Community Foundation Grey Bruce (CFGB) announced two new education grants available for local students this spring.
The foundation created the Sydenham Optimist Fund for Education Award (SOFEA) and the Bachiu Family Visual Arts Bursary, a pair of $500 grants available for post-secondary students.
SOFEA is available for local students who have shown exceptional commitment to their community through volunteering and participation.
“We’re fundraising as a group and encouraging people to make a donation to help us grow this fund so we can award more students, and have a larger impact on their tuition,” says Optimist Heather Lovely.
The Bachiu Family Visual Arts Bursary is for a student returning to their post-secondary program in a field that may include ceramics, glass, sculpture, printmaking, textiles and more. The grant is named for Wendy Bachiu, who worked for CFGB as the Grant and Scholarship Coordinator for many years.
“I knew a bursary would help local students who are continuing their studies in Visual Arts programs. Both my children and I graduated from visual arts, and my husband was an avid photographer, so the focus of the bursary was a very obvious choice,” she says.
In total, there are over 30 education grants available through Community Foundation Grey Bruce that will award more than $132,000 to students this year. The deadline to apply for most is May 31.
Students and parents should visit the CFGB website or give coordinator Jennifer Isber-Legge a call at 519-371-7203 to learn more.
You can also donate to help grow SOFEA, the Bachiu Family Visual Arts Bursary or any CFGB Endowed Funds. Donors will receive a charitable receipt when qualified.