Giving

Head's Appeal + Eagles' Circle Giving

Jim Keefe, Head of School

I invite you to support the Head’s Appeal. As an independent school, we rely on the support of our community to provide resources which help make the School an even better place for all students. Together we realized the dream of providing outstanding facilities and programming for today’s students and future generations. Your support makes it possible for us to sustain and enhance our facilities and grounds, provide financial support to a greater number of deserving students, and create an environment that inspires and enhances the educational experience.

Thank you.
Support the Head's Appeal
Our annual giving options focus on the current and strategic priorities of the School as well as encouraging ongoing support for the SJR Foundation and the School's endowment.  By supporting our current needs your gift will create an immediate impact and you will be able to see your gift in action straightaway.  Supporting the endowment creates a lasting legacy that will help to support scholarships, financial aid, innovation and campus renewal on an annual basis.

Celebrate SJR75. Become an Eagles' Circle Champion. 
2025 marks the 75th anniversary of the amalgamation of St. John’s College School with Ravenscourt School to become St. John’s-Ravenscourt School. To celebrate this milestone, we are introducing the SJR75 Eagles’ Circle Champion initiative that will assist your personal journey of philanthropy to create meaningful opportunities that support current needs (Athletic Centre Revitalization, campus sustainability, and innovation), create an enduring fund through the SJR Foundation, and provide a planned gift by leaving a legacy.

The Eagles’ Circle celebrates donors who have contributed a minimum of $25,000 in cumulative lifetime giving. Donors are permanently recognized in publications, on donor walls throughout the School, and acknowledged at an annual reception held exclusively for Eagles’ Circle champions.

Your commitment to becoming an Eagles' Circle Champion can be fulfilled over multiple years. Donations made to date in support of current and enduring needs will apply towards this initiative.

It would be our pleasure to help you develop a plan to become an Eagles’ Circle Champion. 

SJR's Funding Priorities

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  • Become an Eagles' Circle Champion

    2025 marks the 75th anniversary of the amalgamation of St. John’s College School with Ravenscourt School to become St. John’s-Ravenscourt School. To celebrate this milestone, we are introducing the SJR75 Eagles’ Circle Champion initiative that will assist your personal journey of philanthropy to create meaningful opportunities that support current needs (Athletic Centre Revitalization, campus sustainability, and innovation), create an enduring fund through the SJR Foundation, and provide a planned gift by leaving a legacy.

    The Eagles’ Circle celebrates donors who have contributed a minimum of $25,000 in cumulative lifetime giving. Donors are permanently recognized in publications, on donor walls throughout the School, and acknowledged at an annual reception held exclusively for Eagles’ Circle champions.

    Your commitment to becoming an Eagles' Circle Champion can be fulfilled over multiple years. Donations made to date in support of current and enduring needs will apply towards this initiative.

    It would be our pleasure to help you develop a plan to become an Eagles’ Circle Champion. 

  • Supporting Current Needs

    Tom Bredin Athletic Centre Revitalization 
    On October 3, 2023, the doors of Dutton Memorial Arena opened to a new reconfigured NHL-sized rink, five new changing rooms, a new ice plant, significant structural upgrades and a new building envelope to ensure the future of the arena for another 50 years.

    A viewing area above the new changing rooms offer spectators a superb view of athletes. A newly expanded entrance to the building, including an elevator, provides upgraded access to the entire athletics complex. At the end of the hockey season, artificial turf will replace the ice surface and serve as a multipurpose indoor facility for all students. As a result, students will be able to play soccer, rugby, and Ultimate, and enjoy a wide variety of track and field events as well as other sports. Hundreds of students, all playing different sports, will benefit.

    Become an Eagles' Circle Champion
    Be a part of history. With a minimum $25,000 gift, your name will be included on the donor wall in Dutton Memorial Arena in perpetuity. 

    Innovation Fund
    The Innovation Fund supports academic programs today with funding for training and classroom enrichment so that we may continue to challenge and inspire our students in ways that will innovate and transform the SJR experience. A named endowed fund can also be created to support innovation. 

    Become an Eagles' Circle Champion
    A minimum $25,000 gift to the Innovation Fund is an investment in our  academic programs. 

  • Supporting Endowment

    Providing an Enduring Legacy
    Innovation, Scholarships, Financial Aid, Campus Sustainability

    Gifts made to the endowment are held by the SJR Foundation and remain at SJR in perpetuity. The SJR Foundation was created in 1962 to manage funds endowed to the School for the provision of scholarships and financial aid, maintaining our beautiful campus and supporting ongoing education and classroom enrichment throughout the School. The Foundation ensures the Capital is preserved and earns investment invoice to provide a reliable and sustainable annual allocation to the School.

    On average, the Foundation supports 88 academic scholarships and provides life-changing financial aid bursaries to 45 deserving students annually. The School community benefits from the inclusion of a wide diversity of students which financial assistance can help make possible. 

    The Campus Sustainability endowment supports the ongoing needs of our beautiful campus and preserves buildings and trees for generations to follow.

    In addition to funding current needs, support for the Innovation Endowment Fund to enhance our academic programs can also be directed to the SJR Foundation.

    Become an Eagles' Circle Champion 
    A minimum contribution of $25,000 to the SJR Foundation is required to create a non-scholarship named fund to support financial aid, the Campus Sustainability Endowment or the Innovation Endowment Fund (academic programs). 100% of the annual allocation from your fund will be used to support the specified area. $100,000 is required to create a named scholarship. 

