A generous new matching program will allow donors to make a bigger difference than ever before in the academic careers of master’s and PhD candidates at York University. The Graduate Support Matching Program (GSMP), established by the University, will match both the initial endowed gift and the annual distribution on the endowed funds, for gifts to York University Foundation of $50,000 or more. Ultimately, these matches provide four times the financial impact to students – a greater impact than any previous matching program.
Left: Scholarships and awards, such as those created through the Graduate Support Matching Program, can allow graduate students at York University to focus on their teaching and research goals
“The GSMP came not only as a complete surprise but a wonderful one,” says York biology Professor Emeritus Michael Boyer, who is currently helping establish a graduate scholarship in ecology. Boyer explains that those matching funds made his proposed scholarship much more financially viable then it otherwise would have been.
“I know from working with graduate students how important scholarships and awards are. In a discipline such as ecology they are vital for travel and other research expenses,” says Boyer.
“Graduate studies are at the centre of scholarly and research intensity at York, and there is no better way to mobilize knowledge than through our graduate students,” says York University President & Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri. “This program is an opportunity to make a significant contribution to the future of our graduate students.”
The GSMP exists only until 2011 or until available matching funds are fully expended. It is only one of the matching programs designed to multiply the impact of private gifts for student support. Donors can also take advantage of matches from the Ontario Trust for Student Support, Ontario Graduate Scholarship program and Ontario Graduate Scholarship in Science & Technology program. Additionally, many companies encourage philanthropic giving by their employees with corporate matching programs.
“Exceptional graduate students make a research-centred university truly successful; we couldn’t do it without them,” explains Doug Peers, dean of York’s Faculty of Graduate Studies. “Increasing scholarships and awards helps us to attract the very best students to York who want to benefit from York’s research excellence and commitment to enhancing the graduate experience.”
York’s award-winning teachers, renowned academic scholarship and high-quality programs allow students to study what they want with leaders in their field, which is why top scholars from across Canada and 83 other countries pursue graduate studies at York. York takes great pride in the quality and diversity of its programs, and is a world leader in interdisciplinary research. Along with Harvard, Yale and Princeton, York made it onto the 2007 list of the world’s top 50 universities for social sciences programs by the prestigious Times Higher Education magazine. York is building on these strengths and is dedicated to expanding its commitments to graduate teaching and research in the pure, applied and health sciences.
Transforming students’ lives by increasing scholarships and awards is a campaign priority for York to the Power of 50, a $200 million fundraising campaign that is already more than $150 million toward its goal. An important part of York to the Power of 50 is the Family Campaign, which relies upon the continuing generosity of faculty, staff and retirees to meet the $200-million goal.
For more information on the York to the Power of 50 campaign and matching programs, visit the York University Foundation Web site or call 416-650-8210.