What can you do with $1.41 billion?
As it turns out, a whole lot of incredible world-changing things. Positive, lasting transformation — fueled by your vision and involvement — is well underway on campus, in our community and beyond
The Energize campaign is defined by a fearless and visionary collective striving for excellence.
This historic initiative is committed to unleashing student potential; to advancing research, new knowledge and innovation; and to building a resilient city and world. Thanks to our exceptionally ambitious and devoted community, we are changing lives and shaping the future for generations to come.
Establish North America’s largest outdoor classroom
J.C. (Jack) Anderson and his daughter, Wynne Chisholm, BA’79, donated their family’s cattle ranch — approximately 19,000 acres west of Calgary — to the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (UCVM), creating W.A. Ranches at the University of Calgary. The gift is remarkable not only for its size — it’s the largest ranch donation in North America and the largest gift of acres to a Canadian university — but also in what it offers to UCVM students. As a working cattle ranch, W.A. Ranches allows for the study of cattle in a complex, real-farm environment, enabling research that can improve management practices for ranchers as well as academic programming that produces better veterinarians with more hands-on experience.
Champion public health and education
Robustly reimagined through a transformational gift from Gail and David O’Brien (both Hon. LLD’10), the O’Brien Institute for Public Health is a magnet for innovative minds across the health sciences spectrum. The Institute advocates for better solutions and models of care and generates crucial data to improve health and health care for everyone. To date, the O’Briens have donated more than $21 million to UCalgary health research and education initiatives.
Advance infectious disease research
A transformative gift from Joan Snyder, Hon. LLD’11, established the Calvin, Phoebe and Joan Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases in 2008. Her continued support of the Institute and its core facilities has brought international recognition and acclaim to UCalgary during the Energize campaign, attracting government and philanthropic dollars to open the Live Cell Imaging Resource Laboratory and the International Microbiome Centre. The infrastructure created through Joan’s generosity supports UCalgary’s efforts to combat COVID-19, and fuels scientists who are changing the lives of people suffering from infectious and chronic diseases.
What else can you do with $1.41 billion?
Cultivate a world-class student experience
Your support unleashes boundless potential in our students. Now more than ever, our campus is a place that ignites passion, curiosity, determination and ingenuity.
Improve mental health and wellness
On campus and in the community, UCalgary is invested in mental health and wellness, offering supports and resources to students and conducting research brain and mental health research that unlocks new discoveries and treatments.
Preserve culture, art and history
With your generous support, our campus and community are enriched by programs and collections that celebrate and preserve culture, art and history.
Become leaders in innovation
As a city of trailblazers, UCalgary has become a 21st-century innovation university where big ideas have room to grow and entrepreneurial leaders have space to thrive.
Make life-changing medical advancements
As one of Canada’s leading research universities, UCalgary is home to bold advances in research that are changing the health of our communities, here at home and around the world.
Prepare students for next-gen careers
We’re redefining how — and where — we teach and learn, creating spaces where students connect and collaborate, and where big ideas grow and leaders thrive.