Grant and Funding Programs Offered by Upper Canada College Foundation

The Upper Canada College Foundation is a separately incorporated charitable foundation that exists to support Upper Canada College (UCC) in Toronto, Canada. Governed by its own board of trustees and managed by staff shared with the College, the Foundation’s primary role is the management and stewardship of UCC’s endowment, valued at approximately $150 million as of June 30, 2024. Through prudent investment and responsible spending, this endowment provides a long‑term, stable source of funding for financial assistance, scholarships and strategic educational initiatives across the College.

The Foundation’s activities are closely aligned with UCC’s values of learning, pluralism, service, community and wellbeing. In its investment approach it explicitly integrates environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors, seeking to minimize harm and to invest in opportunities that advance strong communities, social wellbeing, diversity, equity and inclusion, service to others and efforts to combat climate change.

Endowment income managed by the Foundation directly supports a wide range of beneficiaries within the UCC community. Approximately 20% of UCC students receive needs‑based financial assistance funded through endowed funds, helping to broaden access to the College. Other endowed funds support special initiatives such as the Horizons community outreach program, the Wernham West Centre for Learning, co‑curricular enhancements and departmental projects, ensuring that all students benefit from donor generosity.

Within the College, the Foundation’s capital also underpins internal grant mechanisms. A notable example is the Principal’s Innovation Fund, which awards grants to faculty and staff to explore research and development projects that enhance teaching, enrich student learning and improve operational effectiveness. Since its inception in 2018, this fund has supported projects in areas such as digital distraction reduction, AI‑enabled process improvement, immersive VR art and mindfulness‑based wellbeing initiatives.

While the Foundation itself is incorporated in Ontario and focused on Upper Canada College, related entities extend its philanthropic reach for donors abroad. The Upper Canada Educational Foundation in the United States and the UCC United Kingdom Foundation provide vehicles for U.S. and U.K. donors to support UCC with appropriate tax receipts in their jurisdictions. All of these entities ultimately channel resources to the College’s students, faculty and programs in Toronto.

The Foundation is committed to supporting UCC in perpetuity through careful endowment stewardship. Its board of trustees oversees investment policy, risk management and alignment with the College’s long‑term strategic directions. By combining disciplined portfolio management with values‑driven ESG considerations, the Foundation aims to generate sustainable returns while having a positive social and environmental impact.

Through its funding of financial assistance, specialized learning supports and innovation projects, the Upper Canada College Foundation plays a central role in making a UCC education more accessible and enriching. Its work ensures that donor contributions translate into transformational learning experiences and a vibrant, inclusive school community for present and future generations of students.