The Foundation was established as a charity and non-profit organization in 1984 to support fundraising for the college. Over the past 40 years, its work and mandate have expanded to support George Brown and its students through tremendous technological, economic and social changes. The Foundation's structure, with its volunteer board of directors comprised of alumni, business leaders and philanthropists, ensures its agility in working quickly and effectively with college donors to help George Brown College (GBC) reach its strategic goals.
Approximately 90 per cent of the donations the Foundation receives directly support student scholarships — in 2023, it raised an incredible $6.2 million. It has also secured significant contributions from generous long-term college supporters, including John C. and Sally Horsfall Eaton, Jack Cockwell and the DelZotto family, among others, who directly support students and encourage exciting growth and innovation across the college.
"I want to congratulate the George Brown College Foundation on its 40-year legacy. Through the activities of the Foundation, George Brown has been able to make significant contributions and be a force for positive change by preparing graduates for successful careers, supporting growing industries and building strong and inclusive communities across Toronto, the province and beyond. The college has been supported and benefited from the efforts of the Foundation, its volunteers, and its generous donors," said George Brown College President Dr. Gervan Fearon. "Thank you, and we know the college and the students and communities we serve will continue to benefit from your future endeavours."
Support that changes students' lives
Removing financial barriers to a George Brown College education
Student life is synonymous with tight budgets, especially amid the rising rents and grocery prices of the last few years, but many learners face other significant financial barriers that threaten their ability to achieve academic success or access higher education at all.
The Foundation builds and strengthens relationships with community and industry organizations and individual donors to ensure no student is denied a GBC education due to the financial burden and that access to education remains equitable. Donors work with the Foundation to provide financial support for students in various ways, including through tribute gifts, endowments, legacy gifts, establishing scholarships and bursaries and donation pages, and more.
"The Foundation was created to remove financial barriers for students pursuing an education at George Brown. The best way for us to do this is to ensure donations are used to their full potential with as much of those funds going to students as possible," said Dr. Cindy Gouveia, George Brown's Vice-President of Global Partnership and President of George Brown College International and the former President of the George Brown College Foundation. "The Foundation's distribution of donations also maximizes their impact. There are no administrative fees, so all funds raised go directly to students."
Student awards serve two important purposes: financial support and well-deserved kudos for hard work. Christian Sotouadeh, a student at the Angelo DelZotto School of Construction Management, won the Centre for Construction and Engineering Technologies Sustainability Award in 2023 in the first year of his program. After exploring a few options, he was nervous about returning to school to restart his post-secondary education. His confidence grew in his first year.
"The truth is, not everyone will know what they want to do in life. However, you can never wait for it; you must seize every opportunity as if it were your last," he said. "I'm beyond grateful to receive an award commending all the early mornings and hard work that no one else sees, as well as minimizing the financial burden of tuition."
Related articles:
- George Brown College Foundation programs at work
- George Brown College Foundation at 40: Unmatched generosity
If you are a donor, the Foundation is encouraging donations to the Fresh Start program to celebrate our 40th anniversary. This program aims to improve access to healthy and fresh foods for George Brown students.
If you are a GBC student, find out how to apply for awards and scholarships.
Foundation Milestones
February 1984: The Foundation is established as a separately incorporated registered charity to serve as the primary fundraising vehicle for George Brown College. Guided by a volunteer board of directors, its mandate is to increase access to education by raising money to support student success through scholarships, bursaries and awards.
2008: The Foundation experiences significant growth in endowment funding as the private sector recognizes the quality and incredible potential of Ontario college students and the work of George Brown College in developing workplace-ready graduates and filling employment pipeline needs.
2013: The Angelo DelZotto School of Construction Management is established following a donation from Tridel and the DelZotto family. It marks the first naming of an Ontario college school.
2014: The Sally Horsfall Eaton School of Nursing is established following a $4-million gift from the John C. and Sally Horsfall Eaton Foundation. Sally Horsfall Eaton, a former nurse, was George Brown College's first chancellor.
2015: George Brown College receives the largest gift from an individual to an Ontario college — $8 million — from Jack Cockwell and the Brookfield Partners Foundation.
2021: Jack Cockwell donates an additional $10 million to the college. His incredible gift, totalling $18 million, contributed to the construction of Limberlost Place, the mass-timber building set to open at Waterfront Campus in January 2025.
