The Harvard Club of Ottawa is honoured to join with other Harvard Clubs in Canada to share an important initiative that honours the former Governor General of Canada: the David Johnston Financial Aid Fund for Harvard Students from Canada.
The fund provides financial assistance to deserving men and women from Canada who are attending Harvard College. The former Governor General is aware of this initiative and is “overwhelmed, humbled, and… honoured. I am so delighted with this initiative because it will mean future generations will have the Harvard experience which was so transforming in my own life.”
As a student, David Johnston was an outstanding scholar and athlete, and as a university president he had the singular distinction of being the only foreigner ever to have served as President of Harvard’s Board of Overseers. His commitment to excellence in education is well known, as is his commitment to assisting others to have the same opportunities as he had. Currently the fund is a financial aid fund supporting the financial aid Harvard College gives to Canadian students who benefit from Harvard’s need blind admissions process. The fund is currently around $280,000. If it reaches $500,000 Harvard will then designate it as a full scholarship fund with a named individual recipient each year. To reach this goal, shared by all Harvard Clubs in Canada, Harvard accepts and welcomes both annual donations and 5 year pledges for reunions, class gifts, etc. from donors anywhere, but especially from Canada. For example, if someone is already donating $1500 annually to the Harvard College Fund, this could be counted as a $7500 pledge (over 5 years). Please do consider joining the distinguished list of those who have already donated and/or designating your annual donation or pledge to Harvard to this fund. It is a worthy cause! To donate, please email ellie_spaulding@harvard.edu at the Harvard College Fund and indicate the amount of your donation to the David Johnston Financial Aid Fund for Harvard Students from Canada.
To then make a donation directly, please either mail a cheque to:
Recording Secretary’s Office
Harvard University
124 Mt. Auburn Street
Cambridge, MA 02138
1-800-veritas
Or to make a gift online, please visit:
https://community.alumni.harvard.edu/give/14500426
Important: Please also make sure to state, both on your check and online, that the donation is for the David Johnston Financial Aid Fund for Harvard Students from Canada.
Launching this fund is also an opportunity to underscore Harvard’s admirable need blind admissions policies, and its commitment to scholarship based aid which eliminates the need for students to take out loans. This is a story that is worth telling!