Introduction
The purpose of the Abbotsford Community Foundation (ACF) Student Awards Program is to increase access to post secondary education by granting scholarships, bursaries and other awards to students graduating from participating public and private secondary schools in the city of Abbotsford. ACF provides approximately 300 awards each year funded by the income from student award endowment funds and support from annual student award donors.
Student Award Endowment Funds
More than 80 generous community organizations, businesses, families and individuals have established permanent endowment funds with ACF to support student award(s).
The minimum donation required to establish an endowment fund is $10,000. However, a donr may start an emerging fund with a gift of $5,000 with the understanding that if the fund does not reach $10,000 within three years, the monies will go into the ACF Student Award Endowment Fund.
The income the funds the awards to graduating Grade 12 students of the public and private high schools in Abbotsford that participate in ACF's STudent Awards Program. They include the following schools: Abbotsford Collegiate, Abbotsford School of Integrated Arts (A.S.I.A.), Abbotsford Traditional Secondary, Bakerview Centre for Learning (formerly A.C.E.), Mennonite Education Institute Secondary (M.E.I.), Rick Hansen Secondary, Robert Batemean Secondary, W.J. Mouat Secondary and Yale Secondary.
Annual Student Awards
This year over 87 organizations and individuals are supporting our graduating Grade 12 students by funding annual awards. The amounts of these awards usually range from $500 to $2,500. The name of the award is chosen by the donor as is the criteria for receiving it. The foundation is required to ensure the award criteria meet Canada Revenue guidelines.
Donors may participate in an advisory capacity by recommending the recipient or they may elect to have the Student Awards Selection Committee evaluate the applications and make the choice on the donor's behalf. The Selection Committee consists of one staff member, usually a School Counsellor, from each participating school, and an Abbotsford Community Foundaton staff member.
Donations to the ACF Student Awards Endowment Fund
Donations to the Student Awards Endowment Fund ensure there will be funds available for student awards in Abbotsford in perpetuity.
Establishing a Named Student Award Ednowment
You can create your own named student award endowment fund with a minimum donation(s) of $10,000. Please call Susan McAlevy at 604-850-3755 for more information on how to create a fund.
Established an Annual Student Award
You can create an annual student award with a minimum award amount of $1,000 and a three year minimum commitment to fund the award. For more information call 604-850-3755.
Golden Donors
A "Golden Donor" is an individual or organization that has established a student award endowment fund with a gift of $100,000 or more. Our current "Golden Donors" include:
Abbotsford Rotary Club
Beatrice Marchant
Bertram A. Bickford
Calder-Giacchini
Hartley & Roslin Lovick