Stories about giving - Giving to ��Ƶ

Lauren follows her values with legacy gift

��Ƶ double grad Lauren Stamhuis, a parent who is under age 40, believes giving doesn’t have to be complex—and can start now, no matter your age or life stage.

A man wearing a black baseball hat that reads Simon Keith Foundation.

New Heart, Full Life

Former Vikes soccer player Simon Keith has thrived since receiving a life-saving heart transplant 40 years ago. He now leads a foundation aimed at giving others the same chance.

A woman wearing a flowery shirt and smiling while holding up several postcards that say Thank You For 22 Years of Contributions.

Donor Spotlight: Janine Hannis

Connection to ��Ƶ remains strong for Education grad and Ring Road Loyalty Circle donor.

Person standing on a shaded path surrounded by trees and greenery.

Gheana's pathway

Music and science may be an unusual mix, but ��Ƶ student Gheana Valencia loves both subjects so much she’s juggling two degrees at once. More than just financial support, donor-funded...

A male student with dark hair and glasses standing beside a female student with long blond hair outside in front of a building surrounded by trees..

Training clinical psychologists in Indigenous mental health and wellbeing

The donor-funded Chief Mungo Martin Research Chair in Indigenous Mental Health is drawing graduate students from afar to ��Ƶ. Students like Alix Printup and Jayden Bousfield chose ��Ƶ for...

Erika Germanos stands with three undergraduate students at a learning station about controlled burning at the Royal BC Museum.

Future educators learn to spark climate hope in classrooms

With a donor-funded grant, assistant professor Erika Germanos and students in her climate change education course put on a climate education exhibit, turning the Royal BC Museum into an interactive...

An adult family of four smiling while standing outside the University Club.

The Family that Gives Together

The inspiration for the Arscott family scholarship was generations in the making.

Four people standing side by side in an office space with white boards and a map in the background.

Level up: Developing video games to help unlock climate solutions

Donor support is helping the Virtual Lab for Environmental Planning turn digital simulations into tools for wildfire response, energy planning and environmental resilience.

Anya's pathway

First-year student Anya flourished at ��Ƶ thanks to an entrance scholarship that gave them the support and confidence to embrace new opportunities.

A person wearing a red hat and a person in a suit hold a beaver pelt hung on a large willow hoop between them

$10 million gift from Law Foundation of BC will transform legal landscape

This remarkable donation will support work to revitalize Secwépemc legal orders through a ��Ƶ initiative called Next Steps. It builds on the Foundation’s long-standing...

 Charlotte Davidson and Fawzan Hussain walk across campus.

Peer power: transforming the first-year student experience

Donor generosity unlocked the opportunity to launch First Year Interconnect, a peer mentorship program that helps new learners to thrive and upper-year students to develop as leaders.

Collage of Rubinoff scholarship students

Celebrating��the next generation of artists supported by the Jeffrey Rubinoff Foundation��

Last year, ��Ƶ longtime partnership with the Jeffrey Rubinoff foundation expanded even further with a new donation that supports the Jeffrey Rubinoff Nexus for Art as a Source of Knowledge in...

Partnering with Indigenous communities and organizations to inspire STEM futures

For more than 15 years, Science Venture has provided STEM learning opportunities right where kids live, learn and play—sparking curiosity, removing barriers and creating pathways to...

Students smiling outside the Giving Tuesday tent

Unlocking impact together

December 12, 2025

Education and impact disguised as fun, treats and games was the idea behind an enhanced Giving Tuesday event at ��Ƶ on December 2, 2025. A new location created more space for the giant...

Breaking barriers: a renewable scholarship supports Indigenous student's journey to ��Ƶ

The Joyce Foundation Award removed financial barriers for Indigenous student Dani Bilozaze-Lewis, supporting her dream of studying marine biology at the ��Ƶ.

Samit and Reshma standing together by an ocean view at sunset

A gift advancing mental health research and celebrating academic excellence

Through three new scholarships—including one in mental health and addiction—the Samit & Reshma Sharma Foundation is helping develop graduate students working in some of...

Roven's pathway

Financial strain left Roven on the brink of dropping out, but her determination never wavered. A donor-funded bursary kept her on track to achieving her educational goals.

A person sitting astride the Miracolt horse riding simulator opposite a tv screen, with a crowd of people in the background

Innovative riding simulator expands access to horseback therapy

With a gift from long-time supporters Murray and Lynda Farmer, a ��Ƶ-led innovation is expanding access to the joy and healing of horseback riding for people with disabilities.

Jayda smiling, holding her graduation certificate in her graduation gown.

Emergency bursary helps future teacher achieve dream of graduating debt free

An unexpected injury left Jayda Konnilla unable to work and uncertain about how she would afford her final year of tuition. But when she needed it most, a donor-supported emergency bursary allowed...

Jessica smiling with sunset-tinged mountain vista in background

Nurse practitioner grad champions better health

A donor-funded scholarship helped Jessica Newcombe complete the Master’s in Nurse Practitioner program and make a meaningful impact on her community.

Woman with long hair smiling and standing in an art gallery.

Research chair promotes reconciliation through art and advocacy

Donor support allows Smyth Chair in Arts and Engagement Dr. Andrea Walsh to undertake research, education and public exhibitions that uplift Indigenous art and artists.

