Introducing the Giller Mantella Scholarship, presented by Mantella Corporation
June 12, 2023
The Giller Foundation and Mantella Corporation proudly establish the Giller Mantella Scholarship for Black, Indigenous and Racialized Students
June 12, 2023 (Toronto, Ontario) – The Giller Foundation, the charitable foundation that administers the Scotiabank Giller Prize, and Mantella Corporation, are proud to announce a new scholarship program for high school graduates across Canada interested in pursuing continued education in creative writing and literature.
The Giller Mantella Scholarship for Black, Indigenous and racialized students will award $10,000 to three deserving recipients each year to help further their studies. The program will run for three years with the potential to be extended.
The scholarship program aims to support diversity and inclusion, specifically amongst Black, Indigenous and racialized youth intent on enhancing their post-secondary education.
“We wanted to create an opportunity for high school students who may not have access to traditional financial aid and scholarships,” said Elana Rabinovitch, Executive Director of The Giller Foundation. “We hope the scholarship will make a meaningful difference in the lives of the recipients who have a passion for writing and help them achieve their academic and career goals.”
Sylvia Mantella, Vice President Marketing, Sponsorship and Philanthropy, said: “Mantella Corporation is honoured to partner with the prestigious Giller Foundation establishing the Giller Mantella Scholarship for Black, Indigenous and racialized students, recognizing the need to support opportunities and the desire to illuminate the literary talent throughout our diverse communities.”
Canada’s literary community has embraced the Giller Mantella Scholarship.
“The Giller Mantella Scholarship is a gift to the imaginations of future readers and writers alike. The scholarship makes it possible for young people who otherwise might not imagine themselves pursuing studies, vocations, and careers in writing to do so. Future readers across Canada and beyond will benefit.” – Randy Boyagoda, novelist and Professor of English, University of Toronto
“I wish a scholarship like this existed when I was a young writer, fresh out of high school, caught between options for my future, between being practical and being true to myself. The Giller Mantella scholarship will transform the lives of several racialized students across Canada, who no longer have to view a creative life as an inaccessible luxury. This is what good literary citizenship looks like. This is what encouragement looks like. This is what activism looks like.” – Ian Williams, 2019 Scotiabank Giller Prize winner
The Giller Mantella Scholarship will begin accepting applications in March, 2024. To be eligible, applicants must identify as Black, Indigenous or racialized and demonstrate the merits of their academic and extracurricular achievements.
Scholarship Partners Canada, a division of Universities Canada, will be administering the Giller Mantella Scholarship on behalf of The Giller Foundation
About the Giller Foundation:
Founded in 1994, the Doris Giller Rabinovitch Foundation’s sole task was the administration of the newly-created Giller Prize. With the growth of the award, the Giller Foundation today has expanded its mandate to include bold offerings both virtual and live for a growing and committed audience of readers. Our mission is to stimulate literary conversation by expanding the awareness of the most excellent, distinct, diverse and accomplished Canadian authors and their work. We ensure inclusivity and access to all of our programming and make certain that programming reflects the true face of Canada.
About the Mantella Corporation:
Mantella Corporation was established in 1946 and remains one of the largest Canadian privately held family owned real estate and land development companies. Mantella Corporation manages a prestigious portfolio of commercial and industrial buildings, as well as prime development properties in Ontario.We focus on community supporting over 30 diverse charitable organizations aiding children, hospitals, human trafficking, underserved communities, education, conservation of wildlife and more. We are committed to giving back through significant dedicated volunteer efforts, donations, sponsorships and grants.
Please visit scotiabankgillerprize.ca/giller-mantella-scholarship for more information about the scholarship and how to apply.
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For more information, please contact:
Elana Rabinovitch
elana@scotiabankgillerprize.ca
416-275-5418