Grant and Funding Programs Offered by University Women’s Club of North York (UWCNY)

The University Women’s Club of North York (UWCNY) is a not-for-profit, volunteer-led club of about 150 members dedicated to advancing the status of women and supporting the education of women and girls. In addition to advocacy and community-building activities, the club plays a concrete funding role through its Scholarship Fund, which is registered as a charitable foundation. For more than 65 years, UWCNY has promoted post-secondary education for young women by offering awards and scholarships in partnership with educational institutions and community schools.

The club’s Scholarship Fund channels resources from member fees, extra donations, book sales and in memoriam contributions into a portfolio of awards. These include multiple scholarships at York University and its Glendon College campus, scholarships at Seneca College, and graduation awards for young women from several North York secondary schools. Amounts and basic criteria are formalized in a donor agreement with York University and in an awards and criteria chart shared with partners.

UWCNY’s funding focuses on education and empowerment of women and girls. Scholarships are generally aimed at young women pursuing studies in the arts and STEM fields at the post-secondary level, as well as high school graduates in the North York area who demonstrate academic promise and community engagement. The club’s Education Night and recipients page highlight the impact of these awards through testimonials from past scholarship holders.

Beyond its own scholarships, the club also raises funds for broader education initiatives. It contributes to the CFUW École Polytechnique Commemorative Awards, which support three female postgraduate students, and each year finances several high school students in sub‑Saharan Africa through the Canadian arm of CAMFED so they can complete their secondary education. These activities extend UWCNY’s funding impact from the local community to an international scale.

UWCNY works closely with institutional partners such as York University, Glendon College, Seneca College, the Toronto District School Board and the Toronto Catholic District School Board. Partner schools help identify eligible students, while the club’s Scholarship Fund trustees oversee governance of the fund. Current officers include a Scholarship Fund Chair, Treasurer and Secretary, alongside other trustees from the club’s leadership.

While the website does not present a centralized public application portal, it clearly documents the existence of multiple recurring awards, formal agreements with universities, and an established governance structure. Prospective students typically access these scholarships through their institutions, and donors can support the fund by contacting the Scholarship Fund Treasurer or using the club’s “Make a Gift” options.

The club’s stated purposes include the pursuit of knowledge, the promotion of education, and the improvement of the status of women and human rights. Its scholarship activities are integrated with advocacy on issues such as affordable housing, gender-based violence, health, and community supports. By combining financial awards with public education and member engagement, the University Women’s Club of North York contributes to a supportive ecosystem for women’s education and leadership in North York, across Canada and globally.