A new chapter has begun for one of Alberta’s most dedicated education charities. The MaKami Education Foundation (MEF) — formerly known as Queen Esther Education Foundation — has officially launched under its new name, deepening its commitment to helping Albertans of all backgrounds access the education they deserve.
A New Name, the Same Powerful Mission
In September 2024, the foundation formally rebranded from Queen Esther Education Foundation to MaKami Education Foundation. The name change reflects the foundation’s close and natural connection to MaKami College — Alberta’s publicly funded, not-for-profit post-secondary institution with campuses in Edmonton and Calgary.
While the name is new, the work is not. MEF is a registered Canadian charity (Charitable No. 843277211 RR 0001) that has been operating since 2010 with a singular focus: to ensure that physical, mental, and socio-economic barriers never stand between a person and their educational dreams.
“Improving the lives of those in our community through the transforming power of education.”
What Is the MaKami Education Foundation?
MEF is an Alberta-based education foundation and registered charity with offices in both Edmonton and Calgary. Its mission is to empower individuals facing barriers to pursue post-secondary education at MaKami College and beyond.
The foundation takes a holistic approach to student support — recognizing that the obstacles keeping people out of classrooms aren’t always financial. Language, housing, childcare, mental health, and employment readiness all play a role. That’s why MEF has built a wraparound network of specialized services designed to meet students where they are.
Who Does MEF Serve?
The MaKami Education Foundation serves a wide and diverse range of Albertans, including:
Communities MEF Supports
- Immigrants and newcomers to Canada
- Indigenous Peoples
- Persons with disabilities
- Victims of human trafficking
- Individuals navigating addiction recovery
- Students facing socio-economic hardship
By serving these communities, MEF is helping build a more equitable Alberta — one where access to post-secondary education is a real possibility for every person, not just a privilege for the few.
How MEF Removes Barriers to Education
As an education foundation in Alberta, MEF goes far beyond traditional scholarship programs. Through tailored services and community partnerships, the foundation addresses the full spectrum of challenges students may face:
MEF’s Core Services
- Scholarships and bursaries for tuition, books, and supplies
- Financial assistance for living expenses
- English as a Second Language (ESL) training
- Document translation services
- Career counselling
- Mental health counselling and support
- Job skills training and employment assistance
- Housing assistance
- Childcare support
Scholarships & Bursaries Available Now
A cornerstone of MEF’s work is its scholarship and bursary program. Through the MaKami Education Foundation, students enrolled in programs at MaKami College can access a range of financial awards to help cover the real costs of education.
Among the foundation’s newest offerings is the General Hillier Valour and Service Veterans and Military Families Scholarship — established with an initial $1-million contribution from the founding family of MaKami College. Available as of April 1, 2025, this scholarship is specifically designed to honour the sacrifices of military families by removing financial barriers to higher education.
For a full overview of available scholarships and bursaries, and to learn about the application process, prospective students are encouraged to reach out to MEF directly.
About MaKami College
MaKami College is a publicly funded, not-for-profit academic institution with campuses in Edmonton and Calgary, Alberta. Founded in 2001, it has grown into the largest massage therapy school in Alberta, offering a broad range of health, business, and community-focused programs. MaKami became a not-for-profit institution in 2024, reinforcing its commitment to community over profit. Learn more at makamicollege.com.
Why This Education Foundation Matters for Alberta
Alberta is home to a vibrant and diverse population — and many of those residents face real, compounding barriers when it comes to accessing post-secondary education. The MaKami Education Foundation is one of the few organizations in the province addressing these barriers at every level: financially, linguistically, socially, and emotionally.
For newcomers navigating an unfamiliar system, for Indigenous students seeking culturally sensitive support, or for a single parent weighing childcare costs against tuition — MEF exists to say: there is a way forward, and we will help you find it.
By aligning closely with MaKami College under a unified name, the foundation is better positioned than ever to serve students, attract donors, and grow its community impact across Edmonton, Calgary, and all of Alberta.
How You Can Get Involved
MEF’s work depends on the generosity and engagement of the broader community. There are several ways to support the foundation’s mission:
Donate
Monetary donations — of any size — go directly toward scholarships, bursaries, and student support services. Every dollar helps an Albertan move one step closer to their educational goals.
Volunteer Your Time
MEF welcomes support from community members who want to contribute their skills, whether in mentorship, translation, career counselling, or event support.
Attend the Guiding Lights Gala
MEF’s signature fundraising event, the Guiding Lights Gala, brings together community leaders, supporters, and advocates to celebrate student success and raise funds for the foundation’s programs. Visit guidinglightsgala.ca for upcoming event details.
A Foundation Built on Community
MaKami College was founded by a family of first-generation Canadians who understood firsthand what it means to navigate a new country, a new language, and a new system. That lived experience has shaped everything about how MEF operates — with empathy, with urgency, and with a genuine belief that education transforms lives.
The rebranding to MaKami Education Foundation is more than a name change. It is a public declaration of alignment, accountability, and ambition: to be the leading education foundation in Alberta for students who need support the most.