GRIS-Mauricie/Centre-du-Québec

What GRIS-Mauricie/Centre-du-Québec does

GRIS-Mauricie/Centre-du-Québec is a non-profit community organization (OBNL) founded in 2008, headquartered in Trois-Rivières, Quebec, and operating as part of the GRIS National network of five regional LGBT+ demystification organizations across Quebec. The organization's primary mission is to foster better understanding of sexual and gender diversity through volunteer-led testimony sessions ("démystifications") delivered in secondary and primary schools across the Mauricie and Centre-du-Québec administrative regions. Its service portfolio extends beyond school-based interventions to include individual listening and support (écoute et soutien), a peer-matching program (jumelage), discussion groups (cafés-causeries), student committee support (AGIS), and free consulting services to help other non-profit organizations (OBNLs) develop inclusive practices (accompagnement OBNL).

The organization operates a community-led go-to-market model in which trained volunteer pairs share their lived experiences as LGBT+ individuals with students, families, and community groups. There is no proprietary technology platform; the organization relies on standard web-based tools for member management, newsletter distribution, and donation processing via the Zeffy platform, with digital content production extending to a recently launched podcast and longitudinal research publications. All core services are provided free of charge to beneficiaries; revenue is generated through a mix of government grants (Quebec's Bureau de la lutte contre l'homophobie et la transphobie and Canada's Fonds de relance des services communautaires), public donations, event ticket sales, and a $10 annual membership fee. The organization is led by Director General François Vanier with a core staff of approximately five employees, supplemented by dozens of trained volunteer démystificateurs and accompagnateurs.

GRIS-Mauricie/Centre-du-Québec serves a diverse set of constituents including secondary and primary school students and educational institutions, LGBT+ individuals and their families, community organizations, and LGBT+ seniors. Over more than 15 years of operation, the organization has reached tens of thousands of young people across its territory and contributed to one of Quebec's most extensive longitudinal datasets on youth attitudes toward sexual and gender diversity, with 35,705 student questionnaires analyzed in a 2025 research report covering 2017–2024. Notable milestones include its 15th anniversary in November 2023, the first-ever ACTION LGBTQ+ government award won by the GRIS National network in June 2024, and the January 2025 launch of its first podcast series.

Name

GRIS-Mauricie/Centre-du-Québec

Legal name

GRIS-Mauricie/Centre-du-Québec

Website

https://grismcdq.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

GRIS-Mauricie/Centre-du-Québec is a non-profit organization delivering LGBT+ demystification through volunteer-led testimony sessions in schools and community support services across the Mauricie and Centre-du-Québec regions of Quebec, Canada.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Social Services

NAICS

Human Rights Organizations (813311), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Educational Services (611), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

LGBTQ+ Rights & Advocacy Organizations (BPAGAFAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Education Partnerships for Equity, Inclusion & Gender (EDADALAF), Peer Support, Buddy Programs & Cooperative Learning Facilitation (EDAKABAI), Family-School Collaboration & Inclusion Planning Support (EDAKABAK), Special Education, Disability Support & Inclusive Education Nonprofits (BPAGADAH)

Keywords

• LGBT+ education services
• Community testimony programs
• School demystification sessions
• LGBTQ+ peer support
• Inclusive practices consulting

Headquarters

HQ city

Trois-Rivières

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Government funding / grants: Primary funding from government bodies including the Bureau de la lutte contre l'homophobie et la transphobie du ministère de la Justice du Québec and the government of Canada's Fonds de relance des services communautaires. Nonprofit OBNL status.
2. Donations: Public donations accepted via Zeffy platform. Individual membership fee of $10/year.
3. Event revenue: Ticket sales for special events such as the 15th anniversary celebration and the Bingo des alliés.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

GRIS-Mauricie/Centre-du-Québec is a non-profit community organization that delivers testimony-based educational interventions (démystifications) in schools and provides listening, peer matching (jumelage), discussion groups (cafés-causeries), and organizational consulting services to promote understanding of sexual and gender diversity. The organization trains volunteer pairs of LGBT+ individuals to share lived experiences directly with secondary school students and supports LGBT+ individuals, families, and community organizations across the Mauricie and Centre-du-Québec regions.

