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Each and Every Gift Makes a Difference

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A Warm Welcome from St. Mike's Students in Brennan Hall

Advancement and Alumni Programs

St. Michael’s alumni and friends are a vitally important part of St. Michael’s past, present, and future. Your loyalty and generosity help St. Michael’s provide students with personal, academic, and spiritual tools to help them succeed on and beyond campus, graduating with compassion, courage and a deeper understanding of the world and themselves.

Donations to St. Michael’s Annual Fund meet immediate and ongoing needs by supporting scholarships and bursaries, teaching excellence in our undergraduate and graduate programs, learning and wellness services, and the maintenance and enhancement of our residences, library and classroom facilities.

Each and every gift makes a difference. Annual Fund gifts ranging from recurring gifts of $10 per month or one-time donations of $50, to five-year pledges of up to $25,000 add up to a million dollars per year.

All these gifts support the mission of St. Michael’s and advance the strategic vision of St. Mike’s 180. 

$1 million
More than 1,200 alumni, friends, and families donate a total of $1 million to St. Michael’s Annual Fund each year

100%
of gifts designated to St. Michael’s reach their designated purpose

89%
of all donors to St. Michael’s are alumni

71%
of St. Michael’s donors renew their support

Transformational Investments in Teaching Excellence

The Comper Professorship in Mediaeval Studies, Sutton Family Chair in Science, Christianity and Cultures, William J. Bennett Family Professorship in Christianity and Culture, Basilan Fathers of USMC Early Latin Theology Professorship, and Faculty of Theology Diploma in Interfaith Dialogue have been established through the incredible generosity of St. Michael’s Alumni and Friends.

A Warm Welcome from St. Mike's Students in Brennan Hall
A Warm Welcome from St. Mike’s Students in Brennan Hall

The Tony J. Desanti Lobby in the renovated Brennan Hall is named in Tony’s memory, and in grateful acknowledgement of his wife Mary Ponikvar-Desanti’s generous gift, made in honour of Tony’s enduring gratitude to St. Michael’s.
The Tony J. Desanti Lobby in the renovated Brennan Hall is named in Tony’s memory, and in grateful acknowledgement of his wife Mary Ponikvar-Desanti’s generous gift, made in honour of Tony’s enduring
gratitude to St. Michael’s.

Major Gifts and Pledges

Major Gifts and Pledges of $25,000 and more are directed to projects and programs that advance strategic priorities. In recent years, gifts and pledges at this level have endowed teaching positions, launched a new diploma program, established named scholarships and bursaries and helped fund the renovation of student residences and meeting spaces.

Bequests in wills and other planned gifts have also played a vital role in our ability to develop programs, facilities and services to meet the needs of today’s and tomorrow’s students. Bequests received in recent years have endowed the Head Librarian position, funded the creation of the Conservation Studio in the John M. Kelly Library and established a $500,000 endowment designated to student aid.

To learn more about getting involved
please email smc.alumniaffairs@utoronto.ca

Students’ enthusiasm is infectious. Their curiosity and questions – ‘what is it like in the real world?’ – are always welcomed. For me, they are an opportunity for personal reflection. This was certainly the case in February when I was invited to participate in a virtual meeting with future grads as part of St. Mike’s Mentorship Series.

Nick Pantaleo, Class of 1980, retired executive of Rogers Communications Inc.,
former partner at PriceWaterhouseCoopers and participant in the student mentorship workshops
Andrew Krupowicz, Class of 2004, (bottom centre) met with students at the Alumni Workshop on March 2, which focused on entrepreneurship.
Andrew Krupowicz, Class of 2004, (bottom centre) met with students at the Alumni Workshop on March 2, which focused on entrepreneurship.

Alumni Leadership

St. Michael’s is blessed to be supported by a dedicated community of Alumni and Friends who volunteer their time, talent and expertise as Advisors, Advocates, Organizers, Coordinators, Hosts and Sponsors.

Class Representatives facilitate communication with and among classmates, help to plan and promote events and engage their peers in their alma mater. Contributing writers to St. Michael’s Magazine and the InsightOut blog share memories, perspectives and wisdom. Mentors share insights, career advice and encouragement with students through workshops, panels and roundtables.

The annual Golf Classic, co-chaired in recent years by David Scandiffio, Barry McInerney and James McGovern brings alumni together to raise funds for student-focused initiatives.

Alumni Service

Alumni serve on Governing Bodies and Committees

  • Collegium and its committees (Finance, Investment, Governance)
  • Senate
  • Governing Council of the University of Toronto
  • St. Mike’s Alumni Association Board
  • Young Alumni Committee
  • Friends of the
    John M. Kelly Library
  • Friends’ Annual Book Sale Committee
  • Alumni and Friends Twilight Retreat Planning Committee
  • St. Mike’s Golf Classic Committee

Get Involved

All St. Michael’s volunteer leaders are deeply appreciated and new volunteers are warmly welcomed.

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