Education is the cornerstone of a healthy community.

Each year, YMCA educational awards provide critical financial support that enables YMCA members, staff, volunteers, or participants to access programs to further their knowledge, training or skills development.

Each of the awards has specific criteria and requirements.  Please read the descriptions carefully and click on the link provided for further information about applying.

DESCRIPTION OF AWARDS

The J.H. Gundy Award is offered in memory of “a great Canadian gentleman, an eminently successful businessman, and one whose life was a great example and inspiration to all who knew him”. An amount of up to $1,000 annually will enable full-time YMCA management and program staff to complete undergraduate or graduate studies or other specialized courses to further their YMCA career.

The J.H. Gundy Award Application PDF

The S.J. Moore Award is offered in memory of “one of Canada’s great business innovators and religious leaders”. An amount of up to $2,000 annually is available to YMCA staff who have demonstrated qualities of leadership and wish to continue toward the development of a spiritual personality and building an inclusive society.

The S.J. Moore Award Application PDF

The Donald S. McCuaig Leadership Development Award will provide an opportunity for professional staff or volunteers, who work directly with youth groups in physical education or sports activities, to improve their leadership abilities and grasp the values that are the foundation of YMCA programming. This award is intended for the training of those staff or volunteers who give direct leadership to leader training corps, competitive sport teams*, and physical activity clubs for youth that are designed and conducted in such a way as to keep the youth involved over a period of several years. An amount of up to $1,000 is available.

*Competitive sport teams governed by the ‘every participant is a winner’ philosophy and practices that place the welfare of the participant before the winning of medals.

The Donald S. McCuaig Leadership Development Award Application PDF

The Rix Rogers Community Builders Award is offered in memory of “an outstanding community leader who championed the YMCA’s vital role in building stronger communities through collaborative solutions with community partners”. An amount of up to $2,000 annually is available for the training of staff who give leadership to supporting the YMCA’s efforts in community building. This leadership will be demonstrated through the mobilization of exceptional initiatives that confront community issues affecting individuals and families (e.g. youth-at-risk, child abuse, homeless youth, etc.)

The Rix Rogers Community Builders Award Application PDF

The Mary and Murray Shantz YMCA Leadership Development Program is made possible through the Shantz’s generous donation. With the broad purpose of supporting YMCA Leadership Development, this program will enable post-secondary students to be placed in internships in YMCAs or YMCA-YWCAs in Canada. It is anticipated that this Program will attract young people to a career in the YMCA by providing them with an internship or field placement during their post-secondary studies. Each year, a percentage of the income produced by the original investment will be used to cover the costs of 1 to 3 internships in YMCAs or YMCA-YWCAs across Canada. For 2018, the total amount available is $50,000. Any Association can submit an application to host an internship. Funds will be provided directly to the Association to be used to support travel, training, stipends, etc. to help the intern get the most out of their experience.

The Mary and Murray Shantz YMCA Leadership Development Program Application PDF

The C.F. Basil Tippet Volunteer Award has been established through donations from Tippet Richardson Limited and the Tippet Foundation in recognition of the outstanding leadership of C.F. Basil Tippet to the YMCA in Canada. The purpose of this Award is to recognize the achievements of a young YMCA or YMCA-YWCA volunteer who is a positive role model for children, youth, and young adults both in their YMCA or YMCA-YWCA and in their community. Each year, $1,000 will be awarded to a young YMCA volunteer to be used to further their personal development.

The C.F. Basil Tippet Volunteer Award Application PDF