Gaelic College Foundation
The Gaelic College Foundation (Business Registration Number: 118934538RR0001) is a Canadian registered charity that supports Colaisde na Gàidhlig (The Gaelic College), a non-profit educational institution dedicated to preserving and promoting the Gaelic language, music, crafts, and cultural traditions of Scottish Highlanders in Nova Scotia. Established in 1938, the college operates under the formal name The Royal Cape Breton Gaelic College (Scottish Gaelic: Colaisde Rìoghail na Gàidhlig) and is located in St. Anns, Cape Breton Island, along the Cabot Trail[1][5].

As the primary fundraising entity for the college, the foundation ensures year-round programming in traditional arts such as Cape Breton fiddling, piping, step-dancing, weaving, and Gaelic language instruction[3][5]. The college is recognized as the only institution of its kind in North America, offering courses taught by experts in Nova Scotia’s Gaelic culture[1][3].

The foundation secures financial support to maintain the college’s facilities, deliver cultural demonstrations, and provide bursaries. It emphasizes preserving the customs brought by 18th- and 19th-century Scottish immigrants, including kilt-making and tartan craftsmanship[1][4]. Governance includes a board and honorary governors, with membership opportunities for donors to participate in the organization’s strategic direction[2].

Colaisde na Gàidhlig holds a unique status as a non-denominational institution with an international reputation for safeguarding Gaelic heritage. Its campus features a museum and hosts events that highlight the region’s Scottish settlement history[1][5]. The foundation’s charitable efforts align with its mission to sustain these traditions for future generations[3][4].

[1] https://gaeliccollege.edu [2] https://gaeliccollege.edu/about/board-foundation/ [3] https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/gaelic-college-foundation/ [4] https://gaeliccollege.edu/about/donations-bursaries/ [5] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Gaelic_College