CFUW Kelowna Education Awards Funds
CFUW Kelowna is an organization that strives to improve the status of women and encourage higher education for women so our awards are aimed at those who identify as female. To meet this goal we offer academic awards for students enrolled at Okanagan College through the Okanagan College Foundation and for students graduating from high school through the Central Okanagan Bursary and Scholarship Society (COBSS). Please see a summary of the awards we provide below and refer to the institutional websites for detailed award criteria.
Approximately $19,000-20,000 in awards is presented annually, generated from Club fundraising, endowment funds at Okanagan College Foundation and the Central Okanagan Bursary and Scholarship Society (COBSS), and Provincial Gaming Grants.
We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia for awards provided through funds from gaming grants.
Numerous thank you notes and conversations from appreciative award winners confirm that our efforts are making a difference. They help relieve some of the financial pressure students face and provide emotional support, encouragement and validation. Many of our award recipients have indicated that receiving an award has allowed them to pursue a higher education because it eased their financial stress. The community benefits from us supporting students studying locally. Research from UBCO shows that 60 percent of graduates remain in the Okanagan, helping to meet its employment, expertise, and economic needs.
How to Donate to Education Funds
CFUW Kelowna has a Trust Fund at the Central Okanagan Bursary and Scholarship Society (COBSS) and an Endowment Fund at Okanagan College Foundation (OCF). Currently, the OCF fund is self-sustaining (awards paid from fund income), the COBSS one is not (awards come from the principal). Anyone can donate to these funds and receive a tax receipt. See details below.
Donating to COBSS
Send a cheque or e-transfer to COBSS. Please indicate your donation is for the CFUW Kelowna Trust Fund Account #7060.
Address: COBSS, #316, 3001 Tutt Street, Kelowna, B.C.V1Y 2H4
Email: [email protected] The security question for e-transfers should be “What do we help students with?” and the answer is “education”.
Donating to OCF
Send a cheque made out to the Okanagan College Foundation or donate on line. Please indicate your donation is for the CFUW Kelowna Entrance Bursaries Endowment Fund 61012-1026
Address: Okanagan College Foundation, 1000 KLO Road, Kelowna BC V1Y 4X8
Online: https://www.okanagan.bc.ca/oc-foundation/donate-to-okanagan-college
Select “Bursaries and Scholarships” from the drop-down menu and add the award name in the “private message” field. Donors will receive an immediate receipt from CanadaHelps.
List of Awards
Okanagan College Foundation (OCF)
The awards at Okanagan College are based on academic achievement and financial need, with an emphasis on financial need. Selection is made by an Okanagan College Foundation awards selection committee in conjunction with representatives of the Canadian Federation of University Women – Kelowna.
1. CFUW Kelowna Bursaries Gaming Funds Three awards of $1,000 each for a self-identified female student with preference to a single parent who has completed a minimum of one semester in any degree or diploma program at the Kelowna Campus of Okanagan College and will be returning the following semester for further study. One additional award of $1,000 is also designated for a female in the Trades Foundation program. In 2024-2025 a total of 4 awards of $1,000 each were given.
2. CFUW Kelowna Endowment Awards Fund
At least one bursary of a minimum of $1,000 for a self-identified female student who is enrolled in a degree, diploma or certificate program at the Kelowna Campus of Okanagan College. The number and amount of the bursaries each year is based on the value of the endowment fund. In 2024-2025 three awards of $1,100 each were given.
CFUW Annual Awards Criteria and amount change based on available CFUW funds and discussion with OCF for areas of greatest need. In 2024-2025 one $1,000 memorial award in honour of one of our members for a student in the Therapy Assistant program was given. In 2025-2026 one award of $1,550 for a student in the Applied Bachelor of Arts program will be given.
Central Okanagan Bursary and Scholarship Society (COBSS) for Graduates from Secondary Schools in School District 23
CFUW Kelowna Bursary (Gaming)
One award of $2,000 for a student who identifies as female going on to study in BC. The awards will be based on financial need that is critical to their ability to attend.
CFUW – UBCO Bursary (Gaming) Two awards of $2,000 for students who identify as female going on to study at UBCO. The awards will be based on financial need that is critical to their ability to attend.
CFUW Kelowna Scholarship
This award is from the Trust Fund established at COBSS by CFUW Kelowna and is in the amount of $2,000 annually for a student who identifies as female with a grade average greater than 90% who will be entering a post secondary institution with an intent to work in a health-related field.
CFUW Kelowna Bursary for Creative Arts
This award is from the fundraising done by CFUW Kelowna members. It is awarded to a student who identifies as female with demonstrated ability in a Creative Arts field who is pursuing post-secondary education in that area. The award will be based on financial need that is critical to their ability to attend. In 2024-2025 one award of $2,000 was given out.
Eligible applicants are pre-selected by COBSS personnel with members of CFUW Kelowna choosing the successful applicants.
Additional Awards, (offered periodically when funds permit)
2024-2025 An award in memory of Leigh Miller to a student in the OC Therapy Assistant program
2020-21 2 additional awards at OC to celebrate the 60th anniversary of CFUW Kelowna
1 additional award at UBCO to celebrate the 60th anniversary of CFUW Kelowna
1 additional award at COBSS to celebrate the 60th anniversary of CFUW Kelowna
Award in memory of Sheila Paynter to an OC Early Childhood Education student
Award in memory of Denise Nahirney to a Health Sciences student at OC
An award for an indigenous student in Health Sciences at OC
2019-20 3 additional awards at OC to celebrate the 100th anniversary of CFUW National
2 additional awards at UBCO to celebrate the 100th anniversary of CFUW National
Updated: March, 2026
The coffee and knitted animals, hats, leg warmers, Christmas items (and much more than can be shown) are a CLUB FUNDRAISER for the Education Awards. All knitted items are hand crafted and are sought after annually at craft fairs and through club members. We invite you to purchase knitted/crafted items or Femenino coffee by clicking below. Drip grind is now $15 for a 10 oz. package and beans are $20 for a 1 lb package.
Click here for seller contact information [email protected]
(The coffee is grown by women on land they own and they receive a little extra per pkg above the fair trade organic price. The coffee is roasted in Salmon Arm by Shuswap coffee. And it is delicious! An agreed-upon amount from each item of coffee sold is contributed to CFUW Kelowna's Academic Awards programs. The sale of coffee and knitted items generates several thousand dollars for the Awards program annually, a significant amount enabling increased monies awarded to students locally.)
Click here for seller contact information [email protected]
(The coffee is grown by women on land they own and they receive a little extra per pkg above the fair trade organic price. The coffee is roasted in Salmon Arm by Shuswap coffee. And it is delicious! An agreed-upon amount from each item of coffee sold is contributed to CFUW Kelowna's Academic Awards programs. The sale of coffee and knitted items generates several thousand dollars for the Awards program annually, a significant amount enabling increased monies awarded to students locally.)