The Margaret Willis Bursary Fund
The Margaret Willis Bursary Fund honors the memory of Margaret Willis, a young dancer who passed away at 15. Established by her family, the fund supports ballet and dance students in the Greater Saint John area through PRO Kids. It aims to inspire young dancers, keeping Margaret's passion for ballet alive.
Margaret Willis was the daughter of Christie Arthurs Willis and Philip Willis and sister to Elaine Willis and Stephen Willis. She died on June 28, 1980 at the tender age of 15 years.
During her all too short lifetime she developed a love for ballet, which was fostered while dancing at the Rothesay Ballet School under the guidance and nurturing of its Director, Sylvia Logan.
In celebration of her life and love of ballet, Margaret’s family established the Margaret Willis Bursary Fund to support ballet and/or dance students in the Greater Saint John area. The fund is administered by PRO Kids through the City of Saint John.
It is the hope of the family that the bursaries will encourage Margaret Willis’ talent and love of ballet to be passed on to other young people with similar interests and ability.
Donate to this fund
We are a registered charity, and all donations will receive an official donation receipt for income tax purposes. If you would like to make a donation to this fund, please use the button below. You'll be taken to our secure portal to make your donation.
If you would prefer to make a gift of shares, please contact Sarah Frauley, Director of Finance, at sarah@sjfoundation.ca or 506.645.1675.
More funds
The Discovery Day Camps Fund was created in 2026 by the Sisters of Charity of the Immaculate Conception to support summer programs through UNB Saint John’s Promise Partnership, helping children learn, connect, and thrive.
The Dr. Mary Patricia Donihee Gould Literacy Fund, established in 2024, provides annual grants to support literacy among marginalized children, honoring Patricia's dedication to education and community service.
In 2004/2005, The Friends of the Children's Aid Society transferred their funds to The Community Foundation, ensuring continued support for local children through its strong reputation and solid asset base.
The Joe Flynn Memorial Bursary Fund supports graduates of St. Malachy’s High School with a history of participating in amateur sport. The fund also supports P.R.O. Kids, helping children and youth access equipment and registration fees for sports.