In the midst of an economic slowdown, 91ÑÇÉ«'s donors continue to stand by the University and its academic and research priorities.
For the fiscal year ending April 30, 91ÑÇÉ«'s generous supporters have committed more than $26 million, surpassing its fundraising goal and pushing the overall 91ÑÇÉ« to the Power of 50 campaign past the $185-million mark toward its $200-million goal.
"This generosity in tough economic conditions is really inspiring," said 91ÑÇÉ«’s President & Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri. "It's a testament to the depth of commitment to 91ÑÇÉ« and widespread belief in the very bright future of this institution. The success of 91ÑÇÉ« to the Power of 50 has really been a shared success of the entire 91ÑÇÉ« community and friends of the University."
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| Above: The William and Nona Heaslip Scholarships provide $15,000 awards to six students each year. Recently, Heaslip Scholars met with philanthropist Nona Macdonald Heaslip at a luncheon at Glendon Manor to discuss their work. Pictured from left: Sierra Frank, Nona Macdonald Heaslip, Monika Mielczarek, Agyakar Singh and 91ÑÇÉ« President & Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri |
91ÑÇÉ« to the Power of 50 was launched to support the University's academic and research priorities, collectively known as Transform50 (student scholarships, awards and bursaries); Innovate50 (pioneering programs and research); Create50 (infrastructure); and Empower50 (Chairs and professorships).
Paul Marcus, president & CEO of 91ÑÇÉ« Foundation, said two very important trends have driven the campaign's overall success thus far: “Participation remains high with 9,000 donors contributing in the past year. And we're seeing tremendous support in terms of very large donations with 42 pledges of $1 million or more since the start of the campaign.”
Left: In September 2008, 91ÑÇÉ« celebrated the opening of the 91ÑÇÉ« - TD Community Engagement Centre at 91ÑÇÉ«gate Mall. The centre was made possible by a $1-million gift from TD Bank Financial Group. From left: 91ÑÇÉ« President & Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri; Sue Levesque, director of the centre; and Bill Hatanaka, group head, wealth management and chairman and CEO, TD Waterhouse Canada Inc., TD Bank Financial Group.
Many different tales of generosity make up the full story behind the numbers of 91ÑÇÉ« to the Power of 50. 91ÑÇÉ«'s faculty, staff and retirees have stepped up to the plate, pushing the Family Campaign well past its goal of 2,009 donors by the year 2009. Cathy Yanosik, vice-president operations, 91ÑÇÉ« Foundation, said concern for students gave rise to a recent wave of support for the Family Campaign. “Members of the 91ÑÇÉ« Community are concerned about students because of the combined effects of the economy and the extended school year. We want to make sure students who may be struggling financially are able to continue their studies,” she says.
Right: The University was the beneficiary of this year's Red Rose Ball, honouring longtime 91ÑÇÉ« supporters Sandra Faire and Ivan Fecan, who is also a member of the 91ÑÇÉ« Foundation board of directors. The ball is an annual event of The St. George's Society of Toronto.
Many of those giving to the Family Campaign were responding to a special appeal by 91ÑÇÉ« to raise $5 million for the 50th Anniversary Awards & Bursaries program. It was launched earlier this year as a short-term measure to help students returning to University in upcoming semesters.
While the 50th Anniversary Awards & Bursaries Program is an immediate measure, allowing students to get help right away, 91ÑÇÉ« to the Power of 50 is already raising substantial funding for students. In fact, of the $185 million raised so far, nearly one-quarter is going to Transform50, the University's priority for student scholarships, awards and bursaries.
In addition to Transform50, other University priorities being supported through 91ÑÇÉ« to the Power of 50 are Create50 (infrastructure), Innovate50 (pioneering programs and research) and Empower50 (Chairs and professorships).
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| Above: The chart shows the proportion of gifts going to each area of 91ÑÇÉ« to the Power of 50 |
Some of the other important gifts celebrated over the course of the past year include $2.5 million from a friend of the University to create 500 entrance awards of $5,000 each over the next two years; $3 million from Jay and Barbara Hennick to create The Hennick Centre for Business & Law, a unique integration of business and legal education; and the naming of the Israel & Golda Koschitzky Centre for Jewish Studies.
Fundraising has also played an active role in helping 91ÑÇÉ« to celebrate its 50th birthday and to deliver landmark events such as the 50 + 50 Symposium that saw innovative thinkers such as Margaret Atwood and technology guru Nicholas Negroponte come to 91ÑÇÉ«. The birthday has also represented an opportunity to showcase 91ÑÇÉ«'s excellence through events such as 91ÑÇÉ« in Concert.
Left: Enjoying 91ÑÇÉ« in Concert. From left, 91ÑÇÉ« Foundation Board Chair Timothy Price, Janet Palmer and Bud Purves, president of the 91ÑÇÉ« Development Corporation
In addition, fundraising events have played an important part in the success of 91ÑÇÉ« to the Power of 50, raising 91ÑÇÉ«'s profile while providing our supporters with opportunities to have fun while supporting the University. Key events include the Fisher Fund Wine Tasting & Auction in support of activities at the Las Nubes rainforest in Costa Rica, The St. George's Society of Toronto's Red Rose Ball, and the Kenaidan-91ÑÇÉ« Chair's Cup Golf Tournament, which has raised more than $3 million for graduate student scholarships since 2001.