Establish a Student Award
Emily Carr University helps talented students access exceptional education through donor-funded awards. These awards ease financial pressure and support students in reaching their goals and creative potential.
You can also create a named award—in memory, in tribute, or in recognition of someone’s contributions. Our team will work with you to design an award that reflects your intentions while making a real difference for students.

Types of Donor-funded Student Awards
Donor-funded student awards can provide financial assistance (bursaries), reward academic achievement (scholarships) or support students in an alternative way (awards). Student awards should be kept as general as possible to ensure they are viable.
Endowed Awards
Endowed awards provide long-term support by contributing to the health of the University’s student awards program in perpetuity. Endowed awards may be established with a one-time gift of $25,000, through scheduled annual payments of $5,000 for a five (5) year commitment, or as a gift in your will.
- Additional funds may be added to an endowed award to increase its value
- Once the fund reaches maturity, a percentage of the annual interest of the invested gift (90% of the interest) is awarded in perpetuity. The remainder (10%) is re-invested to protect the value of the endowment over time
- An endowed award is awarded after the fund has reached its minimum balance and has earned at least one year’s interest on this amount
Annual Awards
Annual Awards make a significant impact, without the financial investment of an endowment. Annual Awards require a minimum gift of $5,000 or an annual gift of $1,000 with a five (5) year commitment ($5,000). Following the initial commitment, the fund may be renewed annually.
Award Types
Scholarships
- based on academic excellence (GPA)
- awarded in the spring and applied against the students’ fall tuition fees
- can be established as entrance scholarships (new students), current undergraduate student scholarships (students continuing in 2nd, 3rd, or 4th year), or graduate scholarships
Bursaries
- awarded based on financial need
- based on a complex point system that considers all aspects of a student’s financial situation
- awarded in March to accommodate end-of-year expenses after student loans are exhausted
Graduation Awards
- juried awards that are based on students’ work in the Graduation Exhibition and/or GPA at time of graduation
Aboriginal Awards
- awarded based on financial need, academic achievement, and/or community involvement
- awarded annually in the fall
Other Awards + Competitions
donations may also be made to the Emily Carr scholarship or bursary fund.
awards may be established based on other criteria
competition minimums are determined based on the involvement required
Fund Terms of Reference
Terms of Reference for any named annual or endowed award will be developed between the donor and the University to ensure that the donor’s intentions are clearly defined and agreed. The donor will receive an annual report on the financial status of their donation if it is endowed, as well as the name and program of the student award recipient(s) for most awards (the names of bursary recipients may not be released). Donors will receive an annual stewardship report and may also receive thank you letters from recipients.
Recognition
Emily Carr University of Art + Design is committed to being accountable to our donors. We also welcome the opportunity to acknowledge our donors through our donor wall, website, and other venues as appropriate. We will issue a receipt for income tax purposes to donors as per Canada Revenue Agency guidelines. Emily Carr’s charitable registration number is BN 88874 2046 RR0001.
How to Get Involved
If you wish to learn more about establishing a scholarship, bursary or award, or to contribute to an existing fund, please contact:
Kevin Bertram
Development Officer, University Advancement
Email: kbertram@ecuad.ca
Phone: 604-235-8650