McMaster University is launching its inaugural Day of Giving, the biggest one-day fundraising event in its history, on Wednesday May 11.

Inspired by the university’s ongoing commitment to inclusive excellence, Day of Giving is an ambitious university-wide fundraising campaign focused on supporting Black student excellence, Indigenous priorities and equity-deserving students at McMaster.

“McMaster is deeply committed to advancing the principles of inclusive excellence in all areas of the university,” says David Farrar, McMaster University President.

“It’s a key pillar of our strategic framework and reflects our collective belief that we can only be successful if everyone in our campus community has what they need to thrive.”

On May 11, as well as on days leading up to it, faculty, staff, students and members of the broader McMaster community are invited to make a gift in support of academic, research, leadership and mentorship programs, financial awards, mental health initiatives and more.                                                                       

Developed in partnership with the African and Caribbean Faculty Association of McMaster, the Black Student Success Centre, the Indigenous Education Council, Indigenous Student Services, and the Equity and Inclusion Office, McMaster’s Day of Giving builds on the exceptional work and programming already taking place across campus.

“Equity-deserving groups who have been historically underrepresented and underserved in education experience unique barriers to access and equal opportunity that call for unique programming and funding support,” says Arig al Shaibah, associate vice-president, Equity and Inclusion.

“Day of Giving is one such opportunity for the McMaster community to invest in the holistic wellness, flourishing, and success of students in all of their diversity.”

Gifts can be made before, on, or after Day of Giving and can be directed to several different funds, including the Black Student Excellence, Indigenous Priorities or Inclusive Excellence funds, as well as a number of priority funds identified by individual areas and Faculties across campus.

Gifts to any of the identified priority funds will be amplified and will help unlock matching dollars provided by anonymous donors.

To help mark Day of Giving, the McMaster community is also invited to take part in a series of virtual events in celebration of Inclusive Excellence.

Virtual Day of Giving events:

Building Inclusive Communities through Allyship – May 4, 2022
Speaker: Anne-Marie Pham, Executive Director, Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion
Learn more or register

Black & Boldly Belonging: Daring to Trust Your Compass – May 9, 2022
Speaker: Dr. Chika Stacy Oriuwa
Learn more or register

The Power of Inclusive Excellence – May 11, 2022
Panel discussion led by: Clare Warner, senior advisor, Equity Inclusion & Anti-Racism and Shylo Elmayan, director, Indigenous Student Services

Learn more or register