Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberté’s One Drop Foundation is laying off its employees and winding down operations, The Gazette has learned.
The non-profit organization was founded in 2007 by the Quebec billionaire. The decision, which was first reported by the Journal de Montréal on Friday afternoon, comes nearly two decades after One Drop was created.
Anne Dongois, a spokesperson for Laliberté, confirmed the foundation “issued a collective redundancy notice last week and is moving towards a non-operational mode by the end of the year.”
Reached by phone, Dongois said the decision comes after “months of reflection,” citing uncertainty because of the “current economic situation” and the complexity of continuing the foundation’s operations.
The layoffs will affect a little more than 25 employees in total, she added.
“The foundation will continue to exist, but the model will completely change,” Dongois said. “So it will be a non-operational foundation, so there won’t be any employees dedicated to the foundation.”
Laliberté, who also is a member of the board of directors for One Drop, issued a letter to the foundation’s partners earlier this week, informing them of the decision.
He thanked them for their efforts to help improve access to safe water and saying “this decision was not made lightly.”
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The full letter from Laliberté can be read below:
A message from Guy Laliberté, Founder of the One Drop Foundation
Dear friends, collaborators, partners and supporters,
For nearly two decades, One Drop has been driven by a simple but powerful belief: access to safe water is not only essential; it is transformative.
Since its creation, the Foundation has worked alongside communities, partners, and changemakers around the world to improve access to water, sanitation and hygiene through innovative, sustainable and human-centered approaches. Together, we have reached and improved the lives of more than 3 million people.
This impact would not have been possible without you.
Today, I am writing to share an important evolution in our journey.
After careful reflection, the Board of Directors has made the decision to transition the One Drop Foundation to a non-operational model over the coming months. As part of this transition, the Foundation’s activities will gradually wind down led by a core team that will make sure we support our partners in the field, and that we meet all our commitments and responsibilities.
This decision was not made lightly. While this may mark the end of a chapter, it also offers an opportunity to reflect on what we have built together.
One Drop has always been about pushing boundaries, rethinking how social change can happen by placing people, creativity and dignity at the center. While the operational structure of the Foundation is changing, the values that have shaped our work – and the impact we have created together – will endure.
What we created was never only about programs. It was about the belief that when people come together with purpose, extraordinary change is possible – proving that art can be a catalyst for change, that water can be a pathway to equity, and that collective action can reshape futures and empower communities.
To every donor, partner, ambassador, employee, collaborator, supplier and community member who walked alongside us: thank you.
Thank you for your trust. Thank you for your courage. Thank you for believing that bold ideas can create lasting change.
The impact we have made together will continue to ripple far beyond this transition.
And while this chapter is closing, the values that shape One Drop – creativity, humanity and the conviction that every person deserves access to safe water – will continue to guide what comes next.
With deep gratitude,
Guy Laliberté
Founder, One Drop Foundation