Grant and Funding Programs Offered by State of Kindness Foundation (SOK)

State of Kindness Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to expanding access to post-secondary education for promising young people in Ontario who face financial adversity. Through the State of Kindness Scholarship Fund, it provides substantial financial support, mentorship and a strong community network so that students can pursue university, college or other eligible programs across any field of study.

The academic scholarship program offers up to $15,000 CAD per year in funding toward eligible education expenses, tenable for up to four years, at any recognized post-secondary institution. Support is not limited to a particular discipline, which allows students to choose programs aligned with their interests and career goals while reducing their financial burden.

The Foundation focuses on Canadian citizens or permanent residents who live in Ontario and are in their final year of high school, entering full-time post-secondary studies in a bachelor’s degree, diploma or certificate program. Applicants must demonstrate a minimum academic average and, importantly, have experienced financial adversity. Selected students become Ambassadors who join a connected network of industry professionals, community leaders, mentors and alumni.

To apply, students submit reference letters, a résumé, transcripts and a reflective “About Me” essay. Clear guidelines, eligibility criteria and an online application portal support a transparent and equitable selection process.

Beyond direct financial aid, State of Kindness Foundation invests in students’ personal and professional development. Its programs emphasize inspiration, empowerment and connection: helping students live meaningful lives, build leadership skills and benefit from mentorship. The Ambassadors and scholarship recipients highlighted on the site illustrate the breadth of impact across institutions and study areas, from engineering and computer science to social sciences and the arts.

The organization is guided by a volunteer Board of Directors and an executive team committed to growing a culture of kindness. It collaborates closely with corporate sponsorship partners, donors and community organizations to sustain and expand its scholarship offerings. Donations—processed through CanadaHelps—and sponsorships are explicitly directed toward funding education, mentorship programming and opportunities that enrich students’ academic experiences.