Role of the Farag & Ward Foundation in the funding ecosystem
The Farag & Ward Foundation is a Montreal-based charitable foundation created by Hani and Laïla Farag to honour their fathers, long-time educators Berti Farag and André Ward. The foundation focuses primarily on education funding, reflecting the founders’ belief in education as a path to long-term opportunity. It is federally incorporated as a registered charity and issues official tax receipts for eligible donations.
The foundation partners with selected educational institutions, notably universities in Montreal such as Concordia University, by donating funds that are then distributed as bursaries and achievement awards. These funds support motivated but less privileged Canadian students who require financial assistance to pursue recognized post-secondary education.
Funding streams: bursaries and awards
The foundation’s support takes two main forms: need-based bursaries and merit-based awards. Bursaries are offered through partner institutions’ financial aid offices, which manage application procedures and selection committees. Eligible students are typically Canadian students pursuing post-secondary studies who demonstrate financial need.
Achievement awards funded by the foundation are allocated by partner institutions according to academic and engagement criteria. Examples include the Berti Farag Science Excellence Award, given for the best undergraduate research project in Science at Concordia, and the André Ward Education Excellence Award, recognizing the highest GPA and strong community involvement at the end of a bachelor’s degree. These awards highlight student excellence in disciplines such as biology, science and education, with a particular emphasis on English-language education.
Community support and broader impact
Beyond formal bursaries and awards, the Farag & Ward Foundation is active in the wider Montreal community. Each year it organizes community initiatives, providing cash donations, gift cards, food, and household products to families in need and to organizations such as women’s shelters and local churches. Annual Christmas bag campaigns have reached dozens of families each year, illustrating a sustained commitment to direct relief alongside educational support.
The foundation’s approach combines recognition of academic achievement, support for students facing financial barriers, and practical assistance to vulnerable households. By working with established institutions and leveraging volunteer networks, it contributes to student success and community well-being in the Montreal region and beyond.
Governance, donations and sustainability
The foundation is operated by members of the Farag family, who also contribute through planned gifts and ongoing philanthropy. A notable planned gift to Concordia University helps ensure the long-term continuity of the Berti Farag Science Excellence Award and the André Ward award related to English-language education. Donors can support the foundation via e-transfer, cheque or online payment, with Canadian tax receipts provided for qualifying contributions.
Through its targeted bursaries, excellence awards and recurring community initiatives, the Farag & Ward Foundation plays a focused yet significant role in the educational and social support landscape of Montreal.