The goal of the Fund is to make an impact by providing the next generation with the tools to rise to leadership on their own terms.
Since 2020, we’ve partnered with various corporate giving partners to provide women and non-binary people with broader financial and educational resources to empower themselves and their future. As of this year, over $324,000 USD has been committed to Empowerment Fund initiatives outlined below. In addition, $100,000 USD has been committed to separate corporate giving initiatives.
“This bursary will help me cover some of the expenses of the cost of attending post-secondary school and living away from my family.
Becoming a speech pathologist will be so rewarding because speech is an essential part of life, and being able to help a child achieve that will be the best feeling in the world.”
–Alyssa Cole, Newfoundland
Indspire BFF 2021 Grant Recipient
“I am a mother of two amazing boys. It has been 20 years since I graduated from school; however, obtaining my degree is an achievement that will be very fulfilling in my life.
I want to use my education to achieve greatness in the medical field. My sister and some friends and I plan to open a small, free health clinic in our neighborhood to help the less fortunate.”
–Paulisha D., North Carolina
JRF Mejuri Scholar Awards Recipient
CURRENT INITIATIVES
Indspire: Building Brighter Futures (BBF)
This year, we’ve pledged $63,000 CAD in partnership with Inspire’s BFF program. Indspire is a national Indigenous registered charity that invests in the education of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people for the long-term benefit of these individuals, their families and communities, and Canada.
How the $63,000 CAD will be distributed:
- $55,440 in funding (12 scholarships x $4,620 CAD each)
- $7,560 in administrative fees
Jeannette Rankin Foundation (JRF)
Mejuri is pledging $50,000 USD in scholarships for low-income women in the United States in partnership with the Jeannette Rankin Foundation. Named after social and racial justice advocate and the first woman elected into congress in 1916, the JRF is on a mission to economically empower women to fulfill their post-secondary education in order to support themselves and their families.
How the $63,000 CAD will be distributed:
- $42,500 in funding (17 scholarships x $2,500 USD each)
- $7,500 in administrative fees
past initiatives
2021: Indspire’s Building Brighter Futures (BBF)
Mejuri pledged $63,000 CAD, with another $63,000 CAD matched by the federal government, in bursaries for 24 Indigenous students in partnership with Indspire’s Building Brighter Futures program. Indspire is a national Indigenous registered charity that invests in the education of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people for the long-term benefit of these individuals, their families and communities, and Canada.
How the $126,000 will be distributed:
- $110,880 in funding (24 bursaries x $4,620 each) with $55,440 from Mejuri and $55,440 from the federal government
- $15,120 for program admin fees ($7,560 from Mejuri and $7,560 from the federal government)
2021: Jeannette Rankin Foundation (JRF)
Mejuri pledged $50,000 USD in scholarships for low-income women in the United States in partnership with the Jeannette Rankin Foundation. Named after social and racial justice advocate and the first woman elected into congress in 1916, the JRF is on a mission to economically empower women to fulfill their post-secondary education in order to support themselves and their children.
How the $50,000 USD will be distributed:
- $42,500 in funding (17 scholarships x $2,500 USD each)
- $7,500 USD in administrative fees
2020: United Negro College Fund (UNCF)
Mejuri pledged $70,000 USD to scholarships for black women and non-binary people in partnership with the UNCF. The UNCF envisions a nation where all Americans have equal access to college education. It is the United States’ largest private scholarship provider to minority group members.
How the $70,000 USD was distributed:
- 10 scholarships x $5,000 USD each
- $11,600 USD in emergency funding
- $8,400 USD in administrative fees
Ten recipients were selected, based on need and alignment with our values, and received their awards in January 2021.
2020: Black Business and Professional Association (BBPA)
Mejuri pledged $68,000 CAD to scholarships for Black women and non-binary people in partnership with the BBPA. For over 38 years, the BBPA has been advancing Canada’s Black communities by delivering programs that support business and professional excellence, higher education, and economic development.
How the $68,000 was distributed:
- 10 scholarships x $5,000 CAD each
- $11,200 USD in discretionary (emergency) funding
- $68,000 CAD in administrative fees
Ten recipients were selected, based on need and alignment with our values, and received their awards in November 2020.
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