Explore giving stories

Donors like you are driving groundbreaking research, exceptional student experiences and positive change at UCalgary and in the community. Read on to see how philanthropy is helping us change lives.

UCeed company aims to change standard of care for chronic pain

Zymedyne Therapeutics, founded by scientists out of the world-renowned Hotchkiss Brain Institute, is on a course to create a class of non-opioid and non-addictive pain medications. It's a “unicorn” that pharmaceutical companies have been madly chasing for years, and has the potential to help millions around the world.

How to donate a cattle ranch — and what to do with it when you get it

Most gifts have some precedent, but this wasn’t most gifts. This was 19,000 acres, 1,000 head of cattle, and all the building and equipment that come with it. Five years in, W.A. Ranches at UCalgary is shaping the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine into a powerhouse of agricultural research and education.

A faculty turned community: Celebrating the Werklund School at 10

You could feel the sense of pride and excitement the day it was announced that the Faculty of Education would be renamed the Werklund School of Education. In the decade since, the school has thrived — and some students are still wearing their Werklund swag.

The largest university-based investment fund of its kind in Canada turns 3

UCeed launched in 2020 with a goal to expand the economy and accelerate innovation in Calgary and beyond. Three years later, the philanthropically driven, commercially minded pre-seed fund has done just that with a remarkable investment of $6.19 million in its portfolio of 44 companies.

Azrieli Accelerator professorship program brings on first recruit

Dr. Tamara Bodnar joined the Faculty of Science this year to investigate the impact of prenatal alcohol exposure on the gut-brain-immune system throughout life.

selfie of a man and woman on a mountain

Meet the donors

The Werklund School of Education and W.A. Ranches aren’t the only ones celebrating anniversaries this fall, many UCalgary donors have also hit important milestones — including one who has been giving for 50 years!

Read more


Lorne Miller, cancer patient and City of Calgary firefighter, speaks at the gift and naming announcement.

$50M gift powers Arthur J.E. Child Comprehensive Cancer Centre

A historic and transformational donation to Calgary’s new cancer centre will accelerate research innovations and provide world-leading cancer care and treatment to Calgarians, Albertans and Canadians.

Feature videos

Introducing the Azrieli Accelerator 

A $25-million gift from the Azrieli Foundation will transform neurodevelopment research that will change the lives of children, teens, and adults.

Mathison Hall: Open for Business

The stunning new addition to the Haskayne School of Business, includes new classrooms, group work spaces, study spaces, an event centre and student services for undergraduate and graduate students

Latest stories

New award supports the next big stars in concussion research

Accelerating Research in Concussion (ARC) Award, funded by philanthropy, supports up-and-coming researchers ready to make the next big discovery.

 

UCeed Energy to advance Canadian-led innovations

UCeed Energy is the latest example of the commitment that UCalgary, Innovate Calgary and other community partners have made to leverage research and innovation to help transform the energy landscape.

Game-changing scholarship launches 1st Haskayne grad into career

Richard and Lois Haskayne Legacy Scholarship attracts best and brightest students, including new grad Emily Chen, to study at UCalgary.

5-year Kennedy Scholarship awarded to Alberta students with powerful stories

As the recipients of the inaugural Kennedy Scholarship, Samuel Ergando and Tanisha Mattapalli bring an undeniable intelligence and drive to succeed to the University of Calgary.

New scholarship keeps business leader’s entrepreneurial spirit alive

A gift from Hunter Family Foundation pays tribute to longtime friend Jack Nodwell while encouraging entrepreneurial thinking in Schulich School of Engineering students.

The man — and family — behind the Jack Simpson Gymnasium

John Simpson’s transformative gift both honoured his father and elevated sport-science at UCalgary.

Subscribe to Spark

Just as a single spark can ignite a roaring flame, your generosity serves as the catalyst for monumental change here at UCalgary. Each quarter, we’ll bring you stories of the people you empower and impact you make possible — research breakthroughs, innovative technologies, new industries and more.

Thank you for your submission.