One gift. Then another. Then a community of giving. Through philanthropy, UM turns potential into possibility.
UM is at the centre of inspiring the best and brightest to improve the well-being of our province, country and world. But all of this cannot be done without the support of our community. From people giving for the first time to lifelong supporters, every act of generosity strengthens UM’s ability to fuel bold ideas and shape a better world.
When students come to the University of Manitoba, they receive more than an education. They become a part of new ideas that better our world. A student’s potential is unleashed when they feel supported and can benefit from unique learning experiences and spaces.
At UM this year, $40 million in scholarships and $14 million in bursaries opened doors for students across every discipline. Behind every number is a story of ambition, resilience, and potential. From agriculture and food sciences students contributing to healthy communities to business students gaining international experience to graduate researchers tackling global challenges, philanthropy ensures that financial barriers never stand in the way of bold ideas.
As Manitoba’s only research-intensive university, UM has built a strong foundation of innovative facilities, world-class experts and a reputation for research excellence. Philanthropy is attracting top-level graduate students and community partnerships.
Innovation at UM is fueled by philanthropy. Donors have helped fund UM’s 32 active research chairs driving made-in-Manitoba solutions that are changing lives here and around the world. They also create unique ways for our university to delve into the questions of today and help ensure a brighter tomorrow from the Winograd Initiative for the Study of Contemporary Hate Speech and Antisemitism to improving workplace ethics to advancing treatments for diseases like multiple sclerosis.
As the proud home of the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR) for 10 years, UM continues to walk alongside Survivors and Indigenous communities on the path toward healing and education. This year, the province and the business community gave over $22 million to help the NCTR get closer to building their new home. The new space will continue to honour Survivors, protect their truths, and welcome people from across Canada. Significant support also came from the Mastercard Foundation with a $25 million gift that will strengthen the Centre’s ability to reach young people across Canada with reconciliation-focused education.
The Mastercard Foundation also gave $5 million help UM expand access to post-secondary education and support our growing community of 3,248 Indigenous students. This continued support is helping Indigenous students strengthen their identities, find meaningful careers, and become leaders in Manitoba and beyond.
When campus borders no longer define the limits of post-secondary education, the opportunities are endless. UM has a long history of prioritizing experiential learning like the dental clinic at the Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry that offers oral healthcare and advocacy to Manitobans in need or the community learning hubs that train specialists in and for Manitoba’s remote and northern areas.
With a transformative $5.4 million gift from Drs. Wayne [BSc(ME)/80, LLD/23] and Eleanor Chiu, UM will launch The Chiu Centre for Business Serving Community, a new hub for research and dialogue that will explore how business can be a force for positive societal impact. The Centre and initiatives like this at UM help create a skilled workforce, successful startups and solution-focused innovation, which injected $7.3 billion into Manitoba's economy last year.
For 150 years members of our herd – faculty, staff, retirees and alumni – have been at the centre of philanthropy at UM. Last year, faculty, staff and retirees gave $1.7 million to support UM students.
UM’s 25,896 alumni donors also provide tremendous support. UM alumni come together to fund bursaries in celebration of the milestone anniversary of their graduation, while others gather funds to remember classmates who have passed.
Since Alexander Kennedy Isbister’s first planned gift over 140 years ago, many have followed in his footsteps. Today, over 700 members of the Isbister Legacy Society continue that legacy, ensuring UM’s mission endures for generations to come.
"What inspires me most about philanthropy at the University of Manitoba is that it truly comes from everywhere—alumni, faculty, staff, community partners, and friends from around the world. Together, we’ve created a remarkable culture where supporting bold ideas and the next generation is a part of who we are."
What does a future fuelled by generosity look like? It’s in the faces of new graduates with big ideas, in bold research solutions for Manitoba and the world, and in community initiatives coming to life in collaborative ways. Here, a legacy of philanthropy is shaping the leaders, innovators and change-makers of tomorrow. Learn how you can get involved.
New tech fights bacteria
New funding for accessible tools announced earlier this year.
A new cutting edge in disease prevention.
