Role of The Percy Lanham Foundation Inc. in the funding ecosystem
The Percy Lanham Foundation Inc. is a registered charitable foundation created by educator Percy A. Lanham to support students who face financial barriers to continuing their post-secondary studies. Through the Percy Lanham Bursary, the foundation offers direct financial assistance to help cover tuition, books, supplies and, when resources permit, a portion of living expenses.
The foundation focuses on students enrolled at six major post-secondary institutions in Manitoba: the University of Manitoba, the University of Winnipeg, Brandon University, Red River Community College, Assiniboine Community College and University College of the North. Each year, the board of the foundation awards one or more bursaries at each of these institutions, with the number and size of awards determined by the funds available.
General approach to assessment and eligibility
While the precise value and quantity of bursaries can vary from year to year, the foundation follows consistent principles for adjudication. Applications are assessed by the board based on financial need, academic performance, participation in extracurricular activities and any other merits the board considers relevant. To be eligible, applicants must have already completed more than one year of post-secondary study and must have earned a minimum of 24 credit hours in the academic year prior to applying.
Applications must include a transcript to be considered complete, and successful candidates may be required to submit an official original transcript before funds are released. Because available bursary funds are limited, not all qualified applicants receive support; decisions and final selection rest entirely at the discretion of the board.
Supported audiences and overall impact
The Percy Lanham Foundation Inc. is particularly oriented toward students who, like its founder, rely on financial assistance to continue their education. By providing multiple need-based bursaries every year across Manitoba’s main universities and colleges, the foundation contributes to improving access to higher education for students from modest or financially constrained backgrounds, while also recognizing academic effort and community engagement through extracurricular activities.