News Detail
Founder's Fund Update
The Shawnigan year has officially begun and there is a wonderful uplifting energy as we welcome 500 students back to campus this week. Last week’s staff orientation showed yet again the commitment of our team to innovation and growth, with just one example being the launch of a ground-breaking new schedule that will promote academic quality, health and wellness of students and staff, and well-rounded development of our students. I am constantly inspired by the depth of commitment that this team brings to their work at Shawnigan.
I would like to update you on the Founder’s Fund that was generously supported by so many of you in our School community. The initial outreach to our Board of Governors, Foundation Directors, and SUSA Board in April/May demonstrated the exceptional commitment that our volunteer leadership has for Shawnigan and its families. We very quickly received pledges of $250K, with participation from 100% of our Board of Governors and Foundation Directors, and a majority of the SUSA Board.
Response to this broader Founder’s Fund appeal was also quick: 33 alumni, past parents, and staff stepped forward with donations, usually over and above their Annual Fund gifts, and 43 parents donated, often contributing their entire COVID tuition credit. Together with the Board contributions, I am pleased to report that we have now reached $440K in cash and pledges, and that we had already allocated $108, 100 to assist 12 returning families before the school year had begun. Many additional families have re-enrolled with confidence, knowing that this support is available should they need it, signing on for now to a monthly payment plan to make their best efforts to cover their tuition themselves. The Finance Department reports that payment patterns confirm the level of need in our School community and indicate that the Founder’s Fund will be a source of essential support as families face difficulty over the course of the year. Meanwhile, we are seeing a very encouraging level of demand from new families wanting to access the Shawnigan experience, so enrolment and waiting lists are stronger than ever going into the 2020-2021 school year.
We are so appreciative of your support in helping us attain this position of strength in such unprecedented adversity. The Founder’s Fund has been an exceptional collective effort, with our community pulling together to create a saving grace for many Shawnigan families as we work to bring all of our students “home” this September. We are deeply grateful and will continue to put our best efforts into the challenging journey ahead.
Greg Stevenson
Executive Director of Advancement & Community Engagement
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Response to this broader Founder’s Fund appeal was also quick: 33 alumni, past parents, and staff stepped forward with donations, usually over and above their Annual Fund gifts, and 43 parents donated, often contributing their entire COVID tuition credit. Together with the Board contributions, I am pleased to report that we have now reached $440K in cash and pledges, and that we had already allocated $108, 100 to assist 12 returning families before the school year had begun. Many additional families have re-enrolled with confidence, knowing that this support is available should they need it, signing on for now to a monthly payment plan to make their best efforts to cover their tuition themselves. The Finance Department reports that payment patterns confirm the level of need in our School community and indicate that the Founder’s Fund will be a source of essential support as families face difficulty over the course of the year. Meanwhile, we are seeing a very encouraging level of demand from new families wanting to access the Shawnigan experience, so enrolment and waiting lists are stronger than ever going into the 2020-2021 school year.
We are so appreciative of your support in helping us attain this position of strength in such unprecedented adversity. The Founder’s Fund has been an exceptional collective effort, with our community pulling together to create a saving grace for many Shawnigan families as we work to bring all of our students “home” this September. We are deeply grateful and will continue to put our best efforts into the challenging journey ahead.
Greg Stevenson
Executive Director of Advancement & Community Engagement
We acknowledge with respect the Coast Salish Peoples on whose traditional lands and waterways we live, learn and play. We are grateful for the opportunity to share in this beautiful region, and we aspire to healthy and respectful relationships with those who have lived on and cared for these lands for millennia.
Shawnigan Lake School is an independent co-educational boarding school for ages 13 –18 on Canada’s beautiful Pacific Coast. Our diverse, interdisciplinary and innovative programming helps shape the next generation of global leaders.
