Lead the Way successes
Lead the Way Campaign
Donor generosity
The Lead the Way Campaign asked donors to believe in the potential for economic resiliency and social equity — even in difficult times. And, as always, our donors, partners, and supporters delivered, allowing us to build creative, innovative, and immediate initiatives to help students gain access to an education, reach graduation, and launch their careers.
The past 22 months have brought many challenges. They’ve also provided an opportunity: to identify students’ most pressing needs, respond quickly to those needs, and become more adaptable in how we deploy funds.
“Our donors and supporters gave generously,” says NSCC Foundation Director and Fund Development and Stewardship Committee Chair, Denise Pothier. “Their care and generosity will create opportunities, foster equity in education, and empower the next generation of leaders. The support for this campaign proves that our entire province is committed to working together to create opportunities and to remove barriers to education. With guidance from our community, we continue to prioritize the goals established through Lead the Way as we launch new programs, awards, and student supports,” adds Pothier. “Now more than ever, our mission is to work with donors and partners to create positive change for Nova Scotia through education.”
Central to Lead the Way is the new NSCC Rapid Response Fund (PDF 105KB). This major fund supports new bursaries, awards, supports, and programs and was established to provide fast and flexible solutions to changing and emergent student needs:
- The College Readiness Fund is a funding source for education-related support costs and complements existing programs at campuses across Nova Scotia — it aims to reduce financial barriers for students before they begin their program, so all students have the opportunity to walk through the classroom doors.
- The Job Readiness Fund (PDF 213KB) helps students and recent graduates successfully transition to the workplace by helping with costs related to industry certification and memberships, immunizations, tools, uniforms and more — so students can enter the workforce with confidence.
- Financial need-based COVID Relief Bursaries were awarded in spring and fall 2021 to help students persevere and complete their education.
- The new Mi'kmaw Indigenous Women's Legacy Award was created as part of NSCC's commitment to the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Calls to Justice. The award will be named after a woman from the Mi’kmaq community each year.
- The Fund also contributed to the Metro Emergency Housing program which is currently underway to expand province-wide to serve even more students.