Because you give, students are following their dreams
You know education is life-changing, for the individual and their entire family.
You understand that a quality education needs to be accessible for those leaving high school to single parents in their 30s and 40s.
You know educated employees are at the heart of our region’s businesses, enabling them to grow and thrive.
Thanks to people like you, we are transforming lives and communities. Join us.
Ways to give
There are many ways to impact students. From leaving a gift in your estate to establishing a fund for student awards, learn how you can transform lives.
Your impact
I am a first year BSN student and a mother of a 4-month old baby. I am truly honoured to be chosen as a scholarship awardee of the Rotary Club of Kelowna Foundation.
I appreciate the help that the foundation has extended to me as I struggle to make both ends meet as I fulfill my roles and responsibilities as a mother, wife, and student. Knowing that there is a foundation that is very much supportive of students like me, it motivates me more to pursue my goal to be a Registered Nurse in three years.
Also, the Rotary Club of Kelowna Foundation inspires me to give back to the community one day. Thank you so much. -- Maria Agpaoa
“This award shows me that hard work and commitment are as important to others as they are to me. I feel motivated knowing that there is a community supporting me as I realize my dreams.” -- Terra Laurin
"I've been a career bartender for about 14 years and have had a hard time justifying making a career change. With your assistance I have been able to take a load of stress off of my new family's shoulders and really focus on my course. I would like to say that you have no idea how important this is and how much it means to me and my family, but you clearly do." -- Jason Vaness
Get involved
Book a tour
Contact us to take a socially-distanced tour of our new Health Sciences Centre or any of our four campuses. Email foundation@okanagan.bc.ca to book a tour.
Volunteer
We are looking for engaged community leaders to join our Board of Directors. Send your resume to: foundation@okanagan.bc.ca
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 the transformative power of education. 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.
Charitable Registration #86248 8194 RR0001
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
- Sue Beaudry
- Ms. Connie Denesiuk
- 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
- Dr. Steve Tuck, President Emeritus
Okanagan College Foundation Board of Directors
This year’s Annual Report is teeming with stories and stats that show how generous donors like you are transforming lives and our community.
Learn how a landmark gift from the Stober Foundation will support health and well-being for decades to come. Read how a Vernon Bachelor of Business student is volunteering her time to teach high school students financial literacy.
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 Executive Director of the Okanagan College Foundation and Director of Advancement at Okanagan College.
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 of Advancement 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.
In 2020, Dawn was recognized by Okanagan College and her peers with the Career Achievement Award, highlighting her dedication to the College and passion for supporting students.
Samantha Blandon
Samantha serves as the Campaign Coordinator for the Advancement department and Okanagan College Foundation. 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.
In 2019, Samantha was recognized by Okanagan College and her peers with a Service Excellence Award for consistently going beyond her regular duties and responsibilities to meet the needs of Okanagan College and contribute to our culture of service excellence.
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.
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
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 to 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).
Jeunesse Mirbach
Jeunesse joined the team as Division Assistant on March 29. She supports the team on all activities and will play a particularly important role in coordinating events.
Prior to joining the Advancement team, Jeunesse worked with the B.C. First Nations Gaming Revenue Sharing Limited Partnership that sees a 23- year agreement with the Province of B.C. and B.C. First Nations to share approximately $3 billion in gaming revenue.
Jeunesse graduated from Grant MacEwan University in 1999 with a Public Relations diploma and has worked for a number of non-profit organizations, specifically in culture and social services. After returning to Canada after more than ten years in the U.S., she has a renewed sense of purpose and is excited about joining the Okanagan College Foundation team because of the positive impact we have on the lives of students and on our community.
She is happy to make Kelowna her forever home with her family – a husband and two daughters (aged seven and 10).
Help transform lives and communities