What Your Gift Can Do

Donor gifts are used for both educational programming and restoration of the estate. These two are interconnected – restoration activity provides important educational and apprenticeship experiences for students, and the school thrives as it acquires more stable accommodation. 

Restoring the Estate 
A recent Parks Canada grant allows us to begin critical stabilization and life safety work on the main house. To access this grant, Willowbank must match every dollar – resulting in an immediate need for $100,000 in private donations. 
  • Contributions to this restoration project will result in immediate physical benefits; provide learning opportunities and jobs for students; and address the most important obstacles in creating a stable setting for our programs.
  • The following are examples of how your donation can help:
  • $1,000 buys the slaked lime needed for the rebuilding of the wall; while $5,000 creates one summer student employment opportunity on the project.
  • $10,000 pays for one section of scaffolding; while $50,000 pays for the stone repair and repointing. 
Strengthening the Diploma Program
The Diploma Program is partially funded by student tuition, but in order to keep the program affordable, half the costs must be raised through donations. 
  • Willowbank needs $100,000 in annual contributions to operating funds, which have an immediate and lasting impact -- continued provision of top-flight instructors; improved environmental conditions for faculty, students and staff; better awareness of Willowbank nationally and internationally; increased enrollment; financial aid to students in need. 
  • The following are examples of how your donation can help: 
  • $1,000 brings a nationally-recognized faculty associate to Willowbank; and $5,000 provides winter heating for students and staff for one academic session. $10,000 covers complete expenditures for our annual public lecture series. 
Together, these funding opportunities will give Willowbank the long-term sustainability it needs, to continue its mission of introducing young people and the broader community to the joys and challenges of connecting past, present and future.