$1M one year early for One Thousand Women
June 15, 2012
NorQuest College student emergency funding campaign surpasses target.
EDMONTON – Thanks to an amazing level of community support, NorQuest College’s One Thousand Women: A Million Possibilities movement has surpassed its fundraising target of $1 million one year earlier than planned. The Million Possibilities Endowment Fund supports NorQuest students in the greatest need and speaks to the unlimited potential of women coming together to make a difference.
The target was reached during the third-annual One Thousand Women: A Million Possibilities summer luncheon at Edmonton Expo Centre on June 7, 2012. More than 550 people attended the event, including the Honourable Alison Redford, Premier of Alberta.
The luncheon raised $366,000, including $100,000 from a donor who wishes to remain anonymous and another pledge of $54,000 over five years. This brings the campaign total over the $1 million mark.
“We did it! We knew we could, but we didn’t know it would be possible in just two years!” says Wendy Kinsella, Chair, One Thousand Women advisory committee. “The power of women working together, along with the outstanding support of all our donors, is incredible. The One Thousand Women movement demonstrates that our community truly believes in our students and supports them in their academic journey.”
“The One Thousand Women: A Million Possibilities movement has done it one lead at a time, one connection at a time,” says Karen Faulkner, Director, Fund Development, NorQuest College. “And if you’re a man who would like to help, you are welcome of course!”
The need for the movement and the Million Possibilities Endowment Fund were inspired by NorQuest College students, some of whom experience financial challenges in their pursuit of education. The fund provides support to students whose perseverance and determination is hampered by a bad break, like medical emergencies or being short on rent. These hardships are often experienced by women at NorQuest, as almost 80 per cent of the College’s student population is female. All NorQuest students, male and female, are eligible to apply for funding.
While most post-secondary institutions offer emergency funding for students, NorQuest’s unique One Thousand Women: A Million Possibilities movement offers the College an opportunity to celebrate its strong relationship with students.
“It’s all about working together to realize what is possible,” says Dr. Jodi L. Abbott, NorQuest President and CEO. “By reaching the $1 million goal sooner than anticipated, we are inspired to explore even more possibilities. On behalf of NorQuest College, I’d like to thank our supporters for the real difference they are making in the lives of our students.”
The One Thousand Women advisory committee is meeting this summer to set a new fundraising goal. For more information on One Thousand Women: A Million Possibilities, visit www.1000women.ca.
For more information on this release or to schedule an interview, please contact:
Yuri Wuensch
Communications
NorQuest College
Office: 780-644-5924
Mobile: 780-288-3813
yuri.wuensch@norquest.ca
About NorQuest College
NorQuest is a Comprehensive Community Institution, based in downtown Edmonton, serving approximately 7,500 students a year throughout Alberta in full-time, part-time, distance and regional programs. NorQuest is the regional steward for the Edmonton region - encompassing an area from Camrose to Jasper and Drayton Valley to Whitecourt - ensuring access to post-secondary education. NorQuest provides high-quality learning opportunities that prepare graduates for careers and further studies in business, industry, health sciences, human services, early learning and education, and information, communication and design technologies. A leader in enhancing access to post-secondary education, the College is widely recognized for its foundational learning opportunities in academic upgrading, adult literacy, employment readiness and English as a Second Language education. NorQuest programming is sensitive to the cultural experience of Aboriginal learners, and learners for whom English is a second language. The College is a leader in meeting the needs of learners with disabilities. For more information, visit www.norquest.ca.