Giving Back
Community involvement is an integral part of the foundation and the CIC school community in helping students build character, develop life skills and work for the betterment of others. That’s why the Columbia International Scholarship Endowment Fund places importance in giving back to their local community.
Last year, CIC students contributed more than 22,000 volunteer hours to organizations in Hamilton and the GTA – participating in everything from walk-a-thons, food drives and tree planting to raising much-needed funds for causes that seek to address mental health, cancer and child poverty. These students continue to inspire us to give back to our local communities as well.
In 2025, the foundation gave $12,000 to support local and national initiatives supporting youth including Youth Mental Health Canada, The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund, Ronald McDonald House Charities South Central Ontario, Neighbour to Neighbour, Food4Kids Hamilton, and Telling Tales.