Toronto, August 19, 2024 – Baskin-Robbins, the world’s largest chain of ice cream specialty shops, expands its partnership with BGC Canada (formerly Boys & Girls Clubs of Canada) with the sponsorship of four scholarships helping eligible Canadian students invest in their post-secondary education. The recipients of the first round of scholarships, which are part of the ice cream brand’s Pink Spoon Community Program, are Chad from Toronto, Mahad from Ottawa, Jett from North Simcoe and Katie from Stettler, Alberta. Each student will receive $4,000 to help them on their path to academic success.

“A solid education is a critical element in life,” says Natalie Joseph, spokesperson for Baskin-Robbins in Canada. “We’ve been honoured and privileged to work with BGC Canada over the years and this expansion is a testament to our belief in their work and the importance of investing in young people. Congratulations to each of the recipients.”

The first four recipients receiving funds from Baskin-Robbins are affiliated with Clubs in both Ontario and Alberta.

Chad, a resident of Toronto and member at BGC Albion Club, is pursuing a computer systems technician diploma at Seneca College in the fall.

“When I found out I received the Baskin-Robbins Scholarship, I just thought how all my hard work and dedication…has culminated to this moment in time.”

From BGC Ottawa, Mahad is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at Carlton University.

“Growing up, the sciences have always been a passion of mine. I dreamed of discovering new possibilities within the world of science as a woman by breaking through societal standards and paving the way for other women to attain their educational goals. I am excited to pursue a career in the rigorous STEM field and this scholarship will allow me to succeed.”

Across Canada, students are getting ready to begin a new, more costly academic year. A recent study by Statista suggests that the cost of a post-secondary education has grown – an increase of *close to 3 percent in 2023 in tuition fees alone.

“The students have shared with us how excited, happy and relieved they are to receive this gift,” says Brooke Duval, Senior Director, Partnerships & Philanthropy at BGC Canada. “It is so rewarding to work with organizations like Baskin-Robbins on programs that truly make a difference.”

Through its Pink Spoon Community Program, Baskin-Robbins has been a partner of BGC Canada for the past seven years. The partnership includes an annual in-shop fundraiser and in-kind ice cream donations.

Recipients of the Baskin-Robbins Pink Spoon Scholarship program offered thanks via this video, English: https://vimeo.com/999212148/0b51d0f90d?share=copy

Baskin-Robbins is part of Inspire Brands, a global, multi-brand restaurant leader that has supported BGC Canada since 2017.

For more information on Baskin-Robbins Canada and its community programs and support we invite you to visit baskinrobbins.ca or follow the company on Facebook, X, TikTok and Instagram or view this partnership video here: https://vimeo.com/999209153/3e1fdf3c48?share=copy

Sources

* https://www.statista.com/statistics/542989/canadian-undergraduate-tuition-fees/#:~:text=The%20average%20annual%20undergraduate%20tuition,value%20in%20the%20observed%20period.

https://www.statcan.gc.ca/o1/en/plus/4489-crunching-numbers-postsecondary-students-academic-year

About Baskin-Robbins Canada

Baskin-Robbins was founded in 1945 by two ice cream enthusiasts who shared a dream to create an innovative ice cream shop that would be a neighbourhood gathering place for families. Celebrating 52 years in Canada earlier this year, Baskin-Robbins operates 115 locations in Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba, and British Columbia. Each year, more than 300 million people around the world visit Baskin-Robbins to enjoy some of the close to 1,400 flavours available in the brand’s ice cream library, as well as its assortment of frozen treats including frozen beverages, sundaes, Polar Pizza® ice cream treats and cakes. For more information on Baskin-Robbins Canada or any of its locations, visit baskinrobbins.ca.

About BGC Canada

For 125 years, BGC Canada (formerly Boys & Girls Clubs of Canada) has been creating opportunities for millions of Canadian kids and teens. As Canada’s largest child and youth serving charitable and community services organization, our Clubs open their doors to young people of all ages and their families at over 600 locations nationwide. During out-of-school hours in small and large cities, and rural and Indigenous communities, our trained staff and volunteers provide programs and services that help young people realize positive outcomes in self-expression, academics, healthy living, physical activity, job readiness, mental wellness, social development, leadership, and more. Opportunity changes everything. Learn more at bgccan.com and follow us on social media @BGCCAN.

