How our bursaries help youth pursue their dreams.
We see the strength, talent, and potential in every fostered and adopted young person. Our bursary programs are one way we show them we believe in what they can achieve.
Each year, thanks to the generosity of our donors, we help around 30 ambitious young people attend college, university, trades, or other training programs.
Last year, we granted $92,000 in bursaries to 29 hardworking and determined students. The bursaries help cover tuition, living costs, and the essentials they need to succeed.
We currently offer three bursary programs:
- BC Orca Bursary Program: For current and former youth in government care. In 2024, we awarded 24 bursaries.
- Joy MacPhail Bursary: For one youth who joined their family through any form of permanency.
- Vancouver Film Studios Indigenous Bursary: For Indigenous people of all ages. In 2024, we awarded four bursaries.
More than financial aid, these bursaries are a message to youth: you’re seen, your future matters, and you’re not alone.
Meet Nat
Nat is a law student, advocate, and one of the 2024 BC Orca Bursary program recipients.
He graduated with honours in History from UBC and is now in his third year at the Peter A. Allard School of Law.
At our 2024 Celebrate Belonging event, Nat spoke about the difference this support has made in his life and why it matters:
“As a recipient of the BC Orca Bursary, I’m able to focus on opportunities that benefit my career and health. The support from the Belonging Network helps students like me dedicate themselves to education and growth.
It matters a lot that my worries nowadays are about my legal career, as opposed to whether I will have enough money to cover my necessities.
With the Belonging Network’s support, I’m able to make the best choices for myself. I’m not forced to make tradeoffs at my expense. This exemplifies the effect that generosity can have.
Without financial support throughout my education, I might not have been able to accomplish the same feats. I very well could be on a different path, even a tragic path.
The benefits I have received from support, such as the support from the BC Orca Bursary, have given me the freedom to choose my path and my struggles. I have been blessed with the freedom to forge a brighter future. Thank you all for making the world a much more positive place.”
Because of our generous donors, youth like Nat can dream bigger and go further. To keep that support going, visit belongingnetwork.com/donate. Every dollar counts!
