About KEATCA
Our Vision
We believe that education is an important tool in poverty reduction. Therefore, we envision all those experiencing poverty to have access to free public post-secondary education and training.
Our Mission
We assist students experiencing poverty by providing post-secondary grants, while advocating for affordable and accessible public post-secondary education and training.
How We Do This
KEATCA uses an endowment fund model to provide grants. An endowment fund is like a pot of money, and the investment income earned from the fund continually provides funding for grants. This means, that every dollar raised remains in the fund and contributes to growing the pot, allowing for the continuation of grants. The larger the pot, the greater potential for available grant funding.
KEATCA works with partner organizations who share its values in poverty reduction and education.
Five grants are presently provided under KEATCA and can be availed by individuals and partner organizations. These are the Annual KEATCA Grant, Bala and Ram Jakhu Grant (in partnership with Institute of Air and Space, McGill University), Charan and Daljit Gill Grant, Dewayani Pundit Grant, and Black Students in Canada Grant (seeking partners).
Our History
The Knowledge, Education and Training Canada (KEATCA) fund was co-founded by Melinda and Ramesh Singal in 2008 on the premise that post-secondary education should be affordable and accessible to all. Their cumulative experience had showed them how education can be an important tool to break the cycle of poverty. Melinda and Ramesh wanted to create a sustainable way in which students experiencing poverty could access funds towards their public post-secondary education and not be burdened by student loans keeping them in the cycle of poverty. With this in mind, a small endowment fund was started with the contributions of friends and family. The pot continues to grow over the years, increasing the number of grants each year.
The endowment fund is housed at Vancity Community Foundation in B.C. Currently, KEATCA has a board comprised of nine hard working volunteers
Melinda and Ramesh Singal live in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada. They are both retired and enjoy meeting new people, traveling, and gardening.