The Transformational Learning Fund was established by the MacNeill family because they wished to support individuals who need resources to improve their socio-economic status and/or increase their transformative leadership.

In the mid-1950s, Dorothy Bourne and Kenley MacNeill both felt the pull to serve in a leadership capacity in their beloved United Church of Canada. Coming from St. Johns, NL, and Malagash, NS, respectively, Dorothy and Kenley met at the Young People’s Union National Leadership Event at the newly established Atlantic Christian Training Centre (now Tatamagouche Centre). Dorothy soon became ACTC’s first secretary, while Kenley enrolled in further leadership training there. The Centre, with its vision of transformative education and experience-based learning, continued to play an important part in their lives. After marrying, the MacNeill’s returned to the Centre many times as participants, as leaders, and as volunteers. The Centre has always been a place of discovery, offering new models of education, new understandings of group dynamics, as well as new awareness of emerging societal and theological developments. The MacNeill’s established the Transformational Learning Fund to provide people the opportunity to experience the same transformative learning.

Criteria:

The fund will provide bursaries to students enrolling in educational programs who demonstrate an openness to being transformed through their learning experience.  
Applicants either apply, or are nominated by a United Church of Canada outreach ministry. The granting process will be undertaken by the United Church of Canada Foundation, and where possible input from the McNeill Family will be provided.  
Funds are available annually, and we welcome applications and nominations for individuals or programs which provide a transformative learning opportunity and where:
•	The individual/program has limited financial resources.
•	The individual/program has promise and the possibility to be transformative in the lives of the participant(s)
•	The bursary will help offset the schooling/professional development/course costs (including living and travel costs)

Please submit the completed form by email to grants@united-church.ca

Nominator Information (If Applicable):

Name (First, Last): 
		
Organization Name:
	
Mailing Address:

	
Telephone number:
	E-mail address:	

Applicant/Nominee Information:

Name (First, Last): 
		
Organization Name (If Applicable):
	
Mailing Address:

	
Telephone number:
	E-mail address:	

Have you previously been awarded a bursary from the Transformational Leadership Fund?	Yes	No	
Are you applying for any other grants in support of this learning opportunity?	Yes	No	
Will this learning opportunity take place in Canada?	Yes	No	
Do you have limited financial resources?	Yes	No	

What is the learning opportunity you are currently pursuing and at what institution?	

	
What is your purpose for seeking this opportunity? How will this opportunity be transformative in your life?	

	
How will the grant bursary funds be used?	

	
Please state briefly any other information pertinent to your application that you would like us to know.	

	

Please indicate how you heard of the Transformational Learning Fund.	

	

Amount of bursary Request: $____________________

Date: _____________________Signature of Applicant: ______________________________________