Montreal, January 13th 2026/ Ascension Foundation, a fully volunteer-based non-profit organization that supports high-level amateur athletes from Quebec, is closing its first full year of operations by exceeding its objectives. A total of $23,650 has been given to 27 athletes from 13 different sports disciplines since December 2024. This surpasses the target of $20,000 to 20 athletes that the organization set when it launched in 2024.

 

A record final semester

Closed on November 30, the third financial aid cycle alone made it possible to distribute $9,900 to 21 athletes from 12 disciplines. During the semester, the Foundation also gave $1,850 in special financial aid to recognize the outstanding results of certain athletes, in addition to facilitating $1,350 in direct sponsorships.

Juliet Hughes, a financial aid recipient and slopestyle freestyle skier, says: “I am deeply grateful for the support from the Fondation Ascension, which allows me to pursue my athletic journey with confidence and motivation. Knowing that people believe in my project as a young athlete on the Quebec slopestyle freestyle ski team gives me extra energy to continue fully committing myself and to progress every day.”

 

On the road to the Olympic Games

The Foundation is particularly proud to count Jordan Pierre-Gilles, short track speed skater, among its cohort, as he will represent Canada at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games. A special financial aid of $500 is awarded to each supporter athlete going to the Olympics to acknowledge their years of hard work to reach the top.

 

Remarkable growth thanks to generous donors

From 9 athletes financially supported in 2024 to 25 in 2025, this is remarkable growth that the Foundation owes to the generosity of its donors. Those who believe in and support our athletes in their pursuit of excellence play a major role in their development. The Foundation would like to offer special thanks to an anonymous donor whose exceptional contribution of $10,000 had an immediate and significant impact. This unexpected gesture made it possible to concretely change the path of several athletes.

 

“The results of this year would not have been possible without the generosity of our donors and the support of our corporate partners,” says Sophie Bouchard, CEO and founder of the Ascension Foundation. “I want to thank each and every one of them from the bottom of my heart. I also want to highlight the immense and immediate impact of the anonymous $10,000 donation. For our athletes who give everything they have to achieve their dreams, it was Christmas before Christmas.

 

I am very proud of this achievement, which represents more than a 15% increase over our 2024 objective, and we will do even better in 2026. The goal is to offer larger financial aid to more athletes, and I believe we can get there since several projects are already underway.”

 

Émile Bouvier, a sprint canoe-kayak specialist, says: “Thanks to the support from the Fondation Ascension, I can attend my winter training camp in California with the national canoe-kayak team and prepare for the upcoming international competition season, without the financial worries that often come with high-level sport. Thank you to the Fondation for equipping and supporting me, which allows me to fully focus on achieving my goals.”

 

Interested in contributing to an athlete’s journey? Make a donation at fondationascension.ca/en/donnez and receive a tax receipt. Follow the Ascension Foundation on social media to stay informed about our upcoming events, partnerships, and our athletes’ performances in competition.