Major Gift News
Geoffrey and Robyn Sperber
Gift:
Unspecified
Recipient:
University of Alberta
City:
Edmonton
Province:
Alberta
To help build a new life sciences library. The value of the donation was not disclosed but was described as historic and as one of the largest in the history of the University of Alberta Library.
NOV 2020
The Garron Family
Gift:
$15,000,000
Recipient:
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Foundation
City:
Toronto
Province:
Ontario
To support brain imaging research. Garron Family PET Imaging Suite.
NOV 2020
The Brownlee Family Foundation
Gift:
$10,000,000
Recipient:
Saskatoon Public Schools Foundation
City:
Saskatoon
Province:
Saskatchewan
To support the Early Learning Equal Start Campaign aimed at increasing opportunities for children in Saskatoon to obtain essential literacy skills by the end of Grade 3.
NOV 2020
The Sobey Family
Gift:
$10,000,000
Recipient:
Art Gallery of Nova Scotia
City:
Halifax
Province:
Nova Scotia
To help fund construction of the new Art Gallery of Nova Scotia on the Halifax waterfront. $7.5 million is from Rob Sobey and $2.5 million is from the Sobey Foundation. The gift was announced at the unveiling of the design plan for the Gallery.
NOV 2020
Green Shield Canada
Gift:
$6,150,000
Recipient:
University of Toronto
City:
Toronto
Province:
Ontario
To support dental and public health research and policy development in the Faculty of dentistry. The gift will fund the establishment of a five-year research program that will offer no-cost oral health care to individuals and their families who could not otherwise afford it. The gift will also fund a small dental clinic within the Faculty of Dentistry. This is the largest donation to dental public health in Canada’s history. It was made through GSC’s Green Door Project.
NOV 2020
Castlepoint Auto BLDG Inc.
Gift:
$5,700,000
Recipient:
The Museum of Contemporary Art Toronto
City:
Toronto
Province:
Ontario
For the Tomorrow of Contemporary Art campaign to support capital improvements at the Museum’s current location. The donations will retire a capital loan for the construction of the Museum. Castlepoint Auto BLDG Inc. is the Museum’s landlord.
NOV 2020
The Fondation Famille Michel Fournelle
Gift:
$5,000,000
Recipient:
Fondation Dr Julien
City:
Montreal
Province:
Quebec
To support direct child care and services offered at three community social pediatrics centres (CSPC) and to support the network’s expansion across Quebec.
NOV 2020
Laurie Rix
Gift:
$5,000,000
Recipient:
BC Cancer Foundation
City:
Vancouver
Province:
British Columbia
To support research into rare and hard to treat forms of breast cancer. Rix’s late husband, Neil Macrae, had male breast cancer along with two other forms of cancer. This gift launched the $20 million Break Down Women’s Cancers campaign.
NOV 2020
The Slaight Family Foundation
Gift:
$5,000,000
Recipient:
Corporation of Massey Hall and Roy Thompson Hall
City:
Toronto
Province:
Ontario
To support the ongoing renovation of Massey Hall. Massey Hall’s auditorium will be named in honor of The Slaight Family Foundation founder Allan Slaight. The Slaight Family Foundation kicked off the Massey Hall Revitalization in 2017 with an initial $5 million donation.
NOV 2020
Charles and Margaret Juravinski
Gift:
$3,000,000
Recipient:
Juravinski Research Institute
City:
Hamilton
Province:
Ontario
To fund three COVID-19 research projects and update health systems through the Juravinski Research Institute. The institute, established through the couple’s $100 million endowment fund in May 2019, is a partnership between Hamilton Health Sciences, McMaster University and St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton.
NOV 2020
Seaspan Victoria Shipyards and the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation
Gift:
$2,650,000
Recipient:
The Victoria Hospitals Foundation
City:
Victoria
Province:
British Columbia
To help build a high acuity unit boosting critical care capacity at Royal Jubilee Hospital.
NOV 2020
Anonymous
Gift:
$2,500,000
Recipient:
The Anglican Church of the Good Samaritan
City:
St. John's
Province:
Newfoundland and Labrador
To buy a new complex for the congregation. Multiple anonymous donors provided the funds.
NOV 2020
Don and Shirley Green Family Charitable Foundation
Gift:
$2,000,000
Recipient:
The Brockville District Hospital Foundation
City:
Brockville
Province:
Ontario
To support and enhance patient care. The patient care tower will be called the Donald B. Green Tower.
NOV 2020
JBS Foods Canada
Gift:
$2,000,000
Recipient:
Town of Brooks
City:
Brooks
Province:
Alberta
To help with COVID-19 response as part of the company’s Hometown Strong initiative, which has earmarked $50 million to support communities in the US and Canada where it has facilities.
NOV 2020
Lanny and Catherine Huff
Gift:
$2,000,000
Recipient:
Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation
City:
Belleville
Province:
Ontario
For the Back the Build campaign to build the new hospital. The lobby/atrium inside the main entrance to the new Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital will be named in honour of the couple.
