Two people look at a machine. One is holding a switch in their hand.

Humber College is in the enviable position of having a strong network of supporters who frequently step forward with donations that help improve the College and the student experience.

This year was no different as several benefactors provided gifts and donations that will have a huge positive impact.

Here are some of the memorable gift donations to Humber in 2023.

Humber College receives largest gift to an Ontario college from the Barrett Family Foundation
The Barrett Family Foundation continued its longstanding support of Humber by bestowing the largest donation to an Ontario college with a $30 million gift. The gift will support several of the College’s priorities with most of the funding going towards student support through financial assistance and experiential learning opportunities. It will provide more than 100 annual scholarships. The gift will also be used to support a team of specialized individuals at the Barrett Centre for Technology Innovation who will ensure the vision of the foundation is captured in the everyday activities of the building while also fostering and expanding partnerships to bring the latest trends in technology and equipment to Humber that will provide students with a rich educational experience.

Humber helping to train the next generation of tradespeople with support of The Schulich Foundation
The Schulich Builders: Scholarships for Skilled Trades is Canada’s largest skilled trade scholarship program. Recognizing a decline in the number of skilled workers in Canada, particularly tradespeople, Schulich Builders Scholarships address the workers shortage by amplifying the importance and value of pursuing a career in the skilled trades through financial and leadership support. In total, 10 Ontario colleges were selected to participate in the program and that includes Humber. Each college will award 10 scholarships each year to students enrolled in a full-time skilled trades program and the scholarships will cover tuition, tools and living expenses for students.

DEWALT partners with Humber to support the next generation of skilled trades professionals
DEWALT is helping Humber College students in the skilled trades thanks to a partnership and $300,000 donation that will be used for scholarships, tools for students and additional meaningful supports. The gift will be used to establish the DEWALT Pathways to the Trades Scholarships. It will also be used to supplement the Centre for Skilled Trades and Technology’s collection of tools and will also go towards providing students who demonstrate need with tools they require for their profession once they graduate. The gift will also go towards product awards, student support and Centre initiatives. Also, DEWALT will provide brand ambassadors to appear at Humber events and support recruiting the next generation of skilled trades professionals.

RBC’s support for Humber College’s Indigenous community is growing
RBC Foundation renewed their commitment to Humber’s Indigenous Education and Engagement initiatives and gifted $200,000 to continue the RBC Peer-to-Peer and RBC Grad-Ready programs while also launching the Indigenous Pre-Orientation Week program and the RBC Indigenous Emergency Fund.  Indigenous Pre-Orientation Week orients new Indigenous students to Humber and build critical skills that will assist in their success while attending college. The RBC Indigenous Emergency Fund provides support to students who need immediate short-term financial relief because of emergency situations. The gift from RBC Foundation empowers Indigenous students, providing Indigenous-aligned resources and supports to help build a stronger and more inclusive future.

TELUS and TELUS Friendly Future Foundation providing bursaries to Humber College students
Humber College students gained access to new bursaries to help with the cost of their education with the TELUS Student Bursary. Humber has received $150,000 of the initial $2 million allocated that will allow the College to distribute bursaries to a minimum of 50 students. The bursaries are available to youth between the ages of 17 and 29 who are either enrolled or accepted into an undergraduate degree or diploma program at one of five post-secondary institutions across the country, including Humber. Recipients must also demonstrate commitment to community involvement and social innovation that’s driven to make the world a better place.

More information about Humber’s donors can be found by visiting the Advancement and Alumni webpage.