In the past six years, 91ÑÇÉ«’s donors have tripled their pledges to the University. This year alone, donors have given a total of nearly $36 million in new support. As a result, the 91ÑÇÉ« to the Power of 50 Campaign, celebrating 91ÑÇÉ«'s 50th anniversary, now stands at more than $160 million toward its $200-million goal.
Nearly 11,000 supporters – 91ÑÇÉ« alumni, friends, faculty, staff, retirees and students – helped set another record year of donations in support of the University’s academic and research priorities. The total of 10,843 paid and pledged donors represents a 77 per cent increase since 2002, the year the 91ÑÇÉ« Foundation was founded.
This year also saw the launch of the Family Campaign, geared specifically toward the University's faculty, staff and retirees. The Family Campaign has recruited more than 30 volunteers and has enlisted 1,751 participating donors – well on the way toward its goal of 2,009 donors for 91ÑÇÉ«’s 50th birthday in 2009.
Right: Celebrating the launch of the 91ÑÇÉ« to the Power of 50 Family Campaign with 91ÑÇÉ«'s mascots are, from left, Paul Marcus, president & CEO, 91ÑÇÉ« Foundation; Family Campaign co-chairs Professor Ronald Pearlman, Nancy Accinelli and Professor Ross Rudolph; and 91ÑÇÉ« President & Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri
“These outstanding numbers demonstrate the remarkable commitment of 91ÑÇÉ«’s generous supporters. They are mindful of the great impact their donations can have on the lives of our talented students and dedicated faculty and staff,” says Tim Price, chair of the 91ÑÇÉ« Foundation Board of Directors and a co-chair of the 91ÑÇÉ« to the Power of 50 Campaign. “We are incredibly grateful for their continuing support.”
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Above: Toasting past and present Honour Court donors at a reception in June are, from left, Terrie-Lynne Devonish, chief counsel of AON Consulting, member of the University Board of Governors and the campaign executive; Tim Price, chair of the 91ÑÇÉ« Foundation’s Board of Directors and co-chair of the 91ÑÇÉ« to the Power of 50 Campaign; Paul Marcus, president & CEO of 91ÑÇÉ« Foundation; Aidan Flatley, CEO of Kenaidan Contracting Ltd, member of the 91ÑÇÉ« Foundation Board of Directors and of the campaign executive; Bramilee Dhayanandhan, one of the inaugural recipients of the new Lillian Wright Maternal-Child Health Scholars Program scholarship; and 91ÑÇÉ« President & Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri |
"As we prepare to celebrate our 50th anniversary, our reputation as a leading interdisciplinary University is growing," says 91ÑÇÉ« President & Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri. "It’s growing because of the generosity of donors who help us to dream and build the University of the future. Their donations help us support students through grants and scholarships; build the infrastructure we need to achieve academic excellence; create Chairs and professorships to attract top scholars in their field and to intensify research in the service of society."
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| Above: 91ÑÇÉ« President & Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri and members of the 50 to the Power of 50 Group, comprising some of 91ÑÇÉ«'s best-known and most accomplished alumni, celebrate at a March speed-mentoring event that also kicked off a year-long countdown to 91ÑÇÉ«'s 50th anniversary |
Of particular note is the more than $7 million pledged last fiscal year in support of students, both undergraduate and graduate. Fully $4.6 million of this support was matched dollar-for-dollar through the Ontario Trust for Student Support Program, creating a permanent impact for 91ÑÇÉ« students.
“We are thrilled by the community’s response. The number of donors and the revenue raised reveal exponential growth," says Paul Marcus, president & CEO of the 91ÑÇÉ« Foundation. "Our fundraising is on an excellent trajectory as we head into our anniversary year of 2009. Our supporters deserve our deepest gratitude.”