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Our primary fundraising focus is to support the Martin Marriott Foundation to provide transformational bursaries to deserving pupils who would otherwise be unable to access all that a Canford education has to offer.
As Canford enters its second centenary, it is with real pleasure and pride that we can celebrate a bursary programme that is growing and supporting children who are thriving, grasping every opportunity offered to them and thoroughly enjoying their Canford education. This is only made possible by our generous donors. Like many who enjoyed bursaries (or Direct Grants/Assisted Places) in the past, we want future generations to be able to benefit from the same opportunities. By joining us and making a gift, not only are you changing the lives of individual pupils, the benefits of bursary awards extend far beyond those who receive them; they enrich the whole School by enhancing its intellectual and social diversity and their presence within both the Canford community and their home communities enhances the lives of many others. The beauty of the Martin Marriott Foundation is that in helping individuals, they each go out into the wider world with the inbuilt responsibility to not only flourish themselves but to help others. YOU are making that happen.
However, there is more work to be done. Our aim is to have 10% of our pupils on 100% bursaries by 2033. Would you be willing to join us and help to achieve this?
Mark is the third SpringBoard pupil to complete his Canford career following his brother Matthew, just one year later. Coming to Canford was a massive step up and a big adjustment for Mark . “I was welcomed easily into House life being in the same House as my brother – we eventually got on well together!”
The difference in socio-economic backgrounds was not a problem. “There are clearly differences but no one really cares about it or mentions it.” Coming from East London via the Eastside Young Leaders’ Academy, “I could easily have been led down a very different pathway had I stayed in that environment.” Compared to his friends near home, he has had a completely different life. “Canford has helped me to become a well rounded individual with high values and morals. It has given me a head start in life and access to things I didn’t know existed. I have connections and have been helped with guidance for university and employment. My House became my part-time home. I made the best friends and was guided so generously by my Housemaster. Thank you.”
Your donation, no matter how large or small, will help provide a place for a talented pupil who would otherwise not have the opportunity of a Canford education.
Please complete the online form below or download and complete our donation form if you would like to set up a regular gift.
You can support the Martin Marriott Foundation for bursaries by donating a single gift in a number of ways - online, via cheque or bank transfer. Please download our donation form if you wish to send a cheque or donate via a bank transfer.
In many ways, remembering Canford in your Will is the greatest gift you can make to the school. It signifies your belief in all that Canford stands for and creates an enduring testimony.
Sponsor a stone and have your name engraved for a lifetime link to Canford. For every stone sponsored, Canford will donate a book to our partner school, The Bourne Academy.
We have a number of pupils in receipt of a bursary who are being funded individually by Old Canfordians and Canford parents.
Canford is a member of the British Schools & Universities Foundation (BSUF Inc.), a non-profit, tax-exempt educational, scientific and literary foundation. The mission of BSUF Inc. is to promote and support the fundraising efforts of British schools and universities by their US alumni and friends.
Gifts of shares, securities or other property benefit particularly well from Canford's charitable status. The value of a gift of shares to Canford can be increased considerably through tax relief.
Please email Rowena Gaston to find out more.
As an alternative to a direct debit, you can donate on a regular basis through payroll giving. This is a means of making a gift directly from your salary before income tax is deducted. As a result, you will automatically get tax relief at your top rate of tax, with Canford receiving the gross value.
Please contact your employer's own payroll department to find out whether they participate in this scheme.
We have great ambitions for expanding our bursary programme. Whilst we invest a considerable sum of school funds towards bursaries each year, we will achieve our ambitions much faster with investment from major donors. Could you help?
Match funding is also known as matched giving. This is an initiative run by many companies that will match an employee's donation to a registered charity up to a specified upper limit.
Canford may accept gifts of property, art, literature and other articles. We also accept gifts for our annual online auction. Please contact the Development Office to discuss this.
If you haven't signed up yet, it's easy and completely free. 5,000 shops and sites will donate to us when you use easyfundraising to do your everyday online shopping - at no extra cost to you!
Following a serious accident, Fizzie’s father was unable to work so her family is financially supported solely by her mother meaning that a bursary was essential for a place at Canford. As a boarder, Canford quickly became home from home and her life felt very settled and stable whilst at Canford.
As a keen and talented artist “the art department was amazing in both resources on offer and teachers who had endless ideas when helping with my work. I developed a love of Classical Civilisations - something I had never encountered before Canford. I took part in dance, learnt the cello and played Lacrosse representing Canford’s 1st team. I received round the clock support when needed which was invaluable.”
“As a boarder I learnt to live side by side with other pupils which developed my tolerance, appreciation and cooperation with others. You gradually earn your own space in House but Canford is small enough to know everyone and you really do feel that you are part of a meaningful community.”
As a Pupil Leader for philanthropy Fizzie was enthusiastic and instrumental in bringing together the first whole school fundraising event – a colour run - in aid of the Martin Marriott Foundation for bursaries. She was challenged by a few contemporaries who asked why they should raise money for bursaries and her brave response was – “if it wasn’t for the bursary programme, I wouldn’t be here!”
Fizzie fully supports Canford’s drive to increase accessibility and sees that it not only benefits the individual but can really make pupils understand the opportunities that they have and brings a reality and appreciation of the privileges that they enjoy.
Arian chose to apply to Canford as he felt he needed a change and really wanted to have the ability to express himself and access more opportunities. When he visited for his entrance tests he stayed with Mr Vandvik (Housemaster) but living relatively locally, he hadn’t considered a boarding place and the cost would have been even more prohibitive.
When Arian was accepted on a full bursary he was ecstatic and his family were delighted. He joined in the Sixth Form during the Covid-19 pandemic which meant starting a new school and trying to make friends and build relationships online. This was not easy but he knew he was already getting a great head start to his Sixth Form years. When School returned to in-person, Arian boarded in Court House.
“It was great! Adapting to shorter lessons was different but it really does work and I always felt at my best, fresh and very productive. I took part in so much sport which I loved.”
Arian describes the different options and support he received at Canford to be exceptional. He did A Levels in Maths, History and French and through the careful considered support and research he received from his tutor, he is completing a very unusual university programme consisting of two bachelor degrees across 4 years – 2 years at SciencesPo in France and 2 years at Columbia, NYC. Arian received a full scholarship for this Ivy League establishment. Before coming to Canford, Arian considered himself to be very quiet and reserved and he felt his interests were being constrained. Arian made a very positive impression on the Canford Community and was appointed as Head of School after less than one year at Canford. When asked what difference coming to Canford has made to him... “It has unlocked my character and allowed me to excel.”
