Toit à moi (TÀM) is building its community. Some 300 people have become sponsors of the organization in less than two weeks. All of these people are now helping to make TÀM’s first six condos affordable.
Let us recall our concept which aims to socialize co-ownerships in Quebec.
Patrons: TÀM relies on patrons (foundations, corporations, major donors, financial institutions and governments) to provide down payments to acquire one-bedroom condominiums for less than $300,000. For TÀM’s first three condos, the Gauthier Family Foundation provided $700,000 for the acquisitions and the Bank of Montreal (BMO) provided $300,000 in mortgage loans.
Ambassadors and Sponsors: Ambassadors are individuals committed to TÀM. As part of a month-long blitz, they solicit their network for monthly or annual donors to cover the condominiums’ mortgages and operating costs. This costs approximately $12,000 to $16,000 per year. Without the support of donors to cover these costs, rents would not be affordable. Approximately 30-40 sponsors, offering between $25 and $50 per month, make it possible to pay for housing.
The first campaign
Five ambassadors raised their hands to recruit the first sponsors: Martin Gauthier, Alexandre Skaff, Serge Lareault, Renée Larivière, Lise Dufour.
The results
The results were swift and enthusiastic. Some 300 people spontaneously answered the call. An annual value of $125,000 was raised in two weeks. The first six TÀM condos are therefore financed for one year. Half of the donors have already expressed interest in continuing next year.
A huge thank you to all the generous people who want to help, believe in our innovative concept, and trust our fledgling organization. Thank you also to our ambassadors who have recruited so many people from their circle!
Want to become an ambassador? Write to us in the Contact section!
Montreal businessman and philanthropist Martin Gauthier, President of the Gautier Family Foundation, is the visionary behind the creation of TÀM in Quebec. The Gauthier family invested $2 million in the charity’s first three years. He chaired the first TÀM ambassador campaign to recruit sponsors.