In the past six years, York’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 York to the Power of 50 Campaign, celebrating York's 50th anniversary, now stands at more than $160 million toward its $200-million goal.
Nearly 11,000 supporters – York 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 York University 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 York’s 50th birthday in 2009.
Right: Celebrating the launch of the York to the Power of 50 Family Campaign with York's mascots are, from left, Paul Marcus, president & CEO, York University Foundation; Family Campaign co-chairs Professor Ronald Pearlman, Nancy Accinelli and Professor Ross Rudolph; and York President & Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri
“These outstanding numbers demonstrate the remarkable commitment of York’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 York University Foundation Board of Directors and a co-chair of the York 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 York University Foundation’s Board of Directors and co-chair of the York to the Power of 50 Campaign; Paul Marcus, president & CEO of York University Foundation; Aidan Flatley, CEO of Kenaidan Contracting Ltd, member of the York University 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 York President & Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri |
"As we prepare to celebrate our 50th anniversary, our reputation as a leading interdisciplinary University is growing," says York 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: York President & Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri and members of the 50 to the Power of 50 Group, comprising some of York's best-known and most accomplished alumni, celebrate at a March speed-mentoring event that also kicked off a year-long countdown to York'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 York 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 York University Foundation. "Our fundraising is on an excellent trajectory as we head into our anniversary year of 2009. Our supporters deserve our deepest gratitude.”