Montreal, June 23, 2026 – West Island Community Shares is proud to announce that it has won the 2026 Accolades Award in the Non-Profit / Social Economy Enterprise – Service to the Community category at the 38th Accolades Gala of the West Island Chamber of Commerce, held on June 18.

Presented annually by the West Island Chamber of Commerce, the Accolades Awards celebrate excellence, innovation, and commitment among organizations that contribute to the vitality of the community. This distinction recognizes West Island Community Shares' outstanding impact in the community sector and its leadership in mobilizing resources to support the most vulnerable members of the West Island community.

During the past fiscal year, West Island Community Shares recently announced a historic distribution of $1.525 million to more than 40 local community organizations that collectively support over 65,000 West Island residents.

“We are deeply honoured to receive this recognition,” said Meagan Somerville, Executive Director of West Island Community Shares. “This award highlights not only the work of our team and Board of Directors, but also the remarkable commitment of our donors, partners, and the many community organizations we are privileged to support. This honour belongs to our entire community.”

West Island Community Shares would like to extend its sincere thanks to Precikam, presenting partner of the Non-Profit category, as well as the organizing committee and members of the jury for their commitment to recognizing excellence within the West Island community.

“This recognition reflects both the growing needs within the community sector and the strength of the collective effort that helps meet those needs,” added Ms. Somerville. “Together, we are helping build a stronger, more inclusive, and more resilient community.”

​West Island Community Shares also congratulates all finalists and award recipients of the 38th Accolades Gala for their exceptional contributions to the economic, social, and community vitality of the West Island.
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Pierrefonds Cultural Centre, Montreal, Quebec – June 9, 2026 — West Island Community Shares (Partage-Action de l'Ouest-de-l'Île) is proud to announce a historic $1.525 million in funding to be distributed to over 40 local community organizations across Montreal's West Island for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2026.

The announcement marks the largest annual distribution in the organization's nearly 30-year history.
The funding announcement was made at the Pierrefonds Cultural Centre during the organization's inaugural Célébration Partage-Action, which brought together community leaders, donors, corporate partners, volunteers, and representatives from funded organizations to celebrate the collective impact of a community united by generosity and collaboration.

Throughout the event, speakers reflected on the unique spirit of the West Island — a community often described as a village where neighbours, donors, businesses, and community organizations are deeply connected. As a trusted fundraising organization, West Island Community Shares serves as a bridge between those who want to help and the organizations delivering essential services on the front lines.

"This achievement belongs to our entire community," said Meagan Somerville, Executive Director of West Island Community Shares. "The needs facing our community continue to grow, while many organizations are being asked to do more with less. This historic investment is only possible because donors, businesses, foundations, and community partners continue to believe in the importance of supporting our neighbours and investing in a stronger, more resilient West Island."

The funding comes at a critical time. Throughout the year, West Island Community Shares and its Fund Distribution Committee witnessed increasing needs related to basic needs such as food security and housing as well as mental health, social isolation, and access to frontline services. Collectively, funded organizations supported more than 65,000 West Island residents over the past year.

The $1.525 million investment surpasses last year's record distribution of $1.44 million and reflects the growing commitment of donors and partners to strengthening the local community sector.
This milestone was made possible through the generosity of individual donors, private foundations, corporate partners, and the success of several fundraising initiatives, including:

West Island Community Shares signature events
·       Annual Community Breakfast, presented by TD
·       Cocktail en Blanc, presented by Revline Industries
·       The Red & White, presented by Pfizer, Broccolini, Revline Industries and ScotiaBank. Sold out 3 months in advance and achieved record-breaking fundraising results.

Third-party fundraising initiatives
·       The 5th edition of National Bank's Bikes for Youth
·       BMO's Sip, Savour and Support fundraising event

The organization also conducted three community-wide fundraising campaigns throughout the year, including its 65,000 West Islanders in Need campaign, the “Double the hope” holiday matching campaign supported by the Tenaquip Foundation, and the “2X More Impact” spring matching campaign supported by generous anonymous donors from Baie-D'Urfé.

West Island Community Shares also announced the addition of a new funded organization, Île des Amis, which provides long-term supportive housing and community-based mental health services for adults living with mental health challenges.
In another significant development, the organization increased its maximum annual grant allocation from $50,000 to $60,000, enabling greater support for organizations responding to increasingly complex and growing community needs.
The organization was also recently named a finalist in the West Island Chamber of Commerce's Accolades competition in the Non-Profit Organization category, recognizing its leadership and impact within the community. The winner will be announced at the Accolades Gala on June 18, 2026.

"For nearly 30 years, West Island Community Shares has connected donors with community organizations working every day to improve lives," said Xavier Lalonde, President of the Board of Directors. "This record investment reflects the strength of our network and our collective commitment to ensuring that every neighbour has access to the support they need to thrive."

​As community needs continue to evolve, West Island Community Shares remains committed to providing stable, predictable, and sustainable funding to the organizations working on the front lines every day. Together, these organizations are building a stronger, healthier, and more inclusive West Island for everyone.

​Photo Credit: Joudi Moktar.
Photo caption: Members of the West Island Community Shares Board of Directors and staff gather at the inaugural Célébration Partage-Action at the Pierrefonds Cultural Centre on June 9, 2026. During the event, the organization announced a historic $1.525 million investment in over 40 local community organizations serving more than 65,000 West Island residents.
Front row, left to right: Elias Bakakis (Board Member), Racha Aoude (Events Director), André Kayal (Board Member), Samia Medelci (Board Member), Vincent Lamoureux (Board Member), Chantal Carrier (Board Member and Fund Distribution Committee President), Meagan Somerville (Executive Director), Teresa Broccolini (Board Member), Xavier Lalonde (Board President), Claude Papasian (Board Member), Claude Gagné (Communications Coordinator), and Thalia Chronopoulos (Director of Donor Relations).


Not pictured – Board Members: Michel Béland, Nouha Fadlallah, Kamran Ghazian, Peter Giakoumatos, Me Jean-René Paquette, Anne-Marie St-Pierre, Eric Tadros, and Sara Lande.
Not pictured – Staff: Mélanie Groulx (Director of Community Impact) and Sara Sorial (Accounting).