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Bursary Awards Program

The North Eastern Ontario Children’s Foundation is proud to provide a number of awards and bursaries annually to deserving children and youth from the Districts of Cochrane and Timiskaming!

Our Bursary Awards Program provides much-deserved recognition, fosters confidence, and assists youth in pursuing their goals, in most cases through post-secondary education. The awards provide an opportunity for us to show our support and celebrate the accomplishments and achievements of children and youth.

2024 Award Categories

This year, there is a total of eight (8) award categories offered, with one (1) category open to the general public and seven (7) categories available to current or former clients of North Eastern Ontario Family and Children's Services (NEOFACS).

Each award category has different eligibility criteria. Please refer to the descriptions listed further below under the Eligibility Criteria section. Additional details are available in the downloadable application overview document.

Download Application Overview Document - PDF

Up to two (2) awards of $500 each will be awarded.

  • The Human Services Community Bursary is awarded annually to a youth who has demonstrated resiliency and who is pursuing post-secondary education in the human services field. The bursary is designed to recognize and support students who are committed to making a positive impact in their communities through careers in areas such as social services, healthcare, and education.
  • The recipient candidate can only benefit once from this bursary (other applicants may apply again in the future).
  • The award must be applied to costs associated with pursuing their chosen program in the human services field for any reasonable purpose such as tuition/registration fees, textbooks or related materials.
  • Must be:
    • A resident of the district of Cochrane or Timiskaming or has attended secondary school in the district of Cochrane or Timiskaming.
    • Presently enrolled or planning to attend a post-secondary institution or be registered in a recognized specialized program in the human services field for the academic year for which the bursary is awarded.

One (1) award of $2,000 will be awarded.

  • The Barbara and Douglas Martin Fund has been established by Mr. and Mrs. Martin of New Liskeard, who are loyal supporters of NEOFACS, specifically of the services offered in the Timiskaming area. The funds will be held in trust for the applicant until a letter of acceptance from the institution or employer is received.
  • Applicant(s) will:
    • Apply the award to costs associated with pursuing education, learning, training or employment
    • Apply the award to support their chosen career path;
    • Have attended secondary school in the District of Timiskaming;
    • Be a current or former client of NEOFACS; and,
    • Be a resident of the Timiskaming area.
  • Recipient(s) shall use the funds for any reasonable purpose for education, learning, training or employment, such as:
    • Tuition fees/registration fees;
    • Textbooks and/or related materials;
    • Employment-related expenses;
    • Equipment such as tools, permits, and licensing to enter the workforce or assist in launching a small business;
    • Pre-training for a program in which the individual has registered; and,
    • Other appropriate uses as determined by the committee.

One (1) award of $1,000 will be awarded.

  • The Children's Mental Health Week Bursary is supported by NEOFACS employee fundraising efforts and is awarded to a youth who has received child and youth mental health services from NEOFACS to support their tuition, academic fees, books, or other post-secondary expenses.
  • Applicant(s) will:
    • Apply the bursary to costs associated with pursuing education/learning/training at a post-secondary education institution or an accredited apprenticeship program in the province of Ontario;
    • Be a current or former client of NEOFACS in a child and youth mental health program; and,
    • Have demonstrated resiliency through their mental health journey.
    • Demonstrate success in any or all of the following:
      • Regular school attendance
      • Academic achievement
      • Community service and engagement (e.g. volunteering, mentorship, youth committees, etc.)
      • Gainful employment (casual, part-time or full-time)
      • Extracurricular activities/sports (e.g. at school, in the community or with NEOFACS)
    • Recipient(s) shall use the funds for any reasonable education, learning or training purpose, such as:
      • Tuition fees/registration fees
      • Textbooks and/or related materials
      • Pre-training for a program in which the individual has registered
      • Other appropriate uses as determined by the committee

One (1) award of $1,500 will be awarded.

  • The Donna Litle Award is in honour of a former client. The award is for a youth in care, former youth in care or young person who has been involved with NEOFACS and who is enrolled in a post-secondary education program, especially in Health or Social Services.

Up to two (2) awards of $1,500 each will be awarded.

  • The Endowment Fund is available to assist young persons involved with NEOFACS who are enrolled in post-secondary education.

One (1) award of $500 will be awarded.

  • The Diane Boucher Award is available to assist a Francophone youth who is currently, or in the past, been involved with NEOFACS and who is enrolled in post-secondary education.

One (1) award of $300 will be awarded.

  • The Parker Nixon Award is presented to a child or youth who has demonstrated resiliency and is recognized for reaching out and supporting others through their mental health journeys with compassion, kindness and support. The award is presented in memoriam of a youth from Timmins.

Up to two (2) awards of $250 each will be awarded.

  • The Recognition Award is given annually to two children or youth who have received mental health services from NEOFACS (current or past). The award recognizes effort and not solely achievement.

Selection Process

The selection committee is made up of employees of North Eastern Ontario Family and Children's Services (NEOFACS) who were selected by the North Eastern Ontario Children's Foundation. The committee will receive all applications and will evaluate them to select the best candidate according to the established criteria.

For most categories, funds will be held in trust for the selected applicant until proof of enrollment or employment is received.

Application Forms

You can download blank copies of the application forms in PDF format below.

Please note that we only accept electronically filled application forms. Handwritten forms will not be accepted. Signatures can be done either electronically or by hand. If you choose to sign the completed form by hand, please print it, sign it, and scan it for submission via email.

Download Application Form for NEOFACS Clients (Current and Former) - PDF
Download Application Form for Human Services Community Bursary (General Public) - PDF
Download Promotional Flyer - PDF

Application Deadline

Completed applications must be submitted by email to foundation@neofacs.org, no later than Friday, May 31, 2024, at 4 p.m.

For More Information

If you have any questions or require the application forms in an alternative format, please call 705-360-7100 ext. 5217 (Toll-Free at 1-866-229-5437/KIDS) or email foundation@neofacs.org.