CONTENTS
- A Message of Gratitude
- 2021-2022 Financial Highlights
- Year in Review
- Celebrating Donor Impact
- Innovative Supports Launch Students into Careers
- Alumni Paying it Forward
- Rapid Response
- Enhanced Supports for Equity Seeking Students
- Building Resiliency in Our Communities
- Thank You to Our Donors
- A Letter from the Board Chair
- Thank You for Leading the Way
- Accountability
- Contact Us
A Message of Gratitude
Over the past year, you’ve helped us support students and alumni through the many challenges the world is facing, allowing students to focus on their education and careers with fewer financial worries. Despite barriers caused by COVID-19, we successfully surpassed our Lead the Way Campaign goal of $5 million, helped thousands of students when they needed it most, and celebrated a significant milestone - NSCC’s 25th Anniversary.
Students accessed an incredible variety of supports this year, all thanks to our donors. We often hear from students that these supports have made all the difference for them. Your generosity has a tremendous impact.
In the report that follows, you will find highlights from the past year, including:
- Communities coming together;
- Increased Rapid Response funding;
- New supports for equity-seeking students;
- Impact stories from students and alumni; and
- Wrapping up the Lead the Way Campaign.
As we approach the 2022-2023 academic year, we are excited to see what’s in store for the College, NSCC Foundation and Alumni Relations. We look forward to engaging with communities further about the progression of Sydney’s new NSCC Campus, how to continue improving student support and enhancing student learning at the College.
With profound gratitude,
2021-2022 Financial Highlights
Please find detailed, audited financial statements by KMPG LLP on our Financial Statements page here.
Year in Review
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
“As a single mother of two kids, I find it very difficult to make ends meet. This is an amazing award going towards a great opportunity that will help my household in the future. I am over the moon happy to be chosen. Thank you!”
Lacey Y. 2021 Recipient, Beth Murray Award; Harrison McCain Bursary; NSCC Shelburne Campus Learning Commitment Award; William Nickerson Community Involvement Award; Continuing Care, Shelburne Campus
Celebrating Donor Impact
Community rallies together in incredible show of strength, commitment and support
Kingstec Campus nature hike brings the community together
Mayra came to NSCC from Mexico and was experiencing the challenges of integrating into a new community. She met with Business Faculty, Shelley Meldrum and together, with local community group Flying Squirrel Adventures, they successfully planned and hosted a nature hike at the Kentville Bird Sanctuary. The hike brought together 35 newcomers and their families, fellow NSCC students, alumni and community members.
Thanks to donor support, students can access funding for learning opportunities outside the classroom, like this nature hike, providing them with unique and enhanced learning experiences.
J&W Murphy Foundation tackles food insecurity through NSCC Urgent Aid
With a strong commitment to addressing food insecurity for post-secondary students across Nova Scotia, J&W Murphy Foundation committed to matching gifts up to $3,500 from NSCC employees on Giving Tuesday. Together, $7,000 was raised, all in support of NSCC’s Urgent Aid program.
“This funding has taken a huge burden off me. I won’t have to choose between temporary food loss for my family or education. Thank you so much, my boys and I greatly appreciate the help in so many ways!” – 2021 Urgent Aid Recipient
Supporting community health and safety with Lysol
With community at the heart of everything we do, NSCC Foundation was proud to partner with Lysol to distribute 80 pallets of their in-demand sanitizing wipes across campuses, and to community partners YMCA, United Way and the John Howard Society - a donation valued at $376,000. A special thank you to Lysol for keeping our community safe.
Innovative Supports Launch Students into Careers
Sponsor-a-Student: From sponsored student to full-time employee
Ben first considered the NSCC Sponsor-a- Student program as a way to help pay for school but realized there was even more opportunity than he thought. He gained invaluable work experience in his field, then moved seamlessly into full-time employment.
“Sponsor-a-Student has had a great impact on my career; I wish any student looking to get into a new field the same success I’ve had with it. Thank you to everyone who has worked to make this program possible!”
Ben B. Recipient, BD Stevens Sponsorship; Architectural Drafting, Ivany Campus
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
“This award will give me the time to focus on my studies instead of worrying about my finances. My goal for the future is to become the best captain I can be. I want to be an example for all Indigenous and 2SLGBTQ+ youth that can have a role model to look up to. It’s important that the marine industry grows with society and becomes a more accepting and diverse industry free of discrimination and hate.”
