Okanagan College Foundation
$11M+
awarded to students since our inception.
492
number of students to receive awards in 2018.
5
buildings constructed, raising the bar on sustainability.
$13.75M+
raised for capital projects.
Who we are
Our mission is to support the transformative power of education. We raise money for capital projects and program support, scholarships and bursaries. We practice sustainable and ethical donor relations, financial management and governance to build long term assets for future generations.
The Okanagan College Foundation stimulates the interest of alumni, friends, corporations and foundations in enabling students to participate in learning at Okanagan College, the largest college in British Columbia east of the Lower Mainland.
Incorporated in 2000, the Okanagan College Foundation raises and manages private resources for the development and expansion of educational programs, services, capital projects, and student financial aid through scholarships, bursaries, and grants.
The Foundation is dedicated to assisting the College in building endowments and supporting the long-term academic and other strategic priorities of the College and to foster public knowledge and awareness of Okanagan College and the economic and social benefits that Okanagan College provides to the people of British Columbia.
Ways to give
Your generous help transforms lives and communities while supporting a skilled workforce.
OCServesUp
Okanagan College Culinary and Pastry Arts students are launching an innovative new program designed to hone their skills while providing nutritious meals for fellow students who are struggling financially.
Impact stories
OC Foundation Events
Foundation information
Supporting the transformative power of education
Okanagan College Foundation was created nearly 20 years ago with a mission to support student potential today and for the future. The Foundation stimulates the interest of alumni, friends, corporations and foundations in creating the best possible outcomes for students at Okanagan College. We raise and manage private resources for the development and expansion of educational programs, services, capital projects and student financial aid through scholarships, bursaries, and grants.
Okanagan College Foundation Board of Directors
Gladys Fraser was elected Chair of the Okanagan College Foundation in June 2019. Fraser has worked with Scotiabank for more than 30 years, serving as a branch manager in Kelowna and Vernon. Fraser is also an active community leader and is currently the President of the District Parent Advisory Committee in School District 22.
- Ms. Gladys Fraser
- Ms. Helen Jackman
- Mr. Paulo Araujo
- Ms. Connie Denesiuk
- Mr. Surej Dhillon
- Mr. Colin Edstrom
- Ms. Kimberly Gilhooly
- Mr. Jim Hamilton
- Ms. Sheri Hamilton
- Ms. Brea Lake
- Ms. Anne Marie Meehan
- Mr. Curtis Morcom
- Ms. Gloria Morgan
- Mr. Matt Nye
- Mr. Rob Phare
- Mr. Alan Sanderson
- Mr. Gary Swite
- Dr. Steve Tuck, President Emeritus
Students achieve big goals thanks to your support
As a result of donor support, students are realizing their educational dreams. Read some highlights of our 2018-2019 calendar year.
Employee giving
When you, as an Okanagan College employee give, it speaks volumes. This is because you have unique insight into precisely what's needed based on your close relationship to the College.
Meet our team
Helen Jackman
In 2019, Helen joined Okanagan College as the Director of Advancement and Executive Director, Okanagan College Foundation.
Helen is a relatively new arrival in the Okanagan, moving here with her family in 2017 to join United Way. Before leaving the United Kingdom, she was chief executive officer of the Macular Society, a medical research charity, where she led multi-million dollar research campaigns and oversaw significant growth.
Prior to that, she was executive director of programs at NESTA, where she built funding partnerships with government and industry.
She also recently joined the Board of the Journey Home Society, for which she co-chairs the Advocacy and Education Committee.
Dawn Douglas
An OUC alumna and 20+ year employee of Okanagan College, Dawn is the Executive Assistant to the Director, Advancement & Alumni as well as Board Secretary for the Okanagan College Foundation. She administers the day-to-day operations of the department, manages the Director's schedule, and coordinates Okanagan College Foundation Board meetings and activities.
Dawn oversees the Annual Charity Golf Tournament in Kelowna, the 50/50 Staff Lottery program and other events through the year.
Samantha Blandon
Samantha serves as the Campaign Assistant for the Advancement and Alumni office at Okanagan College. Her primary focus is supporting capital campaigns. She is responsible for coordinating meetings for the Campaign Cabinet, events and tours for donors and the community, and supporting the Director and Development Officers.
Prior to joining the Advancement team in 2013, Samantha worked with local societies and non-profit organizations. Her primary responsibilities were to maintain and grow positive relations, and to creatively enhance the service experience.
Samantha earned her Bachelor of Business Administration (with Distinction), with a focus in Finance and Marketing, from Okanagan College in 2013.
Richard McAdam
Richard is responsible for the receiving and processing of all donations and revenues generated from award appeals, special events and other fundraising activities for the Okanagan College Foundation and for Alumni Relations.
He maintains award files and ensures the database is updated. Richard works closely with the Finance department and Financial Awards Department. He coordinates special events for Advancement & Alumni, including annual awards receptions and monthly presentations, and assists with other special events.
Richard is an OUC alumnus, earning his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science in 2003, before going on to complete a Master's degree at Dalhousie University in 2006. Richard joined the Advancement team in 2013.
Anne Kirkpatrick
Anne joined the Okanagan College Foundation in January 2009 after a twenty year development career in Alberta. She plays a key strategic role in the Major Gifts program at Okanagan College, with a weighting on Planned Giving activities.
Throughout her career, Anne has been an avid supporter of the non-profit sector and is actively engaged with the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) and the Canadian Association of Gift Planners (CAGP). She obtained her fundraising certification (CFRE) in 1999 and has delivered numerous workshops and presentations throughout western Canada.
Holly Routley
Holly Routley joined the Advancement & Alumni team in April 2018 as Development Officer - Major Gifts / Capital Campaigns. She plays a key strategic role in the Major Gifts program at Okanagan College, with a weighting on activities related to capital campaigns, including the new Health Sciences Centre on the Kelowna campus.
Holly's professional and volunteer history have uniquely prepared her to promote and advocate health and education in the community. Holly previously worked as a Registered Nurse, as well as developed and delivered effective volunteer leadership programs across Western Canada for the non-profit sector.
Stepping into funds development professionally, Holly blended these passions to successfully lead the recent rebuild of one of our community’s oldest elementary schools. She looks forward to carrying forth what she has learned into the Health Sciences Centre capital campaign.
Camille Jensen
Campaign Communications and Marketing Specialist
Camille is responsible for campaign communications planning, public and media relations, and the creation of website content and other key publications.
Prior to joining Okanagan College, Camille has worked in a number of diverse roles from media, to business consulting, and launching a tech platform.
Camille loves helping people tell their stories. She feels very lucky to share the inspiring stories of students and donors alike, demonstrating first-hand the transformative power of education.
Camille has a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Philosophy and Economics (PPE).
Suzanne Newton
Suzanne provides key administrative support for the Advancement & Alumni division, across a wide variety of initiatives, including those of the Okanagan College Foundation. She helps ensure that donor, volunteer, award recipient and alumni records are carefully maintained. In addition, Suzanne supports special events, student award presentations and donor recognition activities.
In 2017, Suzanne earned her Bachelor of Business Administration in Management from Okanagan College. During her studies, she was a member of Enactus OC, presenting on social community projects across Canada.
She joined the Advancement & Alumni team in December 2018.