VIU Foundation

The $400,000 gift will fund student-driven solutions, emergency financial aid and food banks on two of VIU’s campuses.

An increasing number of students are being forced to choose between achieving their educational goals and basic living essentials due to the rising costs of living.

A new initiative funded through the generosity of Embark, an education savings and planning company, aims to address student hunger issues for Vancouver Island University (VIU) students. The $400,000 investment through the Embark Student Foundation Major Grant Program will fund:

Legacy donor Les Dickason shares his story

When the opportunity to help set up a teacher education program at VIU (then Malaspina College) presented itself, Les Dickason left his job with the school district to be part of it. After his retirement in 1997, he established a bursary through the VIU Foundation. The fund has grown and now supports two students going into their second year of the Education program. 

What can COP28 realistically achieve? 🌍

We had a soul-filling week at VIU. The VIU Foundation's Giving Tuesday campaign raised more than $350,000 for students in need and engaged with a record number of new donors. We celebrated by giving students cookies, smiles and heart balloons.

The campaign engaged with a record number of new donors.

­­Vancouver Island University (VIU) students will have more access to scholarships, awards and bursaries following the university’s annual Giving Tuesday campaign.

The campaign, which wrapped up on Tuesday, November 28, saw the community band together to support students, raising more than $350,000 for scholarships, bursaries, awards and special initiatives with 100% of proceeds raised directly supporting students. A record-breaking number of new donors engaged with the campaign for the first time.

University’s tenth annual campaign runs from November 14 to 28, 2023.

When Vancouver Island University (VIU) student Sarah McClelland faced some unexpected living expenses last fall, she thought she would have to put her education on hold.

The Bachelor of Education student went to the Financial Aid and Awards team to explore options. That’s when she learned about the VIU Access Fund, which provides just-in-time supports to students so they don’t have to pause their studies. For McClelland, it meant being able to pay her bills that month.

Challenge aims to inspire a network of community support for students – and participants can win a day at the spa.

Paying for university can be challenging. With record inflation driving up the cost of food, housing and transportation, the Vancouver Island University (VIU) Foundation recognizes that students are finding it harder than ever to make ends meet.

The giving spirit, global learning opportunities & holiday events 🎄

As we enter the winter season, the spirit of giving is strong at VIU, as you can see by our top story below. If you have any questions, please reach out to us. 

Campaign ran from November 15 to 29, 2022, with gifts from donors, VIU employees and alumni, and community.

Students at Vancouver Island University (VIU) will have fewer financial worries this season following a huge outpouring of support through the VIU Foundation’s Giving Tuesday campaign.

University’s ninth annual campaign runs from November 15 to 29, 2022.

Access to quality, nutritious food is vital to academic success, but with inflation eroding students’ spending power, it is getting harder for some to meet this basic need.