The German Benevolent Society (Deutscher Hilfsverein) was a not-for-profit corporation and a registered charity. Its benevolent activities consisted in providing support and companionship to elderly singles and/or sickly German-speaking residents of the Ottawa region and to offer support in form of donations, care and counsel to fellow citizens in need.

The Society also pursued a social-cultural goal, namely, to preserve and promote the customs and culture of the German-speaking countries by means of social get-togethers.

On 9 May 2015, as the Benevolent Society celebrated its 60^th anniversary, it was officially dissolved. The Board was now old (average age over 80) and no new members were willing to step forward and carry on the work of the Society.

The Goethe Institut is an organization dedicated to teaching German and making German culture visible in the rest of the world. Each Goethe Institut offers a variety of cultural activities, such as films, plays, book readings, etc.

The Goethe Institut has three branches in Central Canada:

• Montreal
• Ottawa
• Toronto

The Viennese Ball of Montreal is an annual ball held in Montreal to benefit various local charities. It is believed to be the oldest continuous Viennese/Austria Ball in Canada. For 52 years, this elegant gala benefit was known as the “Austrian Ball of Montreal.” In 2011, it officially changed its name to the “Viennese Ball of Montreal,” following the 2010 UNESCO decision to include “Viennese Ball” in its National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage. The decision honours the Ball’s proud tradition which originated in the 19^th century and highlights its continuing importance in today’s cultural calendar.