The Minstrel Foundation relies upon the generous support of many individuals and corporate sponsors to fund programs and scholarships.

Each spring, a major fundraising event is held which brings together our supporters for an evening of entertainment and good company. In addition to performances by some of our talented students, many of Canada's leading artists have generously contributed their own performances. In recent years our headline performers have been Robert Pilon, Patricia O'Callaghan, Carol Welsman, Guido Basso, Mark Dubois, Ofra Harnoy, Don Harron, Lister Sinclair, Nancy Walker and her trio and Gloria Saarinen.

Donations are needed and welcome at any time during the year. There is always a new program or child in need of our help and your generosity.

Please contact the Minstrel Foundation if you would like to become one of our supporters, large or small, or become identified with one of our programs or a scholarship or award. Alternatively you can donate through Canada Helps by clicking the button below.

Your Donations at Work

Over a twelve year period, The Minstrel Foundation for Music & Arts Advancement financed 10000 music lessons at inner city music schools and provided for approximately 750 students to attend summer camps. With the support of corporate and private donations raised at our annual spring fundraising musical event, we have in addition to the above covered the costs of instruments, student participation in festivals, books and post secondary tuition for advanced music student studies.

The following is a breakdown of the funds distributed for music and arts programmes:

Regent Park School of Music Dixon Hall Music School University Settlement House Music & Arts School Canadian Children’s Opera Chorus Pia Bouman School of Ballet Summer Music Camps Minstrel Scholarships Violence For Violins Hagood Hardy Protégé Award Cassels Brock Music Award Freda Clarendon Griggs Award Other music programmes Total

$306,000 $110,000 $74,500 $23,000 $19,500 $139,800 $102,000 $10,000 $13,500 $2,500 $2,200 $7,250 $810,250