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Fast Facts

Vision and Mission
University Motto
Structure and Governance
Board Members
Asset Management Model
Number of Endowment Funds
Value of the Endowment Fund
Endowment Gifts to the University

The University of Winnipeg Foundation was established by The University of Winnipeg Board of Regents, with approval in principle on January 28, 2002. The next step was attaining charitable status, achieved with the Canada Revenue Agency on October 2, 2002, when The University of Winnipeg Foundation was registered as a public foundation with charitable tax status, with a single focus on revenue development for the University and its Collegiate from private sources. The Foundation is separately incorporated and arms-length from the University, with its sole purpose to support the University and its Collegiate.

The University of Winnipeg Foundation commenced operations on April 1, 2003, holding its first Board meeting on June 17, 2003. April 1, 2023 marked the 20th anniversary of the Foundation.

UWinnipeg Foundation inaugural board

UWinnipeg Foundation inaugural board (2003)

Our Charitable Registration Number is 86517 1045 RR0001.

Vision and Mission

The vision of the Foundation is to establish legacies for sustainability of The University of Winnipeg and its Collegiate.

Its mission is to develop and manage long-term revenue development plans to meet the vision.

The strategic intent of the Foundation is to substantially increase the value of charitable gifts in support of the needs of The University of Winnipeg by delivering a comprehensive fundraising campaign and by being responsible and accountable for investment management and growth.

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University Motto 

Lux et Veritas Floreant - Let Light and Truth Flourish

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Structure and Governance

The University of Winnipeg Foundation is governed by the Members of its organization, who are also the Directors of the Board. The Foundation is governed according to its Articles of Incorporation under the Corporations Act and is operated on a not-for-profit basis. The Foundation is a registered charity under the Income Tax Act (Canada) and is designated as a Public Foundation.

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Board Members

The University of Winnipeg Foundation Board of Directors is comprised of 16 regular members and one Director Emeritus with lifetime membership on the Board. 

Seven members are appointed by the University. The members appointed by the University are its Chancellor, President, and Chair of the Board of Regents, with four members nominated by the Board of Regents. Nine members are selected by the Board of Directors of the Foundation.

The Directors attend four meetings per year in addition to serving on the Executive/Finance Committee and the Audit, Investment, Planned Giving, and Fund Development committees. 

The University of Winnipeg Foundation retains the investment counsel of MFS McLean Budden, one of Canada's leading investment management firms. The firm is guided by a Foundation-approved Investment Policy that prescribes a prudent, long-term development approach to endowment growth.

Members of the University of Winnipeg Foundation Investment Committee are: Mr. Darren Baccus, Mr. Daniel Bubis, Mr. Peter Simmie. 

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Asset Management Model

In 2016-17, the University of Winnipeg Foundation transitioned from a contributed capital endowment fund model to a unitized model. Each individual endowment account holds units that reflect the number of dollars contributed and the unit market value on the dates of contribution.

The Foundation’s investment policies call for a conservative and balanced approach, utilizing cash, fixed income, as well as Canadian and foreign equities to prescribed limits. Equities are not to exceed 70% of the portfolio. The Foundation’s investment policies are designed to provide consistent long-term growth while protecting the purchasing power of the Endowment Fund. The Foundation does not invest in speculative or
high-risk investments.

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Number of Endowment Funds

Number of funds at time of transfer – 356

Total in 2023 – 658

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Value of the Endowment Fund

Pre-foundation value of funds – $18.1 million (contributed capital)                         
At March 31, 2003 – $21 million (market value)

Current value of funds – $60.6 million (contributed capital)
On March 31, 2023 – $82.2 million (market value)

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Endowment Gifts to the University

Gifts are made to the University on an annual basis from the Endowment Fund Reserve. The Endowment Fund Reserve facilitates both the ability of the Foundation to invest in equities while protecting the contributed capital held by the Foundation against investment losses. Periodically, surplus funds in the Endowment Fund Reserve can provide a source of money to be capitalized on a pro-rata basis across all individual endowment funds.

Accumulative disbursements from endowment revenues:
April 1, 2004 – March 31, 2023 (19 years) – $24.7 million

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