Overview

The Minerva Foundation for BC Women established an Education Awards Program with British Columbia’s post-secondary institutions to help BC women advance themselves by continuing their education. The Minerva Foundation provides an infrastructure for foundations, individuals, associations and corporations to either establish an annual award or endowed fund, in order to assist women in furthering their education.  

Objectives

• Assist single mothers in advancing their education.
• Re-train mature women returning to the workforce after a long absence.
• Advance women in non-traditional fields of study.
• Assist immigrant and Aboriginal women and women with a disability to overcome educational barriers.

Results

Partnerships have been built with post-secondary institutions throughout the province to support the Minerva Foundation mandate of assisting women in BC to further their education. Agreements with the colleges and universities are between one and five years and generally include matching funding up to a predetermined level.

Accomplishments to date

• Over $1,000,000 in awards has been distributed province-wide since 2001.
• In 2007/08, nearly $250,000 in education awards will be presented. Through our Combining Our Strength™ initiative, $61,750 in additional awards will be presented to Aboriginal women in 2008.
• Over 300 women in BC have benefited by receiving a Minerva Foundation Education Award.
• Six universities, 18 colleges, and 3 private institutions in BC have Minerva Foundation Education Awards for women.
• Funds raised for Minerva Foundation Education Awards are matched in most cases by each university and college partner.

Existing Education Endowments

• Bob and Judy Hager Education Award UBC, Masters Degree in Business Administration
• Janet Fleck Ladner Education Endowment UBC, mature student
• Jocelyne Bourassa Education Endowment Women in sport
• Harrison/Buitenhuis Education Endowment SFU graduate student
• Mary Jane Urbshadt Education Award Women in any program
• Randy Sung Education Endowment Women in business or finance
• Suzanne Lee Education Endowment Women in education
• Minerva Cares Award Women caregivers
• Rix Family Education Endowment Women in science and technology
• Alexandra Thorpe Education Award Women in financial need especially those in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside

For further information about our Education Awards Program, please contact Astrid Prabhu at astridp@theminervafoundation.com

Establishing a Named Award Endowment

Criteria/Who might be interested? 

If you have questions about establishing an education endowment, please contact Angela Crocker at angelac@theminervafoundation.com.