Scholarships
Application Deadline: June 30 (annually)
Value: $1,000
Selection:
This scholarship is provided for students furthering their formal education as a full-time student at a post-secondary institution (in their first year).
Eligibility:
For the 2024 scholarship, students must complete a 750-word essay, answering the question:
‘The number of people affected by hunger has been slowly on the rise since 2014, but tons and tons of edible food is lost and/or wasted every day. How can we increase awareness of this issue and promote global efforts towards resolving it?’
- Awarded on the basis of academic achievement upon entrance into the program. A transcript of marks for the most recent academic year showing the numerical grade average in percentage form for the complete year (e.g. 85%).
- Three signed reference letters from community organizers and/or high school faculty (no more than 2 from the school).
- Applicant must be a resident of Ontario, and a prospective high school graduate.
- Full-time students entering their first year of studies at a post-secondary institution.
- Previous winners are not eligible.
Conditions:
- Candidates may apply only once in any one year.
- For the scholarship to be awarded, the FWIO Provincial Office must receive proof of enrollment by September 30th. Scholarships are forfeited after this date and will be awarded to the alternate.
FWIO Provincial Scholarship Application Form – 2024 (Fillable PDF)
Application Deadline: June 30 (annually)
Value: $1,200
This scholarship was established in 1976 to recognize Helen McKercher’s years of service to FWIO as Director of the Women’s Institute and Home Economics Service.
Purpose:
To assist a graduate student to pursue a post-graduate degree in Family and Consumer Studies, Home Economics or in a related program.
Eligibility:
- For the 2024 scholarship, students must complete a 750-word essay, answering the question:
‘The number of people affected by hunger has been slowly on the rise since 2014, but tons and tons of edible food is lost and/or wasted every day. How can we increase awareness of this issue and promote global efforts towards resolving it?’
- Must be a resident of Ontario for five years.
- Must be a graduate of a Canadian University.
- Previous winners are not eligible.
Conditions:
- For the scholarship to be awarded, the FWIO Provincial Office must receive proof of enrollment by September 30th. Scholarships are forfeited after this date and will be awarded to the alternate.
Helen M. McKercher Scholarship Application Form – 2024 (Fillable PDF)
Application Deadline: June 30 (annually)
Value: $1,000
Established in 1987 as four regional scholarships (valued at $250 each) and presented annually to Women’s Institute (WI) Members upgrading their education, this is now one provincial scholarship.
Purpose:
To assist WI Members who seek self-improvement and personal enrichment through the education system as full or part-time students enrolled in a certified course.
Eligibility:
- For the 2024 scholarship, applicants will be asked to write a 500-word essay on the following topic:
‘The number of people affected by hunger has been slowly on the rise since 2014, but tons and tons of edible food is lost and/or wasted every day. How can we increase awareness of this issue and promote global efforts towards resolving it?’
- Must be a WI Member for at least 5 years and currently active in WI.
- Previous winners are not eligible.
Conditions:
- For the scholarship to be awarded, the FWIO Provincial Office must receive proof of enrollment by September 30th. Scholarships are forfeited after this date and will be awarded to the alternate.
90th Anniversary Scholarship Application Form – 2024 (Fillable PDF)
Application Deadline: EXTENDED TO June 30th (annually)
Since 1947, these Scholarships have been presented by FWIO in recognition of the women who pioneered the Women’s Institute in Ontario.
Value: Up to (3) three awards of $1,000 each
Purpose:
To assist students studying at the University of Guelph, College of Social and Applied Human Sciences.
Eligibility:
- Residents of Ontario with a minimum cumulative average of 70% who have completed at least 4.00 credits in the BASc. program and who have contributed to extracurricular activities.
- If other qualifications are equal, preference will be given to students who have participated in the Ontario 4-H program and/or students whose mothers are Women’s Institute Members.
CLICK HERE for more information on the University of Guelph website.
Established in 1962, this award provides scholarships for the promotion and encouragement of education in the economic, social, and cultural spheres in a developing country.
Purpose:
To provide training in specific subjects (namely community welfare and related topics) to those who have not previously had this advantage, as well as offering further training to qualified leaders.
Eligibility:
- be a member of an ACWW Society
Value: dependant on course, length of instruction, etc.
For more information and/or applications, visit http://www.acww.org.uk/ or contact ACWW at info@acww.org.uk
2022
FWIO Provincial Scholarship
Nicole Danen
2021
FWIO Provincial Scholarship
Ginny Wang
Helen M. McKercher Scholarship
Monika Couperus
2020
FWIO Provincial Scholarship
Anastasia Maziarz
Ontario Women's Institute Scholarship
Naomi Brown
Sherry Fang
Vanda Weisz
2019
FWIO Provincial Scholarship
Emily Perrino
90th Anniversary Scholarship
Kim Sheldrick
Ontario Women's Institute Scholarship
Claire Nanda
Alexandra Proulx
Ainsley Tsetekas
2018
FWIO Provincial Scholarship
Erin Parna-Gile
Helen M. McKercher Scholarship
Janet Okrafka
90th Anniversary Scholarship
Kim Sheldrick
Ontario Women's Institute Scholarship
Carolyn Wyse
Kathleen Morgan
Tianxue He
2017
FWIO Provincial Scholarship
Elana Klingspohn
Helen M. McKercher Scholarship
Sandra Venneri
Ontario Women's Institute Scholarship
Lauren Cook
Carolynn Whitehouse
Ziying Xiong
2016
FWIO Provincial Scholarship
Jacqueline Taylor Dyck
Helen M. McKercher Scholarship
Sarah Cappuccitti
Ontario Women's Institute Scholarship
Jessica Beagan
Melissa Nauta
Melissa Crawford
2015
FWIO Provincial Scholarship
Caroline Simons
Helen M. McKercher Scholarship
Huma Rana
Ontario Women's Institute Scholarship
Lauren Cook
Kristie Pun
Alexandra Nunez
2014
FWIO Provincial Scholarship
Mary-Lynn VanLankveld
Ontario Women's Institute Scholarship
Charlotte Jones
Shannon King
Emma Sysiuk
2013
FWIO Provincial Scholarship
Elizabeth (Libby) Root
Ontario Women's Institute Scholarship
Elizabeth Bruce
Shavonne Nice
Lauren Renlund
2012
FWIO Provincial Scholarship
Lauren Paré
Helen M. McKercher Scholarship
Jessica Lee Hambleton
Ontario Women's Institute Scholarship
MacKenzie Brown
Rebecca Kinio
Christine Kucava
awards
The Adelaide Hunter Hoodless Canadian Woman of the Year Award is the premier national award of Women’s Institute celebrating the achievements of the most successful in this inspiring group. This award recognizes a woman for demonstrating excellence—from leadership to social change, from local to global reach, across multiple sectors.
