The value of each award is dependent upon financial market performance of the Foundation’s investments. In 2022, $118,400 was awarded to 37 local students.
Spring Student Awards Cycle- Application Deadline: 11:59 pm on May 15.
Fall Student Awards Cycle- Application Deadline: 11:59 pm on November 15.
The successful recipient of the Alan J. Witherspoon Memorial Fine Arts Award receives up to $3,500.
The successful recipient of the Bidder Bursary Award receives an additional $400.
The successful recipient of the Erwin Kloos Memorial Award receives an additional $400.
Arnold Ellis Scholarship Fund
Arnold Ellis wished that others could have the educational opportunities he never had. His legacy will support Columbia Valley students, in perpetuity, to reach their potential through education, ultimately benefiting their community and country. This fund was established in February 2004. Income from this fund will be distributed to provide scholarships and bursaries to youth attending training and education at recognized post-secondary institutions. This fund supports tuition and fees, as well as other expenditures such as travel, tools, books, work clothing and safety equipment, childcare, room and board.
Key Eligibility Criteria for the Arnold Ellis Scholarship Fund:
- The applicant is between 17 and 35 years of age
- The applicant has been a resident of the Columbia Valley for a minimum of five (5) years in their Kindergarten- Grade 12 years.
- Applicants are eligible to obtain a maximum of two (2) student awards (may be in non-subsequent years). Repeat applicants must have submitted a Letter of Impact for the first award by the deadline date (Deadline is January 31 for awards granted in the Spring Cycle and August 31 for awards granted in the Fall Cycle).
- This grant award is not intended for youth eligible or registered in the public school system.
- Currently attending, or planning to attend and accepted by, any accredited post-secondary institution in Canada (or internationally) for the purposes of education, trades/skills training or upgrading education.
Bidder Bursary
Established in October 2006. Income from this fund will be distributed to provide bursaries to youth attending training and education at recognized post-secondary institutions.
Erwin Kloos Memorial Fund
Established in 2017, income from this fund to support Columbia Valley students with post-secondary education with particular focus on students pursuing trades and technical schooling.
Alan J. Witherspoon Memorial Fine Arts Fund
Alan J. Witherspoon loved the arts. Through the Alan J. Witherspoon Memorial Fine Arts Fund his passion for the arts will live on. This fund will support Columbia Valley youth pursuing an education in the fine arts.
Key Eligibility Criteria for the Alan J. Witherspoon Memorial Fund:
- The applicant is between 17 and 35 years of age.
- The applicant has been a resident of the Columbia Valley for a minimum of five (5) years in their Kindergarten- Grade 12 years.
- Applicants are required to submit two (2) images of their present work.
- Mediums considered include but are not necessarily limited to: drawing, painting, ceramics, photocopy, sculpture, graphics, printmaking, calligraphy, architecture, design, woodworking, wood carving, music, and the teaching of any of the above.
Donor Advised Awards Application Deadline: 4 pm on April 29
The successful recipient of the Greg Constable Award receives $500.
The successful recipient of the Kinsmen Club of Windermere Valley Award receives up to $2,000.
The successful recipient of the Tom Sanders Memorial Scholarship receives up to $2,000.
Greg Constable Toyota Corolla Fund
The funds for this student award were raised in 2017 through the raffle of Greg Constable’s 1982 Toyota Corolla – the vehicle that he drove for 35 years to his job as the music teacher at the local high school.
The student must be residing with a single, unsupported parent during the last year of high school and must be enrolled in a diploma/certificate/degree program of two years’ duration or longer at a post-secondary institution.
All applicants must be a graduate of David Thompson Secondary School (DTSS) or Open Doors.
Award recipients are recommended by the DTSS Scholarship Committee and are approved by the Foundation’s Board of Directors.
This award application is included in the David Thompson Secondary School Community/Local Scholarship Application Form.
The Application Deadline is April 29th at 4:00 pm.
Tom Sanders Memorial Fund
Established in December 2002. Income from this fund will be distributed to provide post-secondary student awards (the Kinsmen Club of Windermere Valley awards and Tom Sanders Memorial Scholarships).
Award recipients are recommended by the Kinsmen Club of the Windermere Valley and approved by the Foundation’s Board of Directors.
All applicants must be a graduate of David Thompson Secondary School or Open Doors.
Award applications are included in the David Thompson Secondary School Community/Local Scholarship Application Form. Please note that an additional paper application is required for these awards and is available at the DTSS office.
The Application Deadline is April 29th at 4:00 pm.