For more information:  

Laurence Sauvé
Torchia Communications
laurence@torchiacom.com
514-984-4122

Published on Cision Oct. 26, 2021

BGC Canada to administer multi-year program to help empower the next generation of leaders and changemakers from the Black community

TORONTO, Oct. 26, 2021—CIBC is pleased to announce that applications are now being accepted for the Youth Accelerator, an initiative aimed at removing barriers for the next generation of leaders from the Black community by supporting their education and career ambitions. This new, multi-year program has been developed in collaboration with the BlackNorth Initiative (BNI) and is part of CIBC’s commitment to removing barriers and helping members of the Black community achieve their ambitions.

The Youth Accelerator will provide students from the Black community with $50,000 over four years for tuition, mentorship, financial education, and opportunities to secure paid internships or co-ops with other signatories of the BlackNorth CEO Pledge. Signatories include hundreds of businesses in a variety of sectors, offering students a broad platform for career discovery.

“CIBC is committed to helping end anti-Black systemic racism and that means tackling barriers that exist in our society today,” said Stephen Forbes, Executive Vice-President, Purpose, Brand and Corporate Affairs, CIBC. “In consultation with leaders from the Black community, we have developed an innovative program that will create a positive, long-term impact. It’s just one way we are taking concrete action aimed at making meaningful progress in addressing the inequity that exists today.”

“We are looking forward to partnering with CIBC and BGC Canada to create real opportunity for the next generation of leaders from the Black community,” says Dahabo Ahmed-Omer, Executive Director of the BlackNorth Initiative. “This initiative uniquely offers changemakers and emerging leaders in underrepresented communities with the resource they need to fully participate in post-secondary education without financial barriers. The BlackNorth Initiative is proud to support where both access and inclusion are a priority.”

BGC Canada (formerly Boys & Girls Club of Canada) is leading outreach and selection, working closely with CIBC and the BlackNorth Initiative to engage up to 30 candidates to be involved in the program in 2022.

“BGC Clubs across the country see firsthand the effects of systemic racism and we respond by opening our doors to young people of all backgrounds and identities and building social safety nets to catch those who fall into the gaps,” said Owen Charters, President & CEO, BGC Canada. “Having the support of CIBC and the BlackNorth Initiative will help us make great strides in our mission to remove barriers and create opportunities for Black youth.”

Students eligible for the program must be enrolled in Grade 10 as of the 2021/22 school year, with applications open until December 10, 2021.

About CIBC
CIBC is a leading North American financial institution with 10 million personal banking, business, public sector and institutional clients. Across Personal and Small Business Banking, Commercial Banking and Wealth Management, and Capital Markets businesses, CIBC offers a full range of advice, solutions and services through its leading digital banking network, and locations across Canada, in the United States and around the world. Ongoing news releases and more information about CIBC can be found at www.cibc.com/ca/media-centre.

About BlackNorth Initiative
The BlackNorth Initiative is on a mission to end anti-Black systemic racism throughout all aspects of our lives by utilizing a business-first mindset. We are committed to the removal of anti-Black systemic barriers negatively affecting the lives of Black Canadian.

About BGC Canada
For 120+ years, BGC Canada has been creating opportunities for millions of Canadian kids and teens. As Canada’s largest child and youth serving charitable and community services organization, our Clubs open their doors to young people of all ages and their families at 736 locations nationwide. During out-of-school hours in small and large cities, and rural and Indigenous communities, our trained staff and volunteers provide programs and services that help young people realize positive outcomes in self-expression, academics, healthy living, physical activity, job readiness, mental wellness, social development, leadership, and more. Opportunity changes everything. Learn more at bgccan.com and follow us on social media @BGCCAN.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Josh Burleton
CIBC Communications & Public Affairs
416-304-2712
josh.burleton@cibc.com

Jared Morrow
Media Relations Manager, BGC Canada
905-477-7272 x2202
jmorrow@bgccan.com