Contribute to Coady Scholarships

Why the world needs the Coady Institute

Through leadership and participation, ordinary citizens can bring about change in their lives and communities. However, to be effective in bringing about social change, two conditions are necessary: aware and confident citizens and strong and vibrant organizations.

The Coady Institute at St. Francis Xavier University is an international centre of excellence in educating citizen leaders. The Coady approach to development acknowledges the importance of citizen leaders in addressing the issues societies face. With our practical and relevant education programs and actionable research we are positioned to grow our core mission: to strengthen citizen leaders and promote community-driven development to build fairer, more inclusive and accountable societies.

To achieve our mission, we need the support of our friends. With fluctuating government funding levels, increased numbers of leaders applying to attend our programs and increased costs, we are asking our donors to make a personal investment in international leadership through scholarship support. In 2011, we raised close to $1 million in scholarships to enable community leaders’ access to Coady education programs. Building on our momentum we are seeking to build our endowment and annual support to provide $1.5 million in future scholarships.

Impact of scholarships

A Coady education has a multiplier effect; it has an impact on our graduates, their organizations and communities that lasts throughout their careers and lifetimes. Leaders are strengthened and empowered by the Coady Institute to address the challenges they face in their own societies and to share their knowledge to build resilient and resourceful communities.

During our programs, community leaders:

enhance their leadership competencies and their abilities to motivate and support people in addressing challenges
gain practical skills and tools to work with communities
learn innovative development practices grounded in action research
gain strategies for effectively managing development organizations, programs and projects
acquire strategies for nurturing a culture of peace and non-violence, and sustainable economic development
interact and learn from diverse development practitioners immersed in contemporary issues and challenges.

Investing in global leaders

Historically, close to two-thirds of our accepted candidates are forced to defer or withdraw their participation due to a lack of personal and organizational resources. Scholarships raised by the Coady Institute provide the needed support to help overcome this barrier to accessing a Coady education. Each leader who attends the Coady has made a personal investment in both time and finances. Participants are responsible for covering their travel and related costs, as well as contributing towards a portion of their tuition, room & board to the best of their abilities.

Full tuition scholarships are provided occasionally based on need. Scholarships provide the difference, ensuring dedicated leaders receive the education they need to improve their communities.

What do scholarships cover by program?

How are gifts used?

All gifts to the Coady Institute are deeply appreciated. We strive to connect our donors with the global community leaders they are supporting to provide a deeper understanding of the investment they are making through individual leaders and their work. We acknowledge all our generous donors in our annual report and share news of our graduates, events and programs. As well, for those donors making investments of $1,000 or greater, we recognize their investment in individual leaders.

Multi-year & endowed gifts

Multi-year & endowed gifts provide stability in funding and show confidence in our vision. For donors making annual gifts of $3,500 or greater, or establishing endowment funds with gifts of $25,000 or greater, it also allows you to have a stronger connection with the Diploma participant you are supporting. Your scholarship will be allocated at the beginning of the fall semester, providing opportunities over their 19-week program to communicate with the recipient and connect. Our multi-year and endowment donors will also receive a personalized report providing a personal message from your scholarship recipient and information on your endowment fund (if applicable).

Your support is important, and we welcome your contribution to the Coady Scholarship Fund. Please donate online now, or if you would like further information, please contact Erika Gunn, Fund Development Associate, at (902) 867-5264; Toll Free: 1-866-820-7835; via Fax: (902) 867-3907, or e-mail: egunn@stfx.ca.

On behalf of our participants, staff and community partners, our sincere thanks to all sponsors, donors, friends, and volunteers who are helping us bring leaders from around the globe to study at the Coady Institute. With your support, we will continue our commitment to building a better world for all people.

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