July 29, 1999 For Immediate Release

A representative of the Vancouver Foundation will be visiting UNBC on Tuesday, August 3rd to discuss the status of a number of UNBC initiatives that have received funding from the Foundation. Valerie Hunter is a program director for the Vancouver Foundation, which is the largest community foundation in Canada with assets of $540 million.

To date, the Foundation has contributed $491,000 to UNBC for a variety of projects:

• $300,000 for the general scholarship and bursary fund
• $100,000 to investigate the success of the Northern Advancement Program. The NAP is a transition program for rural and First Nations students to give them the academic and social skills that will help them succeed at university. This year, about 30 students are registered in the program.
• $75,000 for the Weekend University. Operated in partnership with the University College of the Cariboo and the Cariboo Tribal Council, the Weekend University makes courses available on alternate weekends to students from throughout the south Cariboo. The contribution will provide financial assistance to NAP students.
• $15,000 for an outdoor playground at the UNBC Child Care centre.

The Vancouver Foundation first contributed to UNBC in 1993. The contribution to the Weekend University is the most recent contribution and was made last month.

UNBC President Charles Jago will be recognizing the Vancouver Foundation's support at the Child Care centre at 11am on August 3rd. Media are welcome and there will be opportunities to interview Ms Hunter and President Jago about the Foundation and its contributions to UNBC.