VIU's Foundation releases $150,000 to support new learning environments

To celebrate VIU’s 75th anniversary, the University's Foundation Board has approved the release of $150,000 in matching funds to support two of VIU’s newest facilities: the Deep Bay Marine Field Station and Shq'apthut, the Aboriginal Gathering Place.

The announcement was made at the Festival of Trees gala fundraiser last weekend.

“Our Foundation feels it’s important to enhance the generosity of donors with this matching opportunity,” said Bruce Williams, VIU’s Foundation Board chair. “We encourage others to join us in enabling our VIU students’ ability to study and learn.”

The Foundation Board will match every dollar given in support of either Deep Bay or the Aboriginal Gathering Place, up to $75,000 each.

Already the donations are coming in – at the Festival of Trees Gala, Garth Johnstone of Archie Johnstone Plumbing & Heating gave $7,500 in support of Deep Bay and Fred Jacklin, VIU’s Registrar donated $750 for the Aboriginal Gathering Place.

The VIU Foundation is a not-for-profit society incorporated under the Society Act of British Columbia in 1994. It’s a registered charity under the Income Tax Act of Canada and is guided by its bylaws and constitution to raise funds for VIU by fostering community connections. The Foundation is led by a 30-member Board of Directors and manages an endowment fund of $15.2 million (including two endowed chairs on behalf of VIU) as of September 30, 2011.

For information about the Deep Bay Marine Field Station visit www.viu.ca/deepbay


For information about Shq'apthut, the Aboriginal Gathering Place, visit www.viu.ca/gatheringplace