Product overview

GRIS-Mauricie/Centre-du-Québec is a non-profit organization (OBNL) offering a portfolio of community services focused on LGBTQ+ education and support. The core offering is the Démystifications program, which provides testimony-based educational sessions in schools delivered by trained volunteer pairs. Supporting services include Écoute et soutien (individual support and listening services), Jumelage (peer matching program), Cafés-causeries (discussion groups), AGIS school committee support, and Accompagnement OBNL (consulting for inclusive practices). Digital offerings include the Balado 'Allié·es: À la rencontre de la diversité' podcast and research publications. Annual events such as Ensemble mobilize the regional community.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Démystifications Testimony-based educational sessions delivered by volunteer pairs (gay, lesbian, bisexual, pansexual, trans, or non-binary individuals) in schools to answer questions from youth about sexual and gender diversity.
• Écoute et soutien Support services offering listening and support to people from sexual and gender diversity and their loved ones through occasional or regular meetings.
• Jumelage Short-term accompaniment program pairing gay, lesbian, bisexual or questioning individuals with trained volunteer companions for individual support regarding sexual orientation.
• Cafés-causeries Discussion group meetings allowing people from sexual and gender diversity and their loved ones to break isolation in a safe and inclusive environment.
• Accompagnement OBNL Free consulting service helping non-profit organizations in Mauricie and Centre-du-Québec develop inclusive practices for sexual and gender diversity, including website review, policy development, and interactive workshops.
• AGIS (Alliances genres, identités et sexualités) School-based student committees aimed at promoting sexual and gender diversity and providing safe spaces for LGBTQ+ people in schools, with personalized support from GRIS for creation and development.
• Balado Allié·es: À la rencontre de la diversité Five-episode podcast series featuring testimonials from LGBTQ+ community members exploring diverse realities including youth, elders, homoparentality, and trans experiences to promote allyship.
• Bénévolat - Formation démystification Volunteer training program preparing LGBTQ+ individuals to deliver educational testimonies in schools and community settings.

Quantifiable outcome

• Reached several tens of thousands of youth over 10+ years of school-based demystification activities
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered significant, minor and core.

