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GRANT PROGRAM COMMITTEE MINUTES (4)
A discussion took place about the overall goal of JSF’s communications, which is to support and showcase theworkofgrantees,addingvaluetoJSF’spartnershipbeyondphilanthropicsupport. Theconversation centered around whether to expand the communications goal and use social media to encourage LOI submissions or additional grantee partnerships in addition to the Discovery Project. Hannah and Lady will build a communications plan to capture these expanded efforts, after working with staff to identify areas of opportunity. A question was asked about whether JSF would consider posting on platforms like TikTok or Instagram to reach students. Hannah shared that JSF is not emphasizing these platforms since the Foundation is focused on engaging grantee partners rather than students directly. That is the reason there has been a focus on growing the LinkedIn page – because it’s the best place to reach current and potential grantee partners. The committee was also asked to share any feedback on the JSF Annual Report. Multiple Committee members shared that they felt the report was very well done and impactful. After some discussion, a motion was made to expand the communications goal to be more inclusive of emerging new partners.
The Committee directed staff to revise JSF’s communications goal to include the discovery of potential new partners.
10. Disadvantaged Programing Linkage Report
David’s Linkage Report on Dalhousie University’s Health Sciences Pathways initiative had been circulated. JSF awarded Dalhousie a 5-year, $1 million matching grant in 2016 for 2 programs: the Promoting Leadership in Health for African Nova Scotians (PLANS) and the Indigenous Health in Medicine (IHIM) programs. The grant supported both a scholarship endowment and program expenses. There were 35 scholarships awarded to Indiginous and African Nova Scotian students between 2020 and 2023 totaling $185,000. It is clear that the programs have been a real catalyst for change and are serving as a model within and outside of Dalhousie.
For his report, David spoke to 3 people closely involved with the project: Victoria Hamilton, Senior Director of Development; Shawna O’Hearn, Director of the Global Health Office in the Faculty of Medicine; and Michelle Patrick, Associate Director of the Global Health Office. Many factors led to the success of the programs, including relationship-building in the community, wraparound supports for students and strong leadership. Shawna’s engagement with the programs and the students in particular can be described as being similar to the role Stacey Chatman played within the Gonzaga University MBA-AIE program.
A question was asked about the number of students who have gone on to become doctors. Of the 150 students who entered Dalhousie’s medical school this year, 8 were Indigenous and 20 were African Canadian. Five of the African Canadian students came through the PLANS program. A similar effort by Dalhousie’s law program to increase the number of Indigenous and African Canadian students has led to more diversity in the ranks of judges and scholars across Canada. Dalhousie is undertaking a similar effort in the Faculty of Engineering and is seeking JSF support. It was noted that JSF’s recent conversations with Dalhousie have led to the Dalhousie team following up on several of JSF’s suggestions about possible partnerships with like-minded groups and organizations in Canada.
11. Indigenous Peoples Programing report on endowment discussions
In December, the Committee approved the completion of endowment agreements with 2 tribal colleges, United Tribes Technical College (UTTC) and Turtle Mountain Community College (TMCC). After receiving documentation of matching funds from both institutions, JSF awarded UTTC $250,000, and TMCC $200,000. A few other institutions with incomplete JSF endowments are still on the horizon. However, because this year’s grant budget is tight, they will likely be considered starting in 2025 or later.
Page 24 April Report