Samit & Reshma Sharma Foundation

In March 2026 the Samit & Reshma Sharma Foundation established a $200,004 endowment that will fund the Samit & Reshma Excellence Award in Culinary Arts, the Samit & Reshma Sharma Excellence Award in Applied Sciences, the Samit & Reshma Sharma Excellence Award in Health Studies, and the Samit & Reshma Sharma Excellence Award in Industrial Technology & Trades. This generous gift aims to enhance Excellence in Education and will provide educational opportunities for students who have demonstrated exceptional overall achievement in their first year of study, combining academic excellence, leadership, financial need, volunteerism, peer collaboration, and personal growth.

The unique value of the gift reflects its deeper culture significance. In Indian tradition, odd numbers are considered auspicious, and adding one to a charitable gift symbolizes a seed for future growth. “The idea is that the number with the zero is for the cause you are giving to,” explained Samit Sharma, “and the additional one is added as a symbol of growth, so the gift continues to grow from that point onward.”

Founded in Kingston, Ontario, the Samit & Reshma Sharma Foundation is dedicated to recognizing, promoting, and celebrating exceptional scholars and distinguished programs in post‑secondary education, skill development, learning, and research. Its work is grounded in the belief that education drives prosperity, fosters innovation, and fuels societal progress, and that recognizing excellence helps it grow.