Darren Entwistle and Fiona Entwistle have donated CAD $1 million to the TELUS Friendly Future Foundation to expand the TELUS Student Bursary programme and create a new technology bursary for underserved students.
The donation will fund the Entwistle Technology Bursary for students in British Columbia and Quebec pursuing post-secondary education in science, maths and technology. It is aimed at young people facing financial barriers, with a focus on applicants who are active in their communities.
The contribution comes as Canada faces pressure to widen access to science and technology education amid concerns about STEM talent shortages. The gift will be placed in a long-term investment strategy and is expected to support at least 15 additional bursaries each year on an ongoing basis.
The expanded support will begin with students entering in the academic cycle after the current 2026/27 application round. Demand for bursaries has risen compared with previous years, the foundation said.
Launched in 2023, the Student Bursary programme has awarded 2,000 bursaries worth more than CAD $6 million across Canada. According to the foundation, more than half have gone to first-generation post-secondary students.
Recipients receive more than financial support. The programme also provides access to mental health services through TELUS Health, as well as internet and mobile services through the company's social impact schemes.
The latest donation adds to Darren Entwistle's record of personal giving tied to TELUS-backed causes. In 2020, he donated 50 per cent of his salary to support Covid-19 relief efforts across Canada.
Fiona Entwistle has also held roles linked to the group's charitable work, serving for a combined 12 years as a Volunteer Director of the TELUS Vancouver Community Board and as a member of the TELUS Friendly Future Foundation Board of Directors.
Focus on access
The new bursary is designed to reduce the effect of household income on access to technical and post-secondary education. It reflects a broader effort by companies and charities in Canada to address the cost barriers that can keep lower-income students out of subjects linked to the digital economy.
TELUS Friendly Future Foundation is a Canadian charity connected to the telecoms group's social impact work. Since 2005, the foundation and TELUS Community Boards have contributed CAD $150 million to more than 11,500 charitable initiatives in Canada and other countries.
In Canada, the organisation has provided CAD $137 million in grants. In 2025 alone, its Canadian spending on grants and student bursaries exceeded CAD $10 million.
Darren Entwistle, President and Chief Executive Officer of TELUS, said the bursary reflects a long-held belief in the importance of education and community service.
"Our family has long believed that empowering youth is the most impactful investment one can make for the future of our country," said Darren Entwistle, President and Chief Executive Officer, TELUS. "Through our gift to the TELUS Friendly Future Foundation's Student Bursary Programme, we feel privileged to help underserved students in Canada pursue their ambitions of a post-secondary or technical vocation education in technology. Importantly, by removing financial barriers to education and supporting youth who are actively volunteering to drive positive social change in their communities, we are enriching Canada's future talent pool in a world where the development of human resources has never been more important, nor more challenging. Indeed, my career at TELUS reflects a passion for the amazing accomplishments that can be realised when you combine a smart business strategy with innovative technology and ingenious human beings, all whilst simultaneously embracing the responsibility we all share for the betterment of our communities. This is why we are committed to amplifying the skills, innovation and crucial humanistic values that will move Canada to the forefront of global competitiveness and productivity, by creating a friendlier future for young Canadians in need of a helping hand and the opportunity to achieve their potential."
Nimmi Kanji, Executive Director of the foundation, said the contribution would widen the programme's reach.
"We are profoundly grateful to the Entwistle family for their visionary support of Canadian youth," said Nimmi Kanji, Executive Director, TELUS Friendly Future Foundation. "With this $1 million commitment, the new Entwistle Technology Bursary will empower the next generation of innovators, providing talented, purpose-driven students with the opportunity to become the changemakers of tomorrow, regardless of their financial circumstances."
Juggy Sihota, Chair of the foundation, said the funding would have a long-term effect on student access.
"Darren and Fiona Entwistle's generosity will create a legacy of opportunity for generations of Canadian students and a brighter future for them and their families," said Sihota. "We are grateful for their trust in our foundation and their commitment to supporting students as they follow their dreams in technology innovation. This extraordinary, purpose-driven gift and investment in underserved youth will help ensure that brilliant minds from all backgrounds have the opportunity to thrive."