Jim August Memorial Opportunity Fund Bursary

The Jim August Memorial Opportunity Fund Bursary will support students who meet the criteria of UWinnipeg’s Opportunity Fund. Recipients must demonstrate financial need and come from one (or more) of the following groups: Indigenous students, recent immigrants, students with refugee backgrounds, first generation students, and/or mature students.

This award was established by Jim’s closest friends and family in memory of his tremendous legacy of service to the City of Winnipeg. Growing up in Winnipeg’s North End, Jim’s formative years were spent at the North End YMCA. His time in the Y’s leadership program had a profound impact on the course of his life. His charm and sense of humour led him to make strong connections with people from all walks of life.

Over four decades Jim had a hand in helping change the downtown. Jim’s leadership roles included serving as CEO at The Forks/North Portage Partnership and earlier as General Manager at the Winnipeg Core Area Initiative, the country’s first tri-level government agreement for inner city revitalization. He was at various times chair of the Winnipeg Arts Council as an advocate for public art and was on the board and chair for a time at the University of Winnipeg Community Renewal Corporation. He was a director of the Friends of Upper Fort Garry through its renewal as an attraction and a board member of the Assiniboine Park Conservancy.

As stated by Jim at the time of his retirement in 2014 when reflecting on accomplishments in the downtown, “as we progress as a community we have to give the same kind of energy toward ensuring quality education for those less fortunate”.