Media Release | June 22, 2009
TD Bank Financial Group donates $1M to UBC in support of Aboriginal business education
The University of British Columbia received a $1 million donation from TD Bank Financial Group today to create an endowment that will provide a lasting legacy in business education for Aboriginal students.
The gift will improve access and support for Aboriginal learners pursuing a business education. Today’s donation is the largest gift received in support of Aboriginal education at UBC.
“We are grateful to TD Bank Financial Group for its strong support of Aboriginal students,” says UBC President Stephen J. Toope. “This generous donation will help UBC further its goal of creating learning environments and support mechanisms that reflect the specific needs of Aboriginal students.”
The gift will be divided equally between two programs:
- The TD Bank Aboriginal Student Award will establish an endowment to create financial awards for Aboriginal students across UBC Vancouver and UBC Okanagan who are enrolled in business education or majoring in economics.
- The Ch’nook Business Education Initiative will provide funding for Aboriginal students who are enrolled in the Ch’nook Scholars and Advanced Management programs. It will also provide mentorship opportunities for TD employees as a means of supporting these students in their pursuit of business education.
“With our annual endowment, we’ll be able to assist hundreds of students over the years by removing barriers to Aboriginal education,” says Raymond Chun, senior vice president TD Canada Trust. “We support UBC’s vision to help develop tomorrow’s Aboriginal business leaders and hope our contribution will inspire future generations to realize their hopes and dreams.”
The gift will help further the goals set out in UBC’s Aboriginal Strategic Plan. The plan has identified the university’s commitment to Aboriginal education, respect for Aboriginal knowledge and cultures, and a resolve to build upon the strengths of the university to more fully address the needs of Aboriginal and Indigenous communities.
Established by the UBC First Nations House of Learning and the Sauder School of Business, the Ch’nook Aboriginal Business Education program works with a circle of advocates and supporters to raise Aboriginal awareness and interest in post-secondary business education.
TD Community Giving: Making a Difference Together
Children’s health, literacy and education, and the environment are the three main areas of focus for TD’s community giving. Flagship programs within these areas include: TD Children’s Hospital Fund; TD Friends of the Environment Foundation; TD Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup; TD Canadian Children’s Book Week; TD Canada Trust Scholarships for Community Leadership; and the TD Summer Reading Club. With support from customers and employees, TD is involved with a host of national, regional and local causes benefiting diversity, arts and culture and other community programs. In 2008, TD donated $35 million to more than 2,100 organizations across Canada.
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