We are thrilled to share with our community that on Thursday, February 12, The Depot was awarded the Prix Solidaire – Healthy, Effective and Inclusive Governance by Centraide of Greater Montreal.
This award recognizes an organisation that demonstrates responsible and transparent financial management, clear and equitable human resource policies, effective planning, and governance practices that are healthy, inclusive, collaborative, and accountable to the community it serves.
We are proud of this recognition, and even prouder of the intentional work behind it.
Governance as a Foundation for Impact
Governance isn’t always visible. It happens in boardrooms, in planning sessions, in policy reviews, in consultations, and in the steady work of alignment. Yet it is governance that allows an organisation to move together toward meaningful outcomes, with clarity about roles, shared expectations, and accountability to community.
Over the past several years, The Depot has invested deeply in strengthening our governance practices. This work began with a strategic planning process grounded in consultation, reflection, and trust-building. Through broad engagement: including a strategic planning committee, staff engagement, a World Café process, and community consultations, we clarified our values, deepened our commitments to equity and anti-oppressive practice, and articulated a shared direction for the future.
Communication has been central: doing the work, reporting back, and ensuring our community understands both the “why” and the “how” of our decisions. We see this as an ongoing learning process, and we remain committed to continuously improving how we listen, share information, and stay accountable. Initiatives such as the rollout of our Community Contribution model are one example of how governance and strategy translate into practice.
A Collective Achievement
“Strong governance isn’t just internal structure. It’s what allows us to act with clarity and accountability, make thoughtful choices, support our team, and remain responsive to the people and community we serve. It helps us keep moving toward our vision together.”
— Jennifer Brennan & Marguerite Kinfack, Interim Co-Executive Directors
At a time when 1 in 5 Montrealers is experiencing food insecurity, we cannot do this work alone, and strong internal systems are essential to delivering stable, dignified, and effective programming.
The $10,000 prize attached to this award will be reinvested into strengthening our organisational capacity and long-term sustainability.
We extend our sincere thanks to Centraide of Greater Montreal for this honour and for their ongoing partnership.
Our vision remains clear: A thriving and connected community where nourishing food is accessible and recognized as a fundamental human right. Strong governance helps us move toward that vision together.