A woman with braided hair and glasses handles an object wrapped in plastic in a science lab.

From deep-sea discoveries to chemistry lab innovations, ��Ƶ SERA scholars are leading the way

��Ƶ donor-funded Science Emerging Research Awards empower dynamic scholars like Moronke Harris and Ian Chagunda, enabling groundbreaking research, public engagement and mentorship opportunities.

Man wearing a windbreaker jacket and baseball hat standing on a boat floating on the ocean.

Harnessing ocean waves to power remote communities

A $1 million grant from TD Bank Group is advancing research at ��Ƶ on transforming wave power into electricity. The ambitious project led by the Mowachaht/Muchalaht First Nation (MMFN) and...

Man with glasses, moustache and buttoned up shirts holding hands with woman wearing a flower patterned dress and smiling.

Claire and Will Cupples

��Ƶ alumni and scientists Claire and Will Cupples pledged $2 million to support a new Life Sciences Innovation Fund.

Four people standing in a line facing camera in ��Ƶ law building

Supporting the next generation of lawyers

The ��Ƶ Law Class of ’94 celebrated their reunion by raising funds together for a meaningful student award.

Student Beth smiling at camera, hands resting on a wooden art structure outside arts building

Emergency funds in a crisis moment can rescue an educational journey

The timing of several significant financial costs threatened to derail Beth’s degree journey, but a donor-supported student emergency fund allowed her to continue the semester.

Nadiya in a business suit holding a document. On wall behind is a poster for Voices of Change.

Training interdisciplinary leaders to advance climate solutions

Thanks to support from the Wuitchik family, graduate student Nadiya Shore is gaining hands-on experience through ��Ƶ’s Coastal Climate Solutions Leaders program—where science,...

Woman with shoulder length hair and glasses smiling.

Living with intention and giving with purpose

MA grad Vivian Binnema believes it’s never too early to leave a legacy. Her planned gift to ��Ƶ reflects the values that guide her life today.

A rail line and burned remains of buildings in Lytton, BC in the foreground, with a river valley and mountains in the background.

Journalism in the age of climate disaster

As climate disasters intensify, the need for ethical, survivor-centered journalism has never been greater. Thanks to initiatives like the Climate Disaster Project, made possible by the Wayne...

Zoe on stage in the play The Wake wearing army fatigues standing next to an open coffin

Supporting the next generation of writers in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community

Thanks to the Candis Graham Writing Scholarship, an award created by the Lambda Foundation alongside friends and family of the renowned lesbian-feminist writer and teacher, ��Ƶ student Zoe...

A black and white photo of the ��Ƶ McPherson building

60 years of the McPherson Library

How donors have helped build and enrich ��Ƶ Libraries over its 60-year history.

Georgi Ignatov posing in front of a mountain with his wife and two children

Supporting the next generation

��Ƶ alumnus Georgi Ignatov, MBA ’00, who is originally from Bulgaria, built a successful supplement company. He is now helping other young entrepreneurs on their journey.

Person smiling looking at a ceramic pot on a pottery wheel

Celebrating the impact of eight years of partnership with Coast Capital

Since 2016, the Coast Capital Innovation Centre at ��Ƶ has supported more than 1,600 students and 300 ventures, contributing to the local economy, region, and even our planet. The Coast Capital...

One person standing holding climbing ropes and one person in a sit pulley in front of a climbing wall. There is an empty wheelchair close by them.

Reaching beyond boundaries

Donors are helping remove barriers to climbing at CARSA so that people of all abilities can experience the potential for personal growth and social benefits of this challenging activity.

A person wearing a suit and brightly coloured shoes posing by the ocean

Curiosity and compassion drives healthcare innovation

Dennis Natembeya’s desire to help his community led him to a career in nursing. At ��Ƶ, he developed innovative technology to fill gaps in healthcare—and found a way to impact...

Extract from the graphic biography. The drawing shows a person pushing a women in a wheelchair across a pedestrian crossing at ��Ƶ.

Wings on my Wheels

The graphic biography, Wings on my Wheels, memorializes the story of ��Ƶ donor Donna Pistell, who attained her dream of attending ��Ƶ to study anthropology while in her forties.

Wood shelves with cans of soup and beans on them. A sign reads can limits: 1 tuna, 1 pineapple, 1 mushroom, 1corn, 1 peach slices, 1 fruit cocktail

Tackling student hunger: Inside UVSS food bank

As demand from students increases, so does donor support.

Allyson Hadwin

Allyson Hadwin is a monthly donor to the UVSS food bank and a professor in the Faculty of Education. She is passionate about student success and ensuring they have the tools, resources, and support...

Don Ilich

Don Ilich, BFA’73, a proud alumnus of the ��Ƶ, has spent his life in service to others, with a particular focus on Indigenous communities. His career has taken him all...

Holiday office closure

December 12, 2022

Happy holidays! Our office will be closed from Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at noon and will re-open on Friday, January 2, 2026 at 8:30 am. Should you wish to make a donation for the 2025 tax year...

A man and young woman and small dog sitting on grass outside ��Ƶ Clearihue building

Supporting Ukrainian students

Family's donation gives much-needed boost to Ukrainian students at ��Ƶ.

Canada Post disruption

September 26, 2020

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) initiated a nationwide strike on September 25, 2025. This will impact postal delivery. This means the ��Ƶ will not receive...