Grant and Funding Programs Offered by Olympia's Gift Scholarship Fund (OGSF)

Olympia's Gift Scholarship Fund (OGSF) is a charitable scholarship fund dedicated to expanding access to business and entrepreneurship education for students of African descent. The fund supports learners enrolled in accredited Canadian and American post-secondary institutions, helping to offset tuition and key educational expenses so recipients can focus on their academic and professional goals.

OGSF offers two main forms of financial support: scholarships and bursaries. Scholarships are designed primarily to cover tuition costs and are normally awarded for amounts up to $5,000 per year, with the possibility of larger awards in exceptional cases where both academic excellence and significant financial need are clearly demonstrated. These scholarships can be disbursed in instalments over the duration of a degree or program, provided the student maintains eligibility and remains enrolled in an approved field of study.

Bursaries complement the scholarship offering by targeting professional and career development opportunities, such as association membership fees, conferences, and seminars. Bursaries may be renewed over multiple years and can also be combined with scholarships for the same recipient. Awards are based on a mix of academic merit, financial need, and broader engagement, including community involvement, extracurricular activities, and special projects.

To qualify, applicants must be of African descent, meet a minimum grade point average threshold, and either be enrolled in or accepted to a post-secondary program in business or entrepreneurship-related fields such as commerce, finance, accounting, economics, management, or marketing. The board of directors sets the number of awards available each year, publishes deadlines, and reviews all complete applications, including financial information and academic transcripts, before making final selections.

Funds are paid directly to educational institutions for scholarships, while bursaries are paid to students upon proof that the support is used for eligible development activities. Through this structured approach, Olympia's Gift Scholarship Fund plays a focused role in supporting the next generation of Black business and entrepreneurial leaders across Canada and the United States.