Founder of The Grant Morris Foundation

Childhood Caribbean Roots

Grant Morris was born and raised in Barbados, an island in the Lesser Antilles of the West Indies in the Caribbean Region of North America. Grant's journey in community service and appreciation for education began by observing his father, a school principal, provide secondary school tuition and clothing to underprivileged children who later became doctors, lawyers, and leaders in society. Grant lives by the creed that "the brotherhood of man transcends the sovereignty of nations and that service to humanity is the best work of life”.

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Canadian Immigrant Story

Grant immigrated to Canada to pursue post-secondary education in the 1960s. Having earned both a bachelor's degree in Urban Studies from York University and a master's degree in education from the University of Toronto, Grant joined the Ontario Ministry of Housing, Treasury Economic and Intergovernmental Affairs where he worked for 18 years as a Planner and then Senior Planner. Grant left his government position to launch a successful private practice as a Planning and Development Consultant and he has helped develop over $20 million in real estate projects in Ontario's Durham region. His deep planning experience was recognized when he was appointed to the Ontario Municipal Board as a Tribunal Judge. In his eighties, Grant continues to run his consulting business and is equally dedicated to helping youth realize their university dreams as others willingly did for him.

The Education Gap: A National Injustice

Income inequality prevents smart, intelligent and capable youth with high potential from achieving that potential and becoming contributing members of society. Over time, social systems are impacted and the local economy cannot grow. This has a ripple effect on the Canadian socioeconomic infrastructure.

Education and mentorship programs are the solutions to core socioeconomic problems, empowering youth with scholarship opportunities from high school through post-graduate education and preparing them for the 21st-century workforce.

Statistics Canada research indicates that students with a university bachelor's degree from the lowest parental income quintile out-earned their peers with no post-secondary education by $32,000 annually or 165%. 

The Grant Morris Foundation Scholarship

The Grant Morris Foundation scholarship is designed to support students, particularly those of Caribbean heritage living in Ontario, Canada, pursuing post-secondary education.

For students who are selected for undergraduate or postgraduate scholarships, the Grant Morris Foundation will award $4,000 per year until graduation. When combined with other possible sources of financial aid, the Grant Morris Foundation scholarship should significantly reduce the need for students to seek private loans to pay for their post-secondary education.

The Grant Morris Foundation scholarship is an important part of Mr. Morris' goal to increase the number of students who earn a first degree or credential and dramatically improve their standard of living and ability to contribute their time and talent to society.

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Raised and donated a cumulative total of $1,040,461 for youth development and education

 

* Includes donations received prior to the legal formation of the foundation in 2017

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Approximately $388,907 of the total funds raised to date were earmarked for the Grant Morris Endowment Fund at Ontario Tech University

The Grant Morris Endowment Fund at Ontario Tech University has awarded 38 scholarships to students with financial barriers

150 scholarships have been awarded to students attending colleges and universities across Canada

Education Creates New Pathways

The Grant Morris Foundation enables multicultural youth, particularly those of Caribbean heritage or are financially impaired and are living in Canada, to achieve their potential by providing scholarship and mentorship opportunities.