NOV 2020
Magna
Gift:
$2,000,000
Recipient:
Sheridan College
City:
Oakville
Province:
Ontario
To help supply skilled trades labs with new equipment, create student scholarships, provide resources for training, and will support learning beyond the classroom through student participation at skills competitions. In honour of the gift, Sheridan College has re-named its suite of Skilled Trades programs as the Magna School for the Skilled Trades.
NOV 2020
Nancy McCain and Bill Morneau
Gift:
$2,000,000
Recipient:
Acadia University
City:
Wolfville
Province:
Nova Scotia
For the renewal of the University’s student centre and Centre for Student Success. Nancy McCain is chair of the Campaign for Acadia.
NOV 2020
Rob Steele
Gift:
$2,000,000
Recipient:
Saint Mary's University
City:
Halifax
Province:
Nova Scotia
To support the Sobey School of Business Master of Technology Entrepreneurship and Innovation program over 10 years. The gift will enable the program to double in size, create new resources for research in the area of entrepreneurship and provide scholarships and awards to student entrepreneurs. The Steele MTEI Scholarships; The Steele Entrepreneurship Awards; The Steele Professorship in Entrepreneurship in the Sobey School of Business.
NOV 2020
TD
Gift:
$1,005,500
Recipient:
Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation
City:
Toronto
Province:
Ontario
To fund research for treatment-on-the-go technologies to support children with autism and their families.
NOV 2020
Elizabeth Russell (Estate of)
Gift:
$1,000,000
Recipient:
King's University College
City:
London
Province:
Ontario
For improved accessibility for all patrons, enhanced technology and improved study space in the G. Emmett Cardinal Carter Library. Elizabeth Russell Achievement Centre. Elizabeth Russell is former Chief Librarian.
NOV 2020
The Edward and Suzanne Rogers Foundation
Gift:
$1,000,000
Recipient:
Ryerson University
City:
Toronto
Province:
Ontario
To support the pre-existing Suzanne Rogers Fashion Institute in the Faculty of Communication & Design. The gift is a renewal of a $1 million contribution made 5 years ago that created the Institute.
NOV 2020
Frode Strand-Nielsen
Gift:
$1,000,000
Recipient:
Simon Fraser University
City:
Burnaby
Province:
British Columbia
To establish endowments to support varsity female athletes and enhance the women’s soccer program. Strand-Nielsen is an alumnus of the Simon Fraser University. Strand-Nielsen previously established SFU’s first $1 million athletic scholarship endowment in support of men’s soccer.
NOV 2020
Gordie and Wendy Christoff
Gift:
$1,000,000
Recipient:
Delta Hospital and Community Health Foundation
City:
Delta
Province:
British Columbia
To support seniors care at Delta Hospital.
NOV 2020
Joyce Family Foundation
Gift:
$1,000,000
Recipient:
QEII Hospital
City:
Halifax
Province:
Nova Scotia
For the surgical robot program.
NOV 2020
Kasapi Construction
Gift:
$1,000,000
Recipient:
University of Victoria
City:
Victoria
Province:
British Columbia
The gift establishes an endowment to fund two new student scholarships. The Agamemnon Kasapi and Family Scholarship. The Kasapi family made the gift in memory of Kasapi Construction’s founder, Agamemnon A. Kasapi, with the proceeds from the sale of a parcel of land.
NOV 2020
Magna
Gift:
$1,000,000
Recipient:
Georgian College
City:
Barrie
Province:
Ontario
To help bridge the skills gap, drive change in the field of mechatronics, and prepare students for industry opportunities. The agreement will lead to the creation of a new facility and new scholarship opportunities for both future and current Georgian College students. Magna Mechatronics Lab.
NOV 2020
Mattamy Homes and The Biddington Group
Gift:
$1,000,000
Recipient:
Habitat for Humanity Greater Toronto Area
City:
Toronto
Province:
Ontario
To help build two-family sized housing units in Toronto.
NOV 2020
Windsor Plywood Foundation
Gift:
$1,000,000
Recipient:
Nanaimo and District Hospital Foundation
City:
Nanaimo
Province:
British Columbia
For a new intensive care unit at the Nanaimo Regional General Hospital.
NOV 2020
William McCarthy
Gift:
$750,000
Recipient:
Burnaby Hospital Foundation
City:
Burnaby
Province:
British Columbia
McCarthy and his family are matching donations to the hospital’s redevelopment campaign, up to $750,000.
NOV 2020
Finning Canada
Gift:
$500,000
Recipient:
College of New Caledonia
City:
Prince George
Province:
British Columbia
This is an in-kind gift of $500,000 worth of equipment towards the college’s heavy duty mechanics program. The newest building at the College of New Caledonia has been renamed in honour of Finning Canada.
NOV 2020
Glencore
Gift:
$500,000
Recipient:
Northern Cancer Foundation and Health Sciences North
City:
Sudbury
Province:
Ontario
To buy a second MRI for Health Sciences North and to upgrade the current MRI machine. The gift was made by Glencore’s Sudbury Integrated Nickel Operations.
