Grant and Funding Programs Offered by Heritage College Development Fund

The Heritage College Development Fund is a charitable foundation associated with Cégep Heritage College in Gatineau, Québec. Created in 1996 and incorporated in 1997, it was founded to solicit and administer funds raised through a variety of fundraising activities in order to advance the educational mission of the College.

The Fund channels private donations and community support towards strategic priorities for the College. Initially, it focused on the construction and development of the College gymnasium. Over time, its priorities have expanded to include technological upgrades and the development of the library collection, helping to improve learning spaces and resources for students across programs.

In addition to supporting institutional projects, the Fund provides direct recognition to students through at least one named prize. The Heritage College Development Fund Kim Tysick Memorial Award is presented every year at graduation to a student who has overcome considerable challenges, demonstrated dedication and engagement in the college community, persevered to complete their diploma, and ideally is continuing on to university studies.

The Kim Tysick Memorial Award is granted on the basis of nominations, with clear qualitative criteria linked to perseverance, community involvement and academic completion. A nomination form made available on the College website allows staff or others to put forward candidates, and the Fund then selects the recipient. While detailed selection procedures are not fully described online, the process reflects a discretionary scholarship-style award administered by the foundation.

The main beneficiaries of the Heritage College Development Fund are Cégep Heritage College students and the wider campus community. Investments in infrastructure, technology and library resources enhance the quality of teaching and learning, while the annual memorial award provides targeted financial recognition to a deserving graduating student who has faced significant obstacles. Through these combined institutional and student-level supports, the Fund contributes to student success and the overall vitality of the College.