10 Years of Parcours: Building the Next Generation of Philanthropy Professionals

Conseil des arts de Montréal is celebrating the 10th anniversary of Parcours, an initiative that has helped build the next generation of philanthropy professionals for the past decade through paid internships within Montréal arts organizations.

Created in 2017, Parcours was born from a shared observation: many arts organizations wanted to strengthen their philanthropic capacity but had limited resources to support that growth. The program was designed to offer paid internships to students in arts management and philanthropy while creating opportunities for knowledge sharing between emerging professionals and established leaders in the sector.

50 Interns and 26,000 Internship Hours

Over the years, the program has evolved to better meet the sector’s needs and enhance the experience of its participants.

Thanks to the commitment of partner organizations, the academic support of HEC Montréal and Université de Montréal’s Faculty of Continuing Education, as well as the financial support of Caisse Desjardins de la Culture, Parcours has enabled 50 interns to complete more than 26,000 internship hours with 27 Montréal-based cultural partner organizations.>

These experiences have helped develop a new generation of professionals with expertise in philanthropic strategy, communications, stakeholder engagement, and donor relations.

Outstanding Results

The findings of a recent impact survey demonstrate the program’s lasting benefits.
In May 2026, a survey was conducted among 43 interns from the 2017-2025 cohorts. Eighteen individuals participated, representing a response rate of 42%.

For the past ten years, Parcours has also demonstrated the importance of collective action in supporting the development of the cultural sector. By bringing together partners from different fields around a shared objective, the program shows that cultural philanthropy is built through collaboration, knowledge sharing, and complementary expertise.

At a time when many cultural organizations are facing significant funding and development challenges, CAM reaffirms its commitment to continuing this work in partnership with the sector. Skills development, knowledge exchange, and support for emerging professionals remain essential drivers of the vitality and resilience of Montréal’s cultural ecosystem.

CAM extends its heartfelt thanks to all interns, partner organizations, and collaborators whose contributions have made this decade of success possible.