Bryson S. 2021 Recipient, Tim Brownlow Marine Award; Marine Navigation Technology, Strait Area Campus
Alumni Paying it Forward
For NSCC’s 25th anniversary year, NSCC alumni were invited to join the College’s celebratory activities, where they made important contributions to their communities through volunteering, partnerships and donations. Celebrations kicked off in October, and included:
- 25th Anniversary Virtual Celebration (in partnership with alum owned business UP Public Relations) and the launch of the social media contest “How it Started, How it’s Going”
- The launch of NSCC’s 25-Minute Learning Series, showcasing alumni and faculty experts in three DIY videos filmed by alum-owned business, Arrow & Knot
- NSCC Kindness Project, which invited the community to carry out acts of kindness and share them on social media to spread positivity
- The launch of NSCC’s 25th Anniversary Fund, which successfully surpassed its goal to raise $25,000 for 25 years in support of Rapid Response
Rapid Response
Immediate supports for students keep them focused on school and on track for success
New awards for indigenous female students at NSCC: Helen Martin Leadership Award
Supporting future Indigenous female leaders at NSCC, this award honours the legacy of Helen Martin. Helen was an advocate for the rights of Indigenous women, an original founder and former president of the Nova Scotia Native Women’s Association.
“My goal for the future is to finish this program, and hopefully further my education in becoming a social worker. My main goal is to be better than yesterday, and so far, I am accomplishing that by continuing to strive with my studies along with peer support, and the support of my faculty.”
Brenda P. 2021 Recipient, Helen Martin Leadership Award; Sisters of Saint Martha Antigonish Award; Social Services, Strait Area Campus
New COVID Relief Bursaries support even more students
The pandemic caused financial strain for many, and put some students in the tough situation of wondering whether they could afford to stay in school.
“As a single Mom, with the help of this COVID Relief Bursary, I am able to continue my journey through Nursing School to become a successful nurse, and be able to give back as a frontline worker to my community and all of Nova Scotia.”
Ava-Gay H. 2021 Recipient, COVID Relief Bursary; Practical Nursing, Ivany Campus
IN SOBEY GIFT CARDS ALLEVIATE FOOD INSECURITY AND COST OF LIVING EXPENSES PROVINCE-WIDE
“Whether it’s groceries, gas or household needs, these gift cards give the students a little peace of mind and assurance that they can continue on. Knowing how their education will create so many opportunities in their future, it’s so important to help students reach graduation successfully. I see firsthand how these gift cards help to make this possible, and we’re so thankful for this support from the NSCC Foundation and its donors for caring about students and their success,” – Tony Adey, Manager, Student Services, Pictou Campus
Emergency Cost of Living Bursary helps ease the strain of inflation
“Thank you so much for making these available. NSCC and donors coming together to help make this stuff possible for students truly makes a world of difference, especially in COVID times.” – 2021-22 Emergency Cost of Living Bursary Recipient
Rapid Response funds new quiet space at Lunenburg Campus
Rapid Response impacts both province-wide initiatives and campus specific. This year, Lunenburg Campus accessed funds to establish a new Quiet Space on campus when Jeremy Porter, Manager of Student Services at Lunenburg Campus saw a vacant office space as an opportunity.
“This space and the resources within it will give those students a private, and secure place to decompress. Until this project came to be, our students in crisis really had no safe or confidential place to be… so now, we will be able to provide a respectful resource to students (and, perhaps staff) who may need it,” – Jeremy
Enhanced supports for Equity Seeking Students
Pathways to Shipbuilding leads Indigenous students to a career in the trades
This year’s Pathways to Shipbuilding program, in partnership with Irving Shipbuilding and the Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre, welcomed 11 Indigenous students to learn Pipe Trades at NSCC’s Institute of Technology Campus. This program creates pathways for Indigenous students to enter the shipbuilding industry.
“The Pathways to Shipbuilding program provides a safe education and training experience for students, rooted in culture and community, and with mentors that students can relate to. This opportunity helps students access an equitable and dignified education that they can build careers and lives on – the impact is profound.” – Denise DiGiosia, Senior Advisor, Mi’kmaq and Indigenous Initiatives, NSCC
Indigenous Student Support Program receives $45K Building Vibrant Communities Grant from The Province of Nova Scotia
The Indigenous Student Support Program was created to make education more equitable and accessible for Indigenous students at NSCC. The program provides financial support for both their educational costs and personal needs such as food, transportation, personal items, childcare or other expenses while attending school.
Along with students’ financial needs, the fund will also support hosting an Indigenous Elder from the community on campus to provide a safe space for students to seek guidance and counsel.