Deadline: March 31 (annually)
Nominations can be made to the Federated Women's Institutes of Canada (FWIC). Form available on the FWIC website.
The prestigious Erland Lee Award is presented by the Federated Women's Institutes of Canada (FWIC) to a man who most exemplifies those qualities of Erland Lee, which led to the founding of the Women’s Institute. Nominations can come from the Branch, District, Area or Provincial level. As of 2019, provinces may submit an unlimited number of nominations each year.
In addition to the nomination form, specifics of the nominee’s contribution to WI must be outlined in a nomination letter and forwarded to the FWIO Provincial Office for approval by January 31st (annually). A fee of $20.00 must accompany the nomination (cheques payable to FWIO). Once approved, the gentleman’s name will be forwarded to the national office along with FWIC's portion of the nomination fee ($15.00).
2021 Erland Lee Award Nomination Form (PDF)
Ontario Recipients
2023 - Roger McKay, Sandy McKay, John Uren, David Arthur, and Steven Arthur.
2021 – Keith Davidson
2021 – Lloyd West
2020 – Dan Lee
2019 – David Arthur
2019 – Don Hamel
2019 – Donald Johnston
2019 – Brian Masschaele
2018 – Bruce Zavitz
2018 – Fred Hyde
2017 – Mike Baker
2017 – Neil Blackman
2016 – Wayne Bauer
2016 – Fred Cooper
2015 – Leendert (Lane) Byl
2015 – Peter White
2013 – Hollie Archer
2012 – Robert (Bob) Sadler
2011 – John Beedham
2011 – Bill Gagnon
2009 – Jeff Laidlaw
2007 – Keith Davidson
2006 – Bruce Snider
2003 – George Timpson
2000 – Harold MacMillan
1997 – Jack Matthison
1997 – Douglas Couper Smith
1994 – Bob Taylor
1991 – Wally Knapp
1991 – Reg Whitty
Deadline: June 30th (annually)
Since 1996, the Federated Women’s Institutes of Ontario (FWIO) have recognized the significant contributions made by women in agriculture at The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair by presenting them with the prestigious Woman of Excellence in Agriculture Award.
Criteria for Selection
Open to all Ontario women currently involved in agriculture, The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair and their community (i.e. 4-H, Fair Board or Plowing Match).
Nominations
Your nomination package must include:
- A typed profile, not to exceed 500 words, describing the agricultural work of the nominee, involvement at The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair and in their community.
- Three nominators, providing letters of recommendation (not to exceed one page each) and contact information.
- The nominee’s contact information.
Nomination packages may be submitted to:
FWIO Provincial Office
Attn: Woman of Excellence in Agriculture Award
552 Ridge Road
Stoney Creek, ON L8J 2Y6
Call for Nominations
FWIO invites you to recognize a deserving woman who is involved in agriculture, The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair and their community. The winner will be FWIO’s guest of honour at the Tribute to Agricultural Excellence Luncheon, where the award will be presented.
Selection
The winner will be selected by an appointed committee of FWIO representatives.
Previous Winners
2019 – Bonnie West
2018 – Gail Irvine
2017 – Shelley Barfoot-O'Neill
2016 – Mary Elmhirst
2015 – Pat Marcotte
2014 – Donna Willows
2013 – Mary Ann Found
2012 – Karen Eastman Velthuis
2011 – Katie Normet
2009 – Doris Aitken
2008 – Joanne Currie
2007 – Judy Shelley
2005 – Monica Veit
2003 – Sharon Douglas
2002 – Josie Wintersinger
2001 – Jane Whaley
2000 – Cathy Lasby
1999 – Cathy Wilson Pinkney
1998 – Grace Oesch
1997 – Evelyn McCutcheon
1996 – Joy Palmer
1996 – Miriam Detwiler
The Woman of Excellence Fair Award is presented at the District level of FWIO and recognizes the significant contributions made by WI Members working at local fairs.
Interested Districts are encouraged to form a committee to put into action the District Women’s Institutes “Woman of Excellence Fair Award.” It is entirely up to the District to choose their winner. Districts may present more than one award per year.
The following are suggested guidelines for the District Fair Award Committee:
- Distribute the instruction form (see below) to each Branch in the District with appropriate dates and contact information filled in by the District.
- Select a closing date for nominations and specify this date on the form.
- Specify a selection date on the form and select a District winner by this date.
- Contact the FWIO Provincial Office for a certificate template or create your own, with the District winner’s name.
- Notify the Fair Board, requesting permission to present the award at the local fair and to be included in their program.
- Contact your Public Relations Coordinator to research public recognition opportunities.
We hope you will participate in recognizing these special individuals for their dedicated service.