For Dr. Sandra Efu and her family, giving back was always in the cards. The bigger question was the ‘how.’
She moved to Fort McMurray with her husband and daughter in 2013, where she got involved in community from the start with Social Prosperity Wood Buffalo before joining Keyano College as a faculty member in their School of Business. She is now the interim President and CEO, in a career that has focused on supporting learners and the potential of youth in northern Alberta.
“My family and I are academics at heart. My daughter for example—she’s the only kid I know that cries at school pickup,” she says. “We want to give to the community we are part of, because as members of society, we have a responsibility to make sure it’s better than how we met it.”
A few years ago, her family decided to put something formal into motion and establish a student scholarship to provide opportunities for those who otherwise wouldn’t have access to postsecondary education, specifically supporting students from African descent.
“The more we looked into it, the more complicated it got—it got overwhelming quickly.”
That’s where the Wood Buffalo Community Foundation (WBCF) came in. Sandra was introduced to the WBCF through another conversation and through that, discovered that the foundation could take on the legwork.
“WBCF simplifies the process—it was so easy. They do all the work and make it easy to give back. I did a happy dance.”
After a few months, the scholarship was set up with an initial investment of $10,000. The Efu family contribute a minimum of the same amount every year. They also hope that others will continue to donate to the fund to help it grow.
“It doesn’t take a lot to give back. You don’t need hundreds of thousands of dollars to start a fund. The hardest part is the start,” she says. “Having an organization like WBCF to simplify the process is such a benefit to any individual or community.”
Aside from the ease in process, Sandra also shares an important reflection.
“If not us, then who? Waiting for someone else to take the responsibility won’t make society better. It is up to us,” she says.
“Rise up to the challenge and recognize that every effort is a step taken.”
Curious about setting up your own scholarship? Let WBCF take on the legwork and help you realize your philanthropy goals today.
