Building for the Next Generation of Student Athletes

McGill University has a tradition of innovation and participation in athletics and recreational sports that dates back more than a century. McGill was instrumental in the development of football, basketball and hockey and was one of the first universities to support athletics for women.

Today, over 70% of all McGill students take part in some form of athletic activity, despite having demanding course loads and being engaged in the pursuit of academic excellence.

Although our Sports Complex is now, in many respects, the best university sports activity centre in Canada, further funding is being sought to meet the ever-growing demands of our students, alumni, staff, and surrounding McGill community.

All donations to McGill Athletics and Recreation, no matter the size, are meaningful and cumulative, helping to enhance the success of our programs, teams, facilities, and most importantly, our student athletes.

Current Opportunities for Giving:

Team Support
“Friends” of our intercollegiate teams and clubs may choose to designate a gift to a specific team. These gifts enable the team or club to enhance the experience of our student-athletes in ways such as increased travel, additional equipment, more effective training and/or additional coaching.

Athletic Financial Awards
Athletic Financial Awards are entirely funded by private donations. They bolster our coaches’ abilities to recruit and retain top student-athletes and provide the opportunity for athletes to focus on their studies and their sport, without the responsibility of funding their entire education.

A gift of $3,000 per year pledged over four years will provide a direct-funded award, and can be named after the donor. Endowed awards are also highly valued since they can provide awards in perpetuity. The minimum amount of funding required to establish an endowed award is usually $60,000 and can be pledged over five years. The income from such an endowed award will then generate $3,000 per year in perpetuity.

Sports Complex Expansion
We are excited that McGill students have recently voted to continue contributing to the Athletics Facility Improvement Fee. This fee will see the students donating an additional $1.95 million over the next five years to our ongoing expansion. The students’ contribution is being matched by a gift of $1.95 million from the University. In the coming months, we will be asking our alumni and friends to consider matching the students’ generous donation.

To discuss your particular giving interests, a forthcoming gift, or your desire to establish a memorial gift or bequest, please contact Kathryn Weaver at 514-398-7000 or kathryn.weaver@mcgill.ca.