  • Unrestricted/Other

    By selecting "other" you can designate your gift to an area not listed. "Unrestricted" allows the School to use your gift in the area of greatest need.

  • Establish a Planned Gift

    Planned giving allows you and your family to provide a lasting commitment to future students and families by making a bequest for SJR in your estate plans. Final gifts can be in the form of life
    insurance policies or a provision in a will. Over $500,000 in planned gifts have been realized from alumni, families and individuals with a strong connection to the School. 

    SJR Legacy Circle

    Friends who have informed the School they have made provisions for SJR in their estate plans will be listed as a member of the SJR Legacy Circle. 

    We have created a form to assist in fulfilling your wishes and recognizing your commitment to SJR.  

    SJR Legacy Circle Membership Form 

    This document provides types of bequests and sample will clauses to assist you and your legal counsel with ensuring your gift supports an area of the School that is meaningful to you.  

    Types of Bequests and Sample Will Clauses  

Endowed Funds Named in Honour of Faculty

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  • Rod Lindquist Endowment Fund (in progress)

    On November 27, 2022 we lost a revered teacher and coach, Rod Lindquist. In memoriam donations were received to help establish an endowed fund that will support students receiving financial aid to supplement their participation in cocurricular activities. Once donations reach $25,000, the endowment will be established. 

  • John Robinson Endowment Fund

    The John Robinson Endowment Fund will support SJR’s public speaking and debating program. 

  • Colin B. Kiddell Scholarship Fund

    The Colin B. Kiddell Scholarship is awarded to a Junior School student in honour of former Junior School Principal, Colin B. Kiddell. The recipient is a Grade 5 student who has demonstrated service in the community or school and has worked unselfishly, serving others with humility.

  • Dick Gordon Alumni Memorial Boarding Scholarship Fund

    The Dick Gordon Alumni Memorial Boarding Scholarship is awarded to an all-round Senior School student, new to boarding and to SJR, with a solid academic standing who may contribute to boarding life.

  • Hugh T. McCracken Scholarship Fund

    The Hugh T. McCracken Scholarship is awarded to a Grade 11 student entering Grade 12 in honour of Hugh T. McCracken, former science teacher and headmaster. The student can hold no other academic scholarships and must be active in school activities. The student must submit a piece of creative writing.

  • John A. Messenger Scholarship Fund

    The John A. Messenger Scholarship is awarded in honour of John A. Messenger, former Headmaster, to a Grade 11 student entering Grade 12 with a high level of excellence in  the Humanities.

  • John F. Waudby Memorial Scholarship Fund

  • Martin H. Ainley Alumni Boarding Scholarship Fund

    The Martin H. Ainley Alumni Boarding Scholarship is awarded in honour of Martin H. Ainley, former teacher, to a Senior School student who demonstrates academic/athletic skills and a commitment to community and congeniality.

  • Michael Proudfoot Memorial Scholarship Fund

    The Michael Proudfoot Memorial Scholarship is awarded to a current student in Grade 5 who demonstrates a high skill level in choral and instrumental music, is an active participant in musical actively in the school, exhibits first-class effort in all musical undertakings, demonstrates a consistently positive attitude toward school work, and models respectful behaviour toward staff and fellow students.

  • Norman & Grace Young Alumni Boarding Scholarship Fund

    This scholarship was created by the SJR Alumi Association in honour of Norman and Grace Young, the founder or Ravenscourt School and his wife.  It is awarded to an all round student with a solid academic standing who contributes to boarding life. 

  • Richard L. Gordon Memorial Scholarship Fund

    This scholarship is awarded in honour of Richard L. Gordon '37, Headmaster from 1952 to 1969.  It is awarded to a student of outstanding academic promise entering Senior School.

  • Térèsa Lee Music Scholarship Fund

    The Térèsa Lee Music Scholarship is awarded to recognize Térèsa's leadership, passion and vision for SJR's Music Program. It is awarded to a graduating student who best personifies her dedication, spirit and love of music.

  • Tom Bredin Memorial Scholarship Fund

    The Tom Bredin Memorial Scholarship is awarded in honour of Thomas F. Bredin '39, Vice-Principal until 1979 and a former Head of the History Department, teacher, coach and administrator. It is awarded to a student who demonstrates courage and tenacity in athletics and service to the School.

  • Walter Burman Alumni Memorial Boarding Scholarship Fund

    The Walter Burman Alumni Memorial Boarding Scholarship is awarded in honour of Walter Burman 1898, Headmaster of St. John's College School from 1929-1946.

Contact:

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  • Photo of Christina Barwinsky

    Christina Barwinsky 86

    Director of Advancement
    497

St. John's-Ravenscourt

400 South Drive, Winnipeg, MB R3T 3K5 - VIEW MAP   
E: info@sjr.mb.ca   
P: 204.477.2400
SJR is proud to be accredited and affiliated with several local, national and international educational organizations.
St. John’s-Ravenscourt School was founded in 1820 principally to serve the children of the Selkirk settlers. By 1834 there were forty students, evenly split between boys and girls. SJR has inevitably grown and changed over the years since, though its success throughout has been unimpeachable. Today the programs are as strong as our reputation. A strong academic program is paired with an equally strong attention to the values of stewardship, ethical leadership, and excellence in all areas of academic, social and athletic life.