NOV 2020
Paul and Coreen Evaskevich
Gift:
$500,000
Recipient:
Grande Prairie Regional College
City:
Grande Prairie
Province:
Alberta
To establish the Evaskevich Centre for Health Research and Innovation, which will be located in the College wing of the new Grande Prairie Regional Hospital. The Centre will be dedicated to research surrounding rural, northern, and Indigenous health benefitting new and existing health care programming. Evaskevich Centre for Health Research and Innovation.
NOV 2020
Robert and Judith Astley
Gift:
$375,000
Recipient:
Wilfrid Laurier University
City:
Waterloo
Province:
Ontario
For the Making Space for Music campaign to expand and renovate the Faculty of Music building on the Waterloo campus. The gift will help name a series of practice studios after Glen Carruthers who recently retired as dean of the Faculty of Music. Made as a matching gift. Carruthers Practice Studios. The Astleys will match donations up to $375,000.
NOV 2020
James King
Gift:
$350,000
Recipient:
Lambton College
City:
Sarnia
Province:
Ontario
To fund scholarships for students in the Personal Support Workers program. The gift was made in honour of James’ late wife, Catherine, in recognition of the care she received from Lambton Personal Support Worker graduates while at an area nursing home.
NOV 2020
Chemung Lake District Lions Club
Gift:
$250,000
Recipient:
Peterborough Regional Health Centre Foundation
City:
Peterborough
Province:
Ontario
For the cardiac cath lab project.
NOV 2020
Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively
Gift:
$250,000
Recipient:
Covenant House
City:
Toronto
Province:
Ontario
To support programs such as street outreach, the drop-in centre, the crisis program and a long-term transitional living program. The gift was announced with a $250,000 donation to Covenant House Vancouver.
NOV 2020
Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively
Gift:
$250,000
Recipient:
Covenant House
City:
Vancouver
Province:
British Columbia
To support programs such as street outreach, the drop-in centre, the crisis program and a long-term transitional living program. The gift was announced with a $250,000 donation to Covenant House Toronto.
NOV 2020
NTL Pipelines
Gift:
$245,000
Recipient:
Community Foundation of Northwest Alberta Eva Marie Fund
City:
Grande Prairie
Province:
Alberta
Proceeds from the sale of a pink pipelayer were donated to the Fund.
NOV 2020
TC Energy
Gift:
$150,000
Recipient:
College of New Caledonia
City:
Prince George
Province:
British Columbia
To support trades training. The gift will go towards a bursary program, purchasing and upgrading trades equipment, and towards a safety training week.
NOV 2020
Noelle's Gift Foundation
Gift:
$125,000
Recipient:
St. Clair Catholic and Lambton-Kent School Board
City:
Wallaceburg and Chatham
Province:
Ontario
To help purchase eyeglasses, clothing, food, medicine and medical equipment.
NOV 2020
Al Quesnel
Gift:
$100,000
Recipient:
Windsor Residence for Young Men
City:
Windsor
Province:
Ontario
NOV 2020
Bill and Dawn Mitchell
Gift:
$100,000
Recipient:
Burnaby Hospital Foundation
City:
Burnaby
Province:
British Columbia
To help redevelop the Burnaby Hospital.
NOV 2020
CN
Gift:
$100,000
Recipient:
Halton Learning Foundation
City:
Burlington
Province:
Ontario
For low income students in the Halton District School Board. The gift will ensure that more students can access immediate support for food, clothing and school supplies. CN has been a long-time supporter of students and schools through the Halton Learning Foundation with gifts totalling more than $800,000 since 2015.
NOV 2020
Darren and Joanne Gunn
Gift:
$100,000
Recipient:
Portage la Prairie Assisted Living Corporation
City:
Portage la Prairie
Province:
Manitoba
For the Dufferin Villa project which will provide affordable assisted housing suites for seniors.
NOV 2020
Dyck Insurance and Wawanesa Insurance
Gift:
$100,000
Recipient:
Wetaskiwin Health Foundation
City:
Wetaskiwin
Province:
Alberta
For the hospital’s Phase 2 Capital Campaign.
NOV 2020
Gosling Foundation
Gift:
$100,000
Recipient:
University of Guelph
City:
Guelph
Province:
Ontario
To support the renewal of the University of Guelph Arboretum’s Gosling Wildlife Gardens and to expand their infrastructure, plantings, signs and features.
NOV 2020
Munk and Rogers Families
Gift:
$100,000
Recipient:
Bahamas Ministry of Health
City:
Province:
International
This is an in-kind donation of 4 ventilators valued at $100,000 to help with COVID-19 response.
NOV 2020
Steve and Ladonne Davidson
Gift:
$100,000
Recipient:
Royal Inland Hospital Foundation
City:
Kamloops
Province:
British Columbia
To complete the waiting room on the seventh floor of the patient-care tower. Both of the Davidsons’ children were born at the hospital. The couple decided to make a donation in honour of their birthdays.