The goal is simple: One thousand women giving $1,000.
The One Thousand Women: A Million Possibilities movement is NorQuest’s plan to help create a $1 million endowment fund to help students in need and to create a network of philanthropy for women.
“It is more than just writing a cheque. It is getting together and working towards the same goal,” said Karen Faulkner, executive director for community relations and the foundation.
The movement began in April of this year and has already reached over $144,000.
The goal is to hit a $1 million by April 2013 and it is not just for women students.
“All students can benefit from this,” said Faulkner.
In the 2009-2010 school year, more than 600 students applied for assistance through the school’s Emergency Fund, but the school only had enough funds to assist 83 students.
“The demand is there year after year,” said Faulkner.
This fund will see $50,000 set aside each year to help students in need.
Donations can be done in a group, or can even be broken down over three years, making the donation $28 per month, or less than a $1 a day.
“We wanted to make it accessible to all woman,” said Faulkner.
“It is just an untapped source.”
Not only is this movement a chance for women to give back to the community, but it is also a chance for women to get together and network.
At each function, a student from NorQuest is on hand to speak to how the fund has personally helped them.
Donations do not need to exclusively need to come from women.
“We certainly will not turn men away,” said Faulkner.
