Giant Steps Foundation
Creating Lasting Impact
The Giant Steps Foundation ensures the long-term success and sustainability of the Giant Steps Centre by funding innovative educational, therapeutic, and employment programs that empower autistic individuals to thrive.
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From the very beginning, the Giant Steps Foundation has had a major impact on Giant Steps’ growth and success.
1985 – Establishment of the Giant Steps Foundation
The Giant Steps School opened in 1980. Five years later, the Giant Steps Foundation was created to offer financial support to the school’s programs.
1993 – First Fundraising Auction
The Giant Steps Foundation organized its first auction in 1993. Over the years, the event has become an annual tradition and a highly anticipated event for our community. On its own, the auction now allows the Foundation to raise over $300,000 every year.
2016 – First Online Fundraising Campaign
Autumn 2016 marked the beginning of a new tradition: an annual online campaign that lasts 24 hours. The community is invited to donate to help the Foundation reach a fundraising goal, with the generous support of partners who match every donation.
2021 – Take a Giant Step for Autism Capital Campaign
By 2021, Giant Steps’ existing facilities could no longer accommodate the growing needs of its students or the expanding range of programs and services it sought to provide. To realize its full potential, Giant Steps launched a major $ 54 million capital campaign to build a new, purpose-designed Centre.
The goal was to create a centralized hub that would bring together specialized education, adult education and employment services, resources and training, and research and innovation—all under one roof. The Centre would meet the evolving needs of the autistic community and serve as a model of excellence worldwide.
Drawing on its longstanding relationships with Quebec’s business and philanthropic communities, the Foundation played a central role in the project alongside Giant Steps’ leadership. The successful campaign was spearheaded by an influential cabinet of business and community leaders.
2021 Campaign Cabinet
Campaign Co-Chairs
- André Bourbonnais – Corporate Director
- Me Andrée Dallaire – Corporate Director
Campaign Cabinet Members
- Henriette Angers – Corporate Director
- Jonathan Birks – President, Birks Family Foundation
- Marc-André Blanchard – Chief of Staff, Office of the Prime Minister of Canada
- Dr. Johanna Choremis – Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at UdeM and Assistant Professor at McGill University
- François Dufresne – Corporate Director
- Richard Dufresne – President and Chief Financial Officer, George Weston
- Xavier-Henri Hervé – Coach & Business Condultant, Dahouet & Co.
- Nick Katalifos – Director General, English Montreal School Board
- Heather Kirk – Corporate Director
- Élaine Lalonde – Senior Consultant, Global Philanthropic Canada
- Antonia Maioni – President, John Cabot University
- André Pagé – Chairman, Forage Orbit Garant
2023 – Inauguration of the New Giant Steps Centre
Thanks to the campaign cabinet and our generous donors, more than $53 million was raised, including over $19 million in funding from the Government of Quebec. Every detail of the new Centre—from acoustics and lighting to materials and layout—was designed to support the sensory needs and well-being of autistic people.
On September 12, 2023, dignitaries, donors, allies and members of the wider Giant Steps community gathered to inaugurate the new Centre. Bringing all four pillars of service under one roof, Giant Steps could now better support autistic people across the lifespan—from childhood through adulthood—and offer a glimpse of what the future could hold.
Our Team and Board of Directors
The Giant Steps Foundation is led by a dedicated team and influential Board whose leadership, expertise, and commitment drive its impact and support the success of Giant Steps.
Giant Steps Foundation Team
Tracy Pennimpede, CFRE, M.ED
Executive Director
Julie Kavanagh
Advancement Officer
Violette Duguay
Philanthropic Development Officer
2025-2026 Board of Directors
Me Andrée Dallaire
Chair
Corporate Director
Tina Serafin
Treasurer
Corporate Director
Henriette Angers
Secretary
Corporate Director
Michelle Aubé
Director
Corporate Director
Johanna Choremis
Director
Associate professor of ophthalmology at UdeM and assistant professor McGill University
Jean de Mailly Nesle
Director
Executive Director – Fondation Yvon Lamarre
Richard Dufresne
Director
President and Chief Financial Officer – George Weston
Teresa Fata
Director
Corporate Director
Nick Katalifos
Director
Director General – English Montreal School Board
Nick Meti
Director
President – Emballages Mercato
André Pagé
Director
Chairman – Forage Orbit Garant
Guillaume Poulin
Managing Director, Debt Capital Market
Desjardins
Pierre Simard
President
Champlain Financial
Luc Soucy
President and CEO
Groupe Soucy
Governor’s Circle
Jacques Chartrand
The Honourable Tony Loffreda
Doug Mitchell
Past Events
34th Annual Auction of the Giant Steps Foundation
On April 21, 2026, the community came together and raised over $540,000 to open doors to greater opportunities in education, employment, and inclusion for autistic individuals, during an evening co-hosted by Nathalie Hamel-Roy and Michel Laperrière.
My Voice, My Future Online Fundraising Campaign
On November 4–5, 2025, Giant Steps raised a record-breaking $917,535 in just 24 hours, with every donation quintupled thanks to the generosity of our matching donors, including Fondation Marcelle et Jean Coutu, The Rossy Foundation, The Infilise Foundation, Fondation D’Amours, and an anonymous donor.
33rd Annual Auction of the Giant Steps Foundation
On May 13, 2025, 225 guests gathered at the Giant Steps Centre for the 33rd Annual Auction. Hosted by Charles Lafortune, the evening raised over $350,000 to support the Foundation’s mission.
Elect to Make a Difference Online Fundraising Campaign
On November 6–7, 2024, Giant Steps raised $653,075 in just 24 hours, with every community donation quadrupled by generous matching donors, including Fondation Marcelle et Jean Coutu, The Rossy Foundation, The Infilise Foundation, and Fondation D’Amours.
32nd Annual Auction of the Giant Steps Foundation
On May 7, 2024 our community gathered at the new Giant Steps Centre for the 32nd Annual Auction. Hosted by Charles Lafortune, the evening raised $300,000 in support of the Foundation’s mission and honoured two pillars of our community, Jacques Chartrand and Andrée Robert.
A Moving Performance
On March 21, 2023, the Foundation hosted a powerful and emotional evening with a private showing of the award-winning documentary play Rose et la machine. Donors, partners, and members of the autism community witnessed powerful performances by Maude Laurendeau and Julie Le Breton, bringing to life a story shared by so many families.
Make an Impact Through the Giant Steps Foundation
By donating, you can help create lasting change for autistic people and their families. Contact us to learn how you can make a difference.