Philanthrôpia > History | Philanthropy, philanthropic financing and fundraising campaigns

2003 — Philanthrôpia founded in Montréal by Louise Giroux.

2004 — French branch of Philanthrôpia established in Lyon, France.

2005 — The French subsidiary, Philanthrôpia France, established in Levallois-Perret.

2006 — Philanthrôpia International (an Irish subsidiary of the group in Dublin, Ireland) is established, followed by the parent company, Mecena Finance Ltd.

Louise Giroux, Founder of Philanthrôpia

Louise Giroux is President and Executive Director of Philanthrôpia. She acquired more than 20 years of experience in fundraising before establishing her own fundraising company in Montréal in 2003.

A graduate of Université du Québec à Montréal (B.B.A.) and HEC Montréal, she was the first woman to manage the Université de Montréal development fund (1998-2001). The Un monde de projet campaign, led by the development fund between 1999 and 2003, raised CAD $218 million. The goal was $125 million.

Before managing the development fund, Giroux held positions as:

Public Relations Officer in various departments of the Quebec government
Fundraising Manager for six (6) years at a major Pan-American fundraising agency
Fundraising Manager of the Canadian Red Cross, Quebec division

Developing fundraising in Europe

Shortly after its creation in Montréal in 2003, Philanthrôpia received mandates from universities in France and Belgium. The firm conducted market studies and Giroux trained fundraising managers at these large institutions. The experience confirmed Europe's philanthropic funding potential.

In 2004, she established a French branch of Philanthrôpia in Lyon. With a growing client base and partners in France, the company developed business contacts in Belgium, Switzerland, Spain, and Ireland. Giroux set up an expert team in fundraising and international project management. In 2005, the branch became a French subsidiary and established its offices in Levallois-Perret. The name was then changed to Philanthrôpia France in 2006.

Since 2006, the holding company Mecena Finance has been managing the three branches in Montréal, Paris and Dublin, and is developing new services in the innovative world of international philanthropy.

Philanthrôpia and its teams are members of various professional fundraising networks. Its consultants are regular guest speakers at fundraising conferences and seminars throughout Europe and North America.