1. Increasing Access
Student Scholarships and Awards
100% of your donation towards student awards and bursaries goes directly into the hands of our students, ensuring the best and brightest minds - regardless of financial means - have an opportunity to pursue an education at VIU.
Student Emergency Bursaries
Student Emergency Bursaries support students who are in crisis. Student Emergency support can come in the form of Food vouchers to cheques.
International Student support
VIU is committed to welcoming a broader and more diverse population of learners. We know that university education transforms learners and their communities, and that access to university opens doors to a better future for all. We remain committed to deepening access and so seek to be home to a greater diversity of learners from our region, our country, and around the world.
International student support allows a VIU education to become more affordable and encourages international students to come to VIU. International students bring a diversity of thought that broadens students perspectives preparing them to become the next generation of leaders in an increasingly global market.
2. President’s Fund
Support for this fund allows us to meet short-term needs while building a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship and allowing us to offer exceptional and transformative educational experiences to our students.
3. REACH Awards Support - Research Excellence
VIU is committed to becoming the region’s hub for research and expertise. Our communities are active in solving the social, economic, and environmental challenges of our region, and VIU wants to be the partner of choice in supporting that crucial work. We seek to become the community’s first point of call for research and expertise to address the issues that matter most.
The VIU REACH Award provides VIU students with the much needed support to enable them to complete their independent research project under the mentorship of a VIU employee.
4. Milner Garden
A jewel in the crown of VIU, Milner Gardens is a microcosm of calm and tranquility, that provides unique learning opportunities in both art and science of horticulture. Your support will help us offer to regional schools a chance to be part of Shoots with Roots nature education program, which inspires children to understand and protect the natural world.
Starting November 15 to end of November 29 donors can potentially double their gift impact with matching funds:
Endowments
$50,000 available that can be matched 50 cents on the dollar, with no max amount on individual gifts.
Annual Scholarships, Awards, Bursaries
$12,600 (up to $5000 per individual scholarship award or bursary gift)
Alumni Made Gifts
$21,500 available for alumni made gifts (up to $5000 per initiative)
All other Initiatives
$25,000 of matching funds available (up to $5000 per initiative)
*Please note, that all matching funds are set up as a first come, first serve basis- so be sure to move fast!
International Challenge
Ever heard of the phrase “distance makes the heart grow fonder”?
This year, we are awarding an additional $1000 to the donor giving from furthest away (as the crow flies from VIU Nanaimo Campus) to their chosen cause. This is a fantastic opportunity to get your friends and family from afar involved in a cause that’s important to you.
Quick Trigger Finger
The very first person to donate (any donor: alumni, new donor, past donor) starting on November 29 at midnight can win an additional $1000 to their chosen cause.
Speedy Alumni Challenge
Want to show your alumni pride, but the matching funds have dried up? There’s another way to leave a huge impact to your donation!
First alumni to donate at 9 am on November 29 PST will be awarded an additional $1000 to their chosen campaign.
VIU Giving Tuesday Sendoff
The very last donor of Giving Tuesday on November 29 will be awarded $1000 to their chosen cause.
Please note, these prize winnings cannot be matched.
Frequently Asked Questions
Starting on November 15 you'll be able to make your gift online by credit card, or by mailing a cheque made out to:
VIU Foundation
900 Fifth Street
Nanaimo, BC
V9R 5S5
Please make a note in the memo about the fund you’re supporting. Gifts to multiple designations are accepted.
We understand you may not be available to give on Giving Tuesday, so starting on November 15 you can make your gift and your donation will be counted toward the campaign total.
Yes. Employees can contribute on a bi-weekly basis through a payroll deduction by completing the Payroll Deduction Form.
To make a gift by cheque, please make it out to the VIU Foundation, add a note in the memo stating Giving Tuesday and the program/area you are supporting and mail it to:
VIU Foundation
900 Fifth Street
Nanaimo, BC
V9R 5S5
No. There is no minimum donation amount.
Yes. Your gift is tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. For eligible gifts you will receive a charitable receipt for your tax purposes.
This year, recurring gifts will not be an option.
For more information, email Rowen.Warrilow@viu.ca or phone 250.740.6216.