Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Power of Education campaign?

The Power of Education is the name of Georgian’s fundraising campaign. The goal of this exciting College-wide initiative is to raise $25 million to help Georgian develop and expand key programs such as health sciences, engineering technology and the awards and scholarships program, and fund industry-driven improvements to the Muskoka, Midland and Owen Sound campuses. It will also help Georgian grow its very successful University Partnership Centre so that more students can pursue degree studies at Georgian. The success of this campaign will have a positive ripple effect throughout the community, the economy and with employers and will offer students the best possible post-secondary education right in their own backyard.

Doesn’t the government provide enough funds to Georgian to upgrade and expand when necessary?

While the government does provide a specific level of funding per student, it is simply not enough to cover the expense of creating new programs, building new facilities, or even upgrading technologies. In fact, colleges in Ontario receive the least amount of funding per student compared to universities, high schools and elementary institutions.

What is Georgian College fundraising for right now and why?

Georgian is seeking to raise $25 million and to date, it has successfully raised over $20.6 million toward that goal. The fundraising results will enable Georgian to invest into the following programs and projects:

Georgian Centre for Health and Wellness—$13.5-million goal

When people need health care in Central Ontario, there’s a good chance one of the professionals who helps them will have received their education at Georgian College. With a health care skills shortage occurring and predicted to worsen, Georgian is working diligently toward a key solution for the Central Ontario community.

Beginning this summer, the College is building a new Georgian Centre for Health and Wellness on the Barrie Campus that will house all of Georgian’s health sciences programs under one roof, and offer the public and students an opportunity for greater access to health care in new student-run teaching clinics.

The space will also enable Georgian to increase enrolment spots from 1,500 to 3,000, allowing for more people to pursue health care careers in the region through certificates, diplomas and a growing list of degree programs through Georgian’s University Partnership Centre. As well, a new facility will enable Georgian to facilitate interdisciplinary teaching methods, which means students from various health sciences programs will study and work together for the benefit of patients. It’s the future of health care, and it’s how health care will be taught at Georgian.

The facility will be opening in 2011, and Georgian continues to work with the community to raise the funds necessary to make this Centre the best it can be for the benefit of students and anyone in need of health care now and into the future.

Centre for Sustainable Technologies—$2.5-million goal

Roads, bridges, sewers, buildings, lights and even the vehicle you drive – technicians and technologists play a role in creating almost every basic service used in daily life. At Georgian College, the Centre for Sustainable Technologies will be where these professionals will receive quality education in a new leading-edge environment with modern technologies, and industry-developed curriculum. There is a great need for more of these highly skilled graduates for the power generation and construction fields, where skills shortages are expected. With this new facility, set to open in September 2009, Georgian will be able to continue to increase enrolment in the electrical program and a newly created civil technology program, ensure the best possible academic environment for students, and provide industries with more skilled workers for their hiring pools now and into the future.

Owen Sound Great Lakes International Marine Training Centre—$2.5 million goal

An investment in modernizing and expanding the 20,000-square foot Great Lakes International Marine Training Centre in Owen Sound has made it a world-class destination for marine technology training. A million of the remaining $2.5-million goal is needed from Georgian supporters to fund the remainder of this project. This support is crucial because a significant number of workers in the Great Lakes marine transportation industry are set to retire in the near future. A lot is riding on the College’s ability to train more workers for the marine transportation sector. The good news is that enrolment in marine programs is growing and this can be attributed to the new facilities and the support for the program from the marine industry.

Awards and Scholarships program—$3-million goal (goal met)

Connecting donor generosity with deserving students will always be a priority for Georgian. Helping students pay for their studies is of key importance, and the escalating cost of living is just another reason why a healthy awards and scholarships program at Georgian is imperative. The good news is Georgian has many in the community, including businesses, individuals, and associations, who support students through this program and this goals has been achieved!

Midland Campus —  ($1-million—goal met!) and Muskoka Campus ($2.5 million—goal met!)

These campaign goals have successfully been met thanks to many generous donors who stood behind the creation of the best post-secondary educational institutions available in these communities. This has resulted in a new, larger and improved location for the Muskoka Campus in Bracebridge, and a Boating Centre of Excellence at the Robbert Hartog Midland Campus.

Does Georgian have a successful history of fundraising?

While many universities have had immense success fundraising millions of dollars each year to advance their institutions, colleges do not have a long history of fundraising. This is changing and most colleges are making fundraising a priority in their strategic plans due to economic necessity, enrolment growth trends, and the fact more alumni, employers and community members understand the value in supporting their community college and its future. To date, Georgian has been successful in raising funds for key projects. The University Partnership Centre (formerly known as CTEL) which houses the library was built through the support of $2-million fundraising campaign. The Boating Centre of Excellence at the Robbert Hartog Midland Campus was possible when the fundraising goal of $1 million was met, mostly through the generosity of donations from the Ontario Marine Operators Association members. Most recently, the $2.5-million goal to fund the new location of Muskoka campus in Bracebridge was achieved.

Who benefits most from the Power of Education campaign?

The fundraising campaign is a winning initiative for everyone connected to Georgian College – students, alumni, employers, and the community as a whole.  To name a few of the benefits:

• Students benefit from being educated in modern facilities, on current, leading-edge technologies, in relevant programs that will be their springboards to successful careers.  With increased space capacity, Georgian will also be able to offer students more program choice and options for more degree-level studies through the University Partnership Centre.
• Alumni will benefit from Georgian maintaining its reputation as a first-rate post-secondary institution. When employers look to hire, Georgian graduates and the quality of their education is well respected in the industry. Through the campaign funds, Georgian will be able to continue to offer its students optimal learning experiences, as it has done over the last 41 years.
• Employers will benefit from the campaign in many ways. They will have more qualified graduates available for their hiring pools. On-the-job training costs will be minimized because Georgian students will already be trained on modern tools and technologies. Employers and businesses will be given opportunities to donate to the campaign and receive naming opportunities on the campus, elevating their profiles in the community and with students – their future workforce.
• Communities surrounding Georgian will benefit by having a quality post-secondary education institution operating locally. An educated community creates a higher standard of living, and Georgian helps the local economy with three per cent of all regional earnings linked to the College.

How can I support Georgian?

It’s easy to invest in the future of Georgian College through a donation or through volunteering your time to campaign for funds. You might also consider the following:

• Wills Some individuals choose to remember Georgian in their wills, leaving a legacy to students in their name and memory.
• Life Insurance Many people don’t know that they can make Georgian the owner or the beneficiary of a new or an existing life insurance policy. The premiums qualify for a tax credit.
• Stocks A person can deduct the full value of their stock as a charitable donation and pay no capital gains tax if they donate the stock to a registered charity such as Georgian College.
• Securities Those who frequently sell securities and realize capital gains on which they have to pay tax may be able to reduce capital gains tax by donating these securities directly to a registered charity such as Georgian College.

If you’re interesting in helping Georgian College be the best it can be, simply contact the Office of Development & Alumni Relations at:
1.  Phone: (705) 728-1968, ext. 1210
2.  E-mail: donate@georgianc.on.ca
3.  Fax: (705) 722-5176
4.  http://giving.georgianc.on.ca/gifts/

Or drop by the Office of Development & Alumni Relations at the Barrie Campus, Room C259.
A campaign team member is always available to discuss Georgian and its plans for the future!