From the Nominator

Publicly launched in April 2016, Energize: The Campaign for Eyes High closed in June 2020 as the third-largest successful campaign in Canadian history, surpassing $1.4 billion in philanthropic support–$100+ million above the original target. With an audacious goal to begin with–especially for a 54-year-young university–Energize was faced with significant headwinds only months after the public launch: crash of oil leading to a painful economic downturn; deep government funding cuts; and, in the homestretch, a global pandemic and recession. 

Envisioned to support the institution’s vision to be Canada’s most entrepreneurial university in the country’s most enterprising city, Energize dramatically deepened/accelerated excellence in teaching and learning, transformative research, and community partnerships. The impact was immense: 

-- $95 million in scholarships and bursaries

-- 526 new or renovated teaching, learning, and research spaces

-- $520+ million toward the endowment, more than doubling the fund

-- $700+ million toward health research/education, with an historic $100-million gift naming the Cumming School of Medicine

-- $100+ million toward innovation and entrepreneurial thinking to harness research strength/talent, and create economic activity/ impact

-- A 19,000-acre working cattle ranch, the largest gift in land to a North American university, to transform animal-health education and research

Energize pushed UCalgary to raise the bar in fundraising and beyond. Best-in-class strategies in donor/alumni engagement/stewardship, marketing/communications, and events put in place to support this ambitious undertaking have been recognized across the industry, winning dozens of CASE awards since campaign launch, including the leadership award recognizing visionary President Elizabeth Cannon.