National Philanthropy Day
Celebrating your support
November 15 is National Philanthropy Day. In a year unlike any other, we want to pay special tribute to the many ways you—our alumni, donors, volunteers and partners—support our campus community.
Your gifts touch every corner of the University and the Affiliated and Federated Institutions of Waterloo. Together, we will overcome the challenges we’re facing—and come back even stronger. Thank you!
Where you gave
Despite the hardships imposed by the pandemic, our donors supported a variety of activities, programs and achievements this year – like research, new building developments, and virtually every part of the student experience. Here are just some of the funds that you gave to so generously.
Waterloo Fund
Your gifts to the Waterloo Fund benefit every student. Unrestricted funds are pooled together, allowing Waterloo to provide more responsive, flexible approaches to current or time-sensitive priorities—including student support, improved facilities, and upgrades to library resources.
Student Wellness
Mental and physical wellness is more important than ever as students struggle with feelings of isolation and uncertainty. Your gifts are helping to create initiatives like virtual fitness classes, expanded counselling options and social media programs that foster connection and resiliency.
Experiential Education
With the loss of many co-op and part-time jobs due to the pandemic, our students face unprecedented financial strain and anxiety. With your support, we’re creating new ways to help them find meaningful work experiences that enrich their studies and alleviate their financial burden.
Library
For the first time in Waterloo’s history, most of our students are studying off-campus. Your gifts help the library expand its digital offerings, ensuring that our students—no matter where they are—have access to the information they need for research, learning and innovation.
Athletics
COVID-19 may have put varsity programs on hold but our student-athletes continue to train for the day when they can return to the field. Your support provides physical training, nutritional advice and other resources that will help them get back in the game.
Student Awards
Your gifts to scholarships and awards help our students to meet their educational expenses. At a time when they are dealing with so many unknowns, your support allows them to focus on their studies, instead of their finances.
Looking at samples of hundreds of species under a microscope
gives you an appreciation for the biodiversity that we have here in Canada.
Thank you for giving me that opportunity.
Ethan
Student Award Recipient 2020
Who you helped
Aileen
An award from a generous donor helped Aileen, an environmental engineering student, expand her knowledge of entrepreneurship and build a startup that connects black women with hairstylists worldwide.
Mitchell
With the support of scholarships, first-generation university student and PhD candidate Mitchell is using sediment cores as a ‘time machine’ to measure industry’s impact on lakes.
Setting the record straight
A gift to Waterloo’s Library gives students ‘a direct connection’ to the lives of WWII POWs. Read more.
Four brilliant researchers join Waterloo on fellowships
AMTD Scholars are the first recipients of a postdoctoral fellowship created by a Waterloo alumnus-led foundation. Read more.
A rare gift
Funding provided by staff and faculty helps a determined Environment student land his ideal job. Read more.
