Sheila O’Brien is this year’s Giving Day Matching Donor. Sheila is currently a member of Bow Valley College’s Open Doors – Open Minds fundraising campaign cabinet. She has been a generous supporter and advocate to the College and is a community and business leader. We are grateful to Sheila for her continued partnership and support.
Bow Valley College is a treasure in our community. They offer outstanding programs to create clear pathways to meaningful careers for their students. I am proud to be a member of the Open Doors – Open Minds campaign cabinet and to support this year’s Giving Day, as the matching donor. I hope that others in our community will also be inspired to give to any of the important Bear necessities funds.”
Last year, our campus roared with excitement as we unveiled Bow Valley College’s new mascot—the Bear. A symbol of strength, intelligence and resilience, the Bear continues to reflect the spirit of our community.
For Giving Day 2025, we continue to focus on the Bear necessities, which are critical funds that support the most urgent needs of our students. These resources empower them to not only graduate, but also to thrive in their careers. This includes an exciting volunteer-led initiative, the City Maker Campaign, with a goal of creating 200 new scholarships for Bow Valley College students.
Donations made between December 1-5 will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $2,500 per gift while matching funds last, thanks to the generosity of Sheila O’Brien. We are grateful to Sheila for being a long-time supporter of Bow Valley College.
By donating now, you can double your impact; positively changing the lives of our students and campus community.
Below are some of our greatest Bear necessities:
The City Maker campaign is an exciting volunteer-led initiative, with a goal of creating 200 new scholarships valued at $5,000 each.
The BVC Bears have come to life through our first-ever competitive varsity team in esports. This fund continues to support students by helping to reduce the financial stresses that come along with trying to balance academic and athletic commitments.
With the cost of living and pursuing a post-secondary education on the rise, providing food security to our students continues to be critical. This fund is needed now more than ever to support this increasing need among our student body.
Support towards this fund allows the college to be nimble in meeting the greatest needs of our students. We can allocate financial assistance to meet their needs and ensure they can continue to complete their studies with less stress.
"I warmly thank you for accepting me as your member of recipient for this wonderful award. This award gives me courage to study hard and continue to achieve my goals. When I came to Calgary for the first time in 2019, I was in CCIS for one year and then in 2021 I joined BVC for ELL classes about one years and half. I started the Upgrading program last Sept. 2022, and now I am in grade 10 Upgrading.
I am originally from North, Sudan, and I grew-up with family in Singeta, Darfur, Sudan. In Sudan we do not have enough school in small villages and two to three villages share elementary schools. Every child must study in religious schools to learn how to pray. Because of that I did not finish a higher education. When I left my home country, I tried my best to learn English classes. For that reason, I am here today to pursue my dream goals to serve in society.
Thank you again, I really appreciate this generous award."
"Thank you for establishing a scholarship at Bow Valley College. It is an honour to be this year’s recipient of the Business and Professional Women’s Club of Calgary – School of Health and Wellness. I am studying in the Practical Nurse Program, and I am currently in my 3rd term. My goal is to be working in Maternity of trauma.
I am a mom of three and this has been very gruesome for our life, lots of changes and lots of stress for everyone with these changes. I volunteer with my local fire department as helping others is a huge passion of mine and I have always enjoyed learning new skills. With that, job events are always different, so skills are always being learned.
I appreciate this very much and I am so very thankful for this honor of receiving this award."
"Thank you for establishing a scholarship at Bow Valley College. It is an honour to be this year’s recipient of the Rotary Literacy Bursary. I am studying Reading, Writing 4, and math 3. My future goal is to finish the high school Upgrading program and enroll in the Practical Nurse program.
I am a single mother of 4 children. I have 2 boys and 2 girls. I am originally from Syria and came to Canada in 2017. I have been a student at Bow Valley College for 4 years.
Thank you for your support. I really appreciate it."
Through the generosity of a community advocate, Sheila O’Brien, your gift to the College during Giving Day can have double the impact. Individual donations made between December 1-5, 2025, are eligible for matching – up to $2,500 per gift – while matching funds last.
Gifts can be accepted online through our Giving Page. Due to the Canada Post strike, we recommend not mailing in a cheque but would accept drop offs to campus. To coordinate please reach out to Zainab Malik. Please make cheques payable to “Bow Valley College”.
Zainab Malik | zmalik@bowvalleycollege.ca | 403.410.1738
In the spirit of our mascot – the Bear – and what it symbolizes, we have identified key funds that support areas of greatest needs for our students. You may select one of those or donate to a fund of your choice. Please connect with Zainab Malik at zmalik@bowvalleycollege.ca or 403.410.1738 for more information on donating to a fund that is not listed above or how to create a new fund.
Yes! For any eligible gifts above $20, you will receive a tax receipt emailed to you immediately after your online donation. If you give via cheque, your tax receipt will be mailed by December 31, 2025.
Bow Valley College
345 - 6 Avenue SE,
Calgary, AB T2G 4V1
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday
6:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Saturday
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Closed Sunday
+1 403-410-1400
1-866-428-2669 (toll free)