• Théâtre des Gens de la placesignificantStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 May 2021Collaborated with Théâtre des Gens de la place to present the virtual public reading of Le projet Laramie in May 2021, as part of the Ensemble contre l'homophobie et la transphobie event. GRIS served as production and dissemination partner alongside the theater company.
• Théâtre du Cégep de Trois-RivièresminorOthersVenue for the filmed reading of Le projet Laramie. The reading was performed on the stage of Théâtre du Cégep de Trois-Rivières on April 11, 2021.
• Coalition des familles LGBT+significantStrategic or Co-development PartnerServed as a conference speaker at the Forum régional communautaire 2021, presenting on sexual and gender diversity topics to community organizations alongside GRIS-Québec.
• GRIS-QuébecsignificantStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of the GRIS National network; collaborated on the Forum régional communautaire 2021 as a conference presenter on sexual and gender diversity for community organizations.
• GRIS-MontréalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on the 2025 research report analyzing 35,705 student questionnaires across all five GRIS organizations in Quebec (Montréal, Mauricie–Centre-du-Québec, Québec, Estrie, Chaudière-Appalaches).
• Fédération des comités de parents du Québec (FCPQ)significantStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with GRIS-Montréal for the January 16, 2025 press conference announcing research findings on rising malaise levels among youth regarding sexual diversity.
• Fondation ÉmergencesignificantStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner on the 2021 'Ensemble, préservons les couleurs!' campaign targeting LGBT+ seniors. Fondation Émergence initiated the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (May 17) and the Pour que vieillir soit gai program.
• Marguerite Blais, Deputy of Prévost and Minister Responsible for SeniorsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSupported the 'Ensemble, préservons les couleurs!' campaign for LGBT+ seniors through ministerial backing.
• InterlignesignificantOthersListed as a key referral resource on GRIS website. Interligne is a bilingual listening and information line for people concerned by sexual orientation and gender identity. GRIS refers people to Interligne, and Interligne's AGIS program is promoted on GRIS's website.
• Université Laval – École de travail social et de criminologieminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKevin Lavoie, professor at Université Laval's School of Social Work and Criminology, collaborated on the podcast 'Allié·es: À la rencontre de la diversité' as a content contributor.
• Trans Mauricie/Centre-du-QuébecminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a recommended LGBT+ resource on GRIS website; collaborating on the 2026 Ensemble event celebrating Trans MCQ's 10th anniversary.
• CFCM – Centre de formation communautaire de la MauriciesignificantStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoached GRIS through the Marketing social et mise en récit program, helping develop video production skills.
• La Gazette de la Mauricie (Steven Roy Cullen)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerMedia partner contributing to GRIS's social marketing and video storytelling project.
• La Philanthrope (Véronique Buisson)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerSupported GRIS's social marketing and storytelling coaching during the Marketing social et mise en récit program.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Gai Écoute: Quebec LGBT+ listening and referral helpline providing support services. Overlaps with GRIS's écoute et soutien offering, though Gai Écoute operates a national scope with primarily remote/digital delivery.
• PFLAG Canada: National Canadian organization supporting LGBT+ people and their families through peer support chapters. Comparable in family-ally support and education focus to GRIS's Jumelage and écoute et soutien programs, with a national footprint.
• Fondation Émergence: Quebec's leading LGBT+ rights advocacy foundation, originator of the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia and the 'Pour que vieillir soit gai' seniors program. Partnered with GRIS on seniors' inclusion campaigns; comparable in advocacy and inclusion mandate but broader in national reach.

Direct peers

• GRIS-Montréal: The Montréal-based member of the same GRIS National network, delivering the identical volunteer-testimony demystification model in schools. Operates the same product portfolio (demystifications, écoute et soutien, jumelage) at much larger scale and urban density.
• GRIS-Québec: The Québec City regional member of GRIS National, also running school-based volunteer demystification and support services. Directly comparable in mission, methodology, and product mix to GRIS-Mauricie/Centre-du-Québec.
• GRIS-Estrie: The Estrie regional chapter of GRIS National, founded in 2014. Closest comparable in regional scope and stage of maturity to GRIS-Mauricie/Centre-du-Québec within the same network.
• GRIS-Chaudière-Appalaches: The Chaudière-Appalaches regional chapter of GRIS National, operating the same demystification methodology in a different Quebec region. Direct peer in service model, target audiences, and funding sources.
• Interligne: Quebec-wide bilingual helpline and information service for LGBT+ concerns. Operates the AGIS school program referenced by GRIS, serving overlapping beneficiaries (LGBT+ individuals and schools) with a complementary listening/referral model.

Emerging players

• Coalition des familles LGBT+: Quebec coalition supporting LGBT+ families through peer support and advocacy. Overlaps with GRIS's homoparentality podcast content and family-facing services, targeting a narrower family-and-allies segment.
• Trans Mauricie/Centre-du-Québec: Trans-specific community organization operating in the same Mauricie and Centre-du-Québec territory. Directly overlaps on trans-inclusion programming and shares referral pathways with GRIS-Mauricie/Centre-du-Québec.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/GRIS_MCDQ
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCkApNhYeFZODG8A5b_7rZ7g
• Facebookfacebook.com/GMCDQ
• Instagraminstagram.com/gris_mcdq/?hl=fr-ca
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/gris-mauricie-centre-du-qu%C3%A9bec

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about GRIS-Mauricie/Centre-du-Québec