TK Foundation donates $250,000 in support of diversity and industry safety research
“This generous investment will grant more learners access to this vital sector and represents an important step towards making the industry safer and more welcoming for all seafarers.” – Captain Vivek Saxena, Principal of NSCC Strait Area Campus
TK Foundation Maritime Bursary details:
- 4 x $5,000 bursaries plus $1,000/month cost-of-living stipend
- For incoming students from equity seeking, racialized and other diverse groups
- Supporting Marine Navigation Technology & Marine Engineering Technology programs at Strait Area Campus’ Nautical Institute
A portion of the donation will also fund research into sexual violence prevention in the marine industry by evaluating learning outcomes from NSCC’s ongoing Sea Change course.
Indigenous and African Nova Scotian themed books bundles from Atlantic publishers distributed to all NSCC Campus Libraries
“Encouraging all students to engage with and learn from first-voice works is a key priority for NSCC Libraries and Learning Commons. We’re absolutely thrilled to include these titles in our collections,” – Debbie Costelo, Manager, Libraries and Learning Commons, NSCC
Building Resiliency in Our Communities
Scotiabank Entrepreneur-in-the-Making recipient launches new business: OK Sea Salt
"Access to start-up funds and capital has historically been more challenging to secure for female and non-binary entrepreneurs and BIPOC-led companies, so this is meaningful. It recognizes my entrepreneurial endeavour and vision as a viable investment,” – Kim
The funding helped kick-start the business, opening OK Sea Salt officially in May 2021. Despite opening during the pandemic, Kim witnessed a surge in e-retail for their business during the lockdowns as more businesses and consumers were spending money online, rather than in person.
Read the full story here!
Hear from our donors:
Folk Family – Established a $1 million endowment to fund the Adam Folk Memorial Award
“NSCC is the largest and best provincial institution and organization that provides trades training. Helping open more spaces and support more students is a win-win for everyone and we believe the College’s track record will ensure that this gift will go a long way to support good outcomes by a very good institution” – Marcia Folk on behalf of the Folk Family
Women Innovating in Nova Scotia (WINS) Bursary – Doubled number of awards for 2021 in response to COVID
“We appreciate our partnership with NSCC, which has been in place for over a decade. It has been encouraging to see an increasing commitment to women, and to diversity, through the evolution of the bursary. We are pleased to be able to support deserving students each year and look forward to continuing this partnership.” – Nova Scotia Advisory Council on the Status of Women
A letter from the Board Chair
It has been an honour to serve another year as chair of the NSCC Foundation Board of Directors. I feel grateful to do so alongside an experienced and invested board.
Seeing the progress made by the NSCC Foundation over the last year has been inspiring to watch. As we embark on the 2022-2023 fiscal year, I am confident that the NSCC Foundation team will continue to deliver on our promise of reducing barriers for students pursuing post-secondary education. With passion and perseverance, they consistently respond to donor and student needs with their commitment to enhancing student success.
On behalf of the Board, I want to thank Michelle Bussey for her leadership and the Foundation team for helping NSCC students in these turbulent times.
On behalf of the Board, I want to thank you for supporting NSCC students. As a province and as communities, we must utilize the collective strength we have to create a stronger future together - not only for the students but for all Nova Scotians.
Thank you for leading the way
As we wrap up the Lead the Way Campaign, I am humbled to see the number of donors that stepped up to help motivate, encourage and support students. Through Rapid Response, students received immediate financial relief, campuses supported their communities, and innovative solutions were created. From the bottom of my heart, thank you!
I’d like to thank everyone who took part and gave to the Lead the Way Campaign. The culture of philanthropy at NSCC is like no other, we saw support from our donors, employees, alumni, retirees, volunteers, industry and community partners. Together, because of donors and community members like you, we continue to strive towards positive change and impact for our students, our communities and the province.
I look forward to watching the future generations of NSCC students and alumni prosper thanks to our community’s outstanding generosity.
Accountability
NSCC Foundation is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors comprised of community leaders and professionals dedicated to helping students realize their full potential. Our volunteer board is responsible for advocacy, fund development, stewardship and grant making related to donor gifts. Protecting donor rights and privacy through high ethical standards and transparency in our fundraising and financial practices is paramount to the Foundation. We are also fortunate to have several skilled external members on our Board sub-committees dedicating their expertise and time to the oversight for the work of the committees.
Thank you. Your support is making a difference
NSCC Foundation
foundation@nscc.ca | nscc.ca/foundation
NSCC Foundation is a member of the Canadian Council for the Advancement of Education and The Association of Fundraising Professionals.
Registered Charitable Number: 887210318RR0001
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