Empowering communities through education.
We fund scholarships, schools, meals and literacy programs so that hope and opportunity reach the people who need them most.
Our mission
At the Stephen Pax Trust, our mission is to create a broad community impact. We focus on supporting development projects that advance education, relieve poverty and restore dignity for generations to come.
Moments of hope and change
A glimpse of the students, schools and communities the Trust supports.
Support our mission
The Stephen Pax Trust is dedicated to facilitating meaningful change in the lives of those in need. Share our mission to advance education and relieve poverty.
Contact us about contributingCharitable inquiries
We are determined to address all causes aligned with our mission. Tell us about yours.
Hours
- Mon – Fri
- 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- Sat – Sun
- Closed
“Freedom consists not in doing what we like, but in having the right to do what we ought.”Pope John Paul II
Empowering lives through compassion
Providing scholarships and compassionate support to those in need.
The Stephen Pax Trust is dedicated to uplifting lives through compassion, dignity and opportunity. Guided by a spirit of service, we provide meaningful assistance to individuals and families facing hardship. We support students through academic scholarships, offer direct financial assistance to those struggling to meet essential needs, and proudly support the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), one of Canada’s oldest and most respected organizations promoting mental health education for all. Every act of giving is rooted in our belief that hope and opportunity can restore strength, dignity and a future to those in need.
Investing in stronger communities
Developing schools, learning and meal programs to advance education.
We extend our mission beyond individual care to strengthen the very foundations of community life. We help build and develop schools, provide scholarships and fund school meal programs that ensure children not only learn, but thrive. Each project reflects our belief that education, nourishment and belonging are sacred pathways to human dignity.
What we fund
Five program areas, one purpose.
Student scholarships
Our scholarships help deserving students access quality education, from primary to post-secondary levels. These awards honour academic promise and build pathways to lifelong opportunity.
Mental health promotion
We are honoured to support the work of the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), one of Canada’s oldest and most respected organizations promoting mental health for all.
Community literacy
We support community reading programs, book drives and adult literacy efforts, helping individuals and families unlock knowledge and independence through learning.
School development grants
Through funding and partnerships, we help build and renovate schools, providing children with safe, inspiring spaces to learn. Education remains central to our belief in lasting social renewal.
Nutrition for learning
We fund school lunch and nutrition programs that combat hunger and improve student wellbeing, so children can learn and grow without the burden of empty stomachs.
Have a project in mind?
Scholarship and grant applications are open to qualified individuals and organizations.
Scholarship & grant applications
The Stephen Pax Trust provides financial assistance to those in need who meet the criteria set by the Board of Directors. Scholarships and development grants are available to qualified applicants.
Eligibility
We welcome applications from individuals and communities in genuine need of assistance, in keeping with our mission to serve through faith, compassion and opportunity. Choose the program that fits you.
Citizenship
Applicants must be citizens of Canada or eligible countries, with priority given to those from developing nations as defined by the United Nations Human Development Index (UN-HDI).
Academic admission
Applicants must have secured admission to a recognized and accredited institution of learning, such as a university, college or technical training institute, before applying.
Academic aptitude
Candidates should demonstrate strong academic performance and intellectual potential, supported by recent transcripts or academic records.
Leadership and character
We seek applicants who display leadership potential and a commitment to ethical, transformative action: people who inspire others and strive to create positive, lasting change in their communities.
Barriers to education
This program supports high-achieving individuals who have faced significant challenges in accessing education, including economic hardship, social or political constraints, family or health-related difficulties, or geographic isolation.
Commitment to service
Applicants should demonstrate dedication to giving back through volunteer work, community leadership, mentorship or civic engagement. Education is both a gift and a responsibility to serve others.
Before applying, make sure you
- Are a citizen of an approved country
- Have official admission to a recognized public or private institution
- Are not currently receiving another government or external scholarship
- Can demonstrate both financial need and academic merit with supporting documents
Eligible institutions
- Licensed elementary and secondary schools
- Accredited universities and colleges
- Recognized technical and vocational training institutions
- Accredited community colleges and colleges of education
- Other legally accredited institutions of learning
How to apply
Review the criteria above to make sure you qualify.
Cover letter, proof of admission, valid identification and the completed application form.
Email everything to director@stephenpax.org.
Shortlisted applicants will be contacted for an interview or further verification.
Organizational status
Applicants must be a registered non-profit organization, NGO or community governing body with legal standing in their country, operating in an approved country. Priority goes to organizations in Canada or developing nations as defined by the UN-HDI.
Mission alignment
Projects must clearly align with the Trust’s mission to serve the poor, support education and uplift marginalized communities, and focus on one or more of:
- School construction or educational development
- Literacy and teacher-training programs
- Orphanage support and child welfare
- Nutrition and school-meal programs
- Community health and wellbeing initiatives
- Women’s empowerment and widows’ livelihood programs
Organizational capacity
A governing structure such as a board of trustees or directors, the capacity to manage funds responsibly, transparent financial practices with regular reporting, and evidence of community engagement or local partnerships.
Demonstrated need
Operate in a region facing educational, economic or social disadvantage, and show how the proposed project addresses local challenges with measurable, sustainable improvement.
Non-duplication of funding
Organizations must not currently receive equivalent funding for the same project from another major donor or government body.
What a grant can cover
Development grants may provide partial or full funding for approved projects, including:
- School construction, rehabilitation or furnishing
- Community-based literacy or health-education programs
- Equipment, materials or technology for accredited institutions
- Training and capacity-building workshops
- Nutrition and child-welfare programs
- Sustainable livelihood initiatives aligned with the Trust’s charitable goals
How to apply
Review the requirements above to make sure your organization qualifies.
Letter of intent, detailed project proposal with budget and outcomes, proof of legal registration, a recent financial statement, and optional letters of support.
Shortlisted organizations are invited to a virtual or in-person consultation for due diligence.
Successful applicants receive formal notification and agree to basic progress reporting on the use and impact of funds.
Downloads
Andrew T. Stephen
Sole benefactor of the Stephen Pax Trust
The Stephen Pax Trust is made possible through the generous endowment and enduring vision of our benefactor Andrew T. Stephen and the Stephen family, whose commitment to faith, compassion and human dignity guides every act of giving undertaken by the Trust.
This steadfast generosity provides the foundation for our scholarships, community development projects and humanitarian efforts, ensuring that each initiative reflects a legacy of peace (pax) and service to those most in need.
Through this benefaction, the Trust is empowered to carry forward a mission of hope that uplifts lives and strengthens communities for generations to come.