Philanthropy at UCalgary: How donors are changing lives

The University of Calgary’s donor community is thousands strong and its impact stretches across and beyond campus. 

In the past year alone, more than 5,700 supporters invested in our work and people, collectively raising an incredible $175 million to advance their passions through the university. 

These numbers are truly remarkable, but that’s not what drives us. 

It’s the impact: the number of students who can attend university thanks to scholarships and bursaries; the new jobs created through entrepreneurial ventures; and the lives saved thanks to research breakthroughs — all through UCalgary, all supported by donors. 

Revisit some of the stories that helped shape the past year in philanthropy at UCalgary, and take pride in being a part of a mighty community that is changing our world for the better.

Helping children with disabilities gain independence

The 2024 Hopewell M.I.N.D. Prize went to Dr. Adam Kirton, MSc’96, MD, and Dr. Alicia Hilderley, PhD, to advance their work in brain-computer interface solutions, with the aim of helping children with severe disabilities live fuller, happier, healthier lives.

Established through a $10-million gift from Sanders Lee in 2024, the prize supports cutting-edge research at the Cumming School of Medicine’s Hotchkiss Brain Institute. Each year, an international panel of experts awards up to $1 million to an innovative, high-impact research project.

“This injection of funding from the Hotchkiss Brain Institute and Sanders Lee is a critical support in driving this project forward. The M.I.N.D. Prize is a driving force behind pivotal research in translational care and treatment in this field.”

Dr. Adam Kirton, MSc’96, MD, Hopewell M.I.N.D. Prize recipient

Boosting Indigenous representation in engineering

Having personally benefited from the generosity of others, Schulich School of Engineering alum and Transoft Solutions co-founder Milton Carrasco, MEng’92, knows first-hand the impact assistance can have on those in need — and was eager to pay it forward once he had the means. 

The Schulich Indigenous Pathways Program turned out to be a perfect fit, inspiring a $125,000 donation from Transoft to support Indigenous students pursuing a Bachelor of Science in engineering degree —meeting a growing demand for Indigenous engineers.

“(Our) support of the Indigenous Pathways Program is extra-special to us, as we recognize the lack of representation of the Indigenous population in the field of engineering.”

Milton Carrasco, MEng’92, donor

Supporting first-generation students

For those who are the first in their families to attend university, navigating the complexities of post-secondary education can be daunting, making UCalgary’s First-Generation Students Program a lifeline, connecting students with mentors who guide them through academic and personal life challenges. 

The program, which benefits from philanthropic support, made such an impact on students Imandi Attanayake and Jenny Park that they returned as mentors in their second year, wanting to help others find their footing.

“It’s not just about academics. It’s about having someone who knows how stressful midterms are or how to bounce back from a bad grade. Joining this program, whether as a mentee or a mentor, is invaluable. It keeps you on track and gives you a sense of purpose.”

Jenny Park, First-Generation Students Program mentor 

Cheering on our Dinos

Giving Day 2025 was one of our most successful to date, with nearly 3,200 donors raising $2.5 million for initiatives across the university. In a friendly competition between faculties, Kinesiology took the top spot, bringing in the most dollars and donors — with Dinos alumni contributing to the win. 

Men’s Volleyball head coach Graham Vigrass, BSc’12, BSc’21, rallied past players to back the team, and they answered the call. More than $50,000 was raised for the program, which will help offset costs associated with staffing, travel to competitions and upgrades to training environment.

“I attribute much of my career success to what I learned and lived through as a Dino. For me, there’s a natural pull — if not a sense of obligation — to pay that gift forward by investing in the next generation, who I hope can benefit even a fraction as much as I did.”

Cory Paddock, BComm’03, MBA’18, Dinos alum and donor

Transforming the family justice system

A historic donation from the Alberta Law Foundation is bringing together UCalgary’s faculties of Social Work and Law to reduce trauma and build resilience for children, youth and families navigating the family justice system. 

The $26.8-million gift will fund two new research chairs and the new Centre for Transformation at UCalgary, creating opportunities for research collaborations with the social and family justice systems, post-secondary institutions, governments, foundations, community organizations, and professionals.

“This gift presents a generational opportunity to make change for those who historically have faced systemic barriers in achieving family justice.”

Dr. Ellen Perrault, BSW’93, MSW’95, PhD’09, dean of the Faculty of Social Work

Launching a new era of cancer research and care

Albertans owned cancer in a big way, raising nearly $300 million to build one of the world’s top cancer-care centres in Calgary. Last fall, the Arthur J.E. Child Comprehensive Cancer Centre opened its doors to patients and their families, health-care professionals, and researchers. 

The facility’s expanded research space — the equivalent of roughly two football fields in size — and cutting-edge equipment have attracted top talent from across Canada and around the world to advance discoveries that will revolutionize cancer diagnosis, treatment and care.

“Having researchers in the building with oncologists and radiologists is going to make a huge difference when it comes to boosting access to customized treatments for patients. I’m just so grateful for Calgary — Calgary is the place where we make the impossible happen.”

Heather Culbert, OWN.CANCER campaign co-chair