibition of children with congenital heart disease and contributed to the Young Philanthropists Committee.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights2 records

Direct peers

• Leucan: Quebec association supporting children with cancer and their families through financial aid, emotional support, and activities. Directly comparable mission structure (financial + mental health support for families of sick children) and Quebec event-driven fundraising model.
• Fondation Charles-Bruneau: Quebec foundation dedicated to pediatric cancer, funding research and family support. Comparable Quebec-based charity model with event-driven fundraising (e.g., Fundraisers cycling event) and corporate sponsorships competing for the same donor base.
• Opération Enfant Soleil: Quebec-wide children's health charity funding pediatric care across the province. Comparable non-profit model focused on Quebec sick children, with mass-event fundraising and broad corporate sponsorship — directly overlapping with En Cœur's donor base.
• Fondation CHU Sainte-Justine: Quebec pediatric hospital foundation raising funds to support children treated at Sainte-Justine — the same hospital where Fondation En Cœur funds accommodation and family services. Directly competes for Quebec pediatric healthcare donors and corporate sponsors.
• Montreal Children's Hospital Foundation: Foundation supporting the Montreal Children's Hospital — one of two anchor pediatric hospitals referenced in En Cœur's hospital partnerships. Raises funds for pediatric cardiac care infrastructure and competes for the same Quebec pediatric healthcare donor dollar.

Broad incumbents

• Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada: National Canadian charity focused on cardiovascular disease including congenital heart defects. Operates at much larger scale across all cardiovascular conditions; overlaps with En Cœur in CHD awareness and donor mindshare but does not provide localized family support.
• SickKids Foundation: National fundraising arm of Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children, funding pediatric cardiac care research and family services. A broader incumbent in the Canadian children's health charity space with overlapping cardiac programs and donor reach.

Regional players

• Children's Heart Network (British Columbia): BC-based peer organization supporting children with congenital heart disease and their families. Mirrors En Cœur's family-support mission and event model, but serves a different Canadian province without direct Quebec overlap.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCmNSmPkTgLfVXIJMCCh_1IQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/FondationEnCoeur
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fondation-en-coeur
• Instagraminstagram.com/fondationencoeur

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Fondation En Coeur