Scholarships, Grants & Recognition

Courage, bravery, and quick thinking are often required to rescue a drowning person. Risking one’s own life characterizes many rescues as acts of selfless bravery.

Many of the most tragic drownings involve children too young to swim, or those in the company of others unable to swim or perform a lifesaving rescue. This Fund seeks to foster a family and community approach to aquatic safety. Parents are encouraged to ensure that all family members attain swimming and lifesaving skills to be prepared to save themselves and others in aquatic emergencies.

The George A. Brown scholarship and award acknowledge acts of bravery and rescue performed by any pre-teen who lives in British Columbia or Yukon. The fund annually bestows a $500 award and lifesaving program scholarship: the latter being tailored to the needs and ability of the recipient.

In promoting improved aquatic safety for youth, the George A. Brown Memorial Fund also provides grants to help project funding that promote aquatic safety and lifesaving. This element of the fund is open to applications from groups or individuals regardless of age and supports new initiatives in areas such as public education or training, related to youth and aquatic safety projects.

George A. Brown 1937 – 1994
The late George A. Brown was both Branch Governor and Commonwealth Life Member for the Royal Life Saving Society. This memorial fund was established in his honor and helps to continue the work in which he so strongly believed.

To enable the fund to continue bestowing awards, scholarships and grants, the George A. Brown Memorial Fund invites you to support this invaluable work in any way you can. Donations of any size are gratefully received and are acknowledged with a tax receipt. Donations in kind and corporate sponsorship for specific projects are also welcome.

The Derek Laverty Competition fund was established in November 2004 in memory of Derek Laverty. Derek Laverty was the former Manager of Aquatics for the City of Vancouver and a strong supporter of lifeguard competition and of the Lifesaving Society of BC & Yukon.

Funding Objective:
The purpose of this fund is to assist in defraying the cost of participating in lifeguard competition for competitors, judges, officials, coaches and hosts. The value of lifeguard competition is seen in the increased opportunity for lifeguard training; advancement in lifeguard procedures; contribute to excellence in BC & Yukon lifeguards; enhanced camaraderie and fun among lifeguards and officials; potential for national and international competition. Funding will also provide opportunities for those who may not otherwise be able to participate.

Eligibility:
Applicants must be a current or past holder of a Lifesaving Society award issued by the BC & Yukon Branch. Funding requested should represent no more than 50% of the total funding required to participate.

Method of Application:
Applicants must provide the following documentation to qualify for funding:

– Completed application form
– A summary document outlining the need and use of funding
– Budget for the applicant’s participation
– Sources for additional funding

Eligible Uses of Funding:
Funds can be used toward registration fees, travel, equipment, uniforms, accommodation, and food.

Ineligible Uses of Funding:
Funds cannot be used to cover 100% of participant costs, training costs, or retroactive funding.

Application process:
Applications will be accepted at any time and forwarded to the Task Force, however meetings to review funding requests will take place quarterly, at the beginning of each month listed below:

March: application due February 28
June: application due May 31
September: application due August 31
December: application due November 30

All applicants will be notified during the following week of the Committee meeting.

Funding Criteria:
Consideration for funding will include items such as financial need, fundraising involvement, and volunteer involvement in Lifeguard competitions, and with the Branch

The President’s Fund was established in 2001 and has grown steadily through donations and fund-raising activities organized by our dedicated Board members. Each year, our funding objective is to grow the fund to a minimum level of $25,000, which enables us to provide continuing annual grants to support aquatic safety research and development in our local communities. Your contribution to the President’s Fund supports our mission to reduce water-related incidents throughout B.C. and the Yukon.

The application can be found below. For more information, please contact the Branch office.