Giving to OAC
Donors are an essential part in advancing teaching, research, and the student experience in OAC.
A philanthropic donation helps its students and researchers in helping OAC achieve its mission to Improve Life by inspiring leaders, generating knowledge and creating innovative solutions for food, agriculture, communities and the environment.
There are many ways you can be part of our impact, including donating now to support OAC's highest priority needs.
Protect honey bees and our food systems:
Honey bees are an integral part of a healthy and sustainable food system. By supporting U of G's new Honey Bee Research Centre, you will help fund ground breaking research, teaching and community engagement and improve the health of honey bees. The new facility will become a destination for the community to learn about the importance of honey bees, including courses, tours and honey and hive products.
For more information, contact Shannon Fawns, Development Manager (OAC) fawnss@uoguelph.ca, 519-824-4120, Ext. 53627
Protect crop production:
The mission of the Honey Bee Research Centre is to help honey bees continue their vital work in pollination and improving agriculture and food systems. By supporting the new facility, you'll be helping us improve the lives of these important pollinators and their role in agriculture and food systems.
For more information, contact Shannon Fawns, Development Manager (OAC) fawnss@uoguelph.ca, 519-824-4120, Ext. 53627
Support our connection to nature.
The University of Guelph's Arboretum is the largest and most comprehensive nature sanctuary of its kind in Ontario. The Arboretum connects people with nature and enhance teaching, research, and outreach at the University. The Arboretum is integral to many undergraduate courses, and acts as a 'living laboratory', providing support, expertise, and a wide variety of plants, species, and environments for researchers at all levels. It offers dozens of workshops and public programs annually, and serve as a beautiful venue for special events.
For more information, contact Taline Artinian, Senior Advancement Manager (OAC) artinian@uoguelph.ca, 519-824-4120, Ext. 56842
Protect ecosystems and bio-diversity:
Support the U of G's new Honey Bee Research Centre and help our mission of improving the essential pollinators that are vital for our food system and our environment. The new HBRC will be located on Stone Road, east of the current HBRC location and west of Victoria Road. This new site location offers a number of advantages, including re-purposing space that is not currently being used (a former tree nursery that is adjacent to the Arboretum).
U of G's new Invasive Alien Species Institute will unite a critical mass of expertise from more than 35 faculty members at the University of Guelph with research interests spanning five departments/schools and three colleges. Current faculty study microbe, plant, and animal invaders, in managed and unmanaged aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.
For more information, contact Shannon Fawns, Development Manager (OAC) fawnss@uoguelph.ca, 519-824-4120, Ext. 53627
Conserve and protect our environment:
The University of Guelph's Arboretum is the largest and most comprehensive nature sanctuary of its kind in Ontario. We are seeking $300,000 over five years to create a part-time curator role to continue its conservation and preservation efforts. Additional expertise will ensure that the Arboretum and its collections are maintained; that a focus on environmental preservation continues; and to assist with raising the profile of this valued and beautiful University and community resource.
Improve outdoor aesthetics
Support OAC's School of Environmental Design and Rural Development and its highest funding priorities.
For more information on the Arboretum or the School of Environmental Design and Rural Development, contact Taline Artinian, Senior Advancement Manager (OAC) artinian@uoguelph.ca, 519-824-4120, Ext. 56842
Join your fellow alumni and support a class project
One of the most unique traditions of OAC alumni giving back to the college is through class projects.
In 2021, class projects raised $400,000 to support OAC students and infrastructure. These fundraising projects are spearheaded by a group of volunteers from a particular graduation year (or “class”). These volunteers select what priority they will fundraise toward, set a fundraising goal, timeframe and work with their classmates to meet the goal.
These projects have a significant impact on the students, programs, faculty and capital projects they support.
View current OAC class projects below:
- OAC '73 - $1M goal to support renovations in Johnston Hall, as well as 7 undergraduate and 3 graduate student scholarships
- OAC '83 - $30,000 goal to increase their endowed student scholarship
- OAC 1971/72 - $200,000 goal to support the Guelph Turfgrass Institute relocation.
- OAC '79 - $100,000 goal to support the new Honey Bee Research Centre.
For more information, contact Taline Artinian, Senior Advancement Manager (OAC) artinian@uoguelph.ca, 519-824-4120, Ext. 56842
Support Dean’s Highest Priority Fund
The OAC Dean’s Highest Priority Fund provides support for urgent and unexpected needs, including supporting students in times of need, or the seizing of opportunities in innovative areas. It provides the flexibility to be responsive to unforeseen needs and an ever-changing world. In short, the OAC Dean’s Highest Priority Fund supports people, priorities and emerging projects. A current example is the Fall 2019 renovation and expansion of the student study and group work space in Johnston Hall. Our students have been asking for upgrades to support their educational and social experience at OAC, and donations to the Dean's Highest Priority Fund enabled us to respond to our students’ needs.
Support Tomorrow's Leaders
OAC's Planning for Tomorrow initiative is evolving to prepare students with the skills needed to succeed and support the future of the agriculture and food sectors. With stakeholder support, OAC is pursuing a comprehensive strategy to: 1) increase OAC program enrollment by expanding the OAC Student Liaison Program; 2) strengthen industry connections and skills development in our students through a Careers and Employment Manager; and 3) broadly promote the opportunities available in agriculture and food through a large-scale marketing campaign.
OAC's Learning Trust provides a unique fund focused on supporting student engagement in hands-on learning experiences such as field trips, teaching labs, field study programs and international studies. These activities are often self-directed by the students and are always focused on enhancing the knowledge students have gained in the classroom. Some recent examples include the OAC Swine Club's trip to Iowa swine farms and facilities, the 8th Annual OAC Graduate Student Council Colloquium, and the University of Guelph’s Turf Club's attendance at the Collegiate Turf Bowl competition.
Have a question for us? View our Frequently Asked Questions
- Annual gifts directed to OAC. You will likely have received OAC’s annual appeal, a letter from your classmates to support your class project, or perhaps have heard from one of our student callers.
- Planned giving and bequests. The OAC Legacy Leaders program aims to help OAC alumni with their estate planning through a comprehensive package and help from planned-giving experts.
- Gifts of stocks, mutual funds, etc. directed to OAC, including the regional campuses.
- Give Online
You can also support OAC through class projects, annual gifts or donations to special projects, scholarships and bursaries.
Official donation receipts are issued for eligible donations to OAC (the University of Guelph) to claim charitable tax credits. There are additional tax benefits for donations through bequests or via traded securities, including stocks and mutual funds. OAC would like to acknowledge the tremendous support it receives from so many alumni from all campuses.
Also, you may find it helpful to determine the full tax credit value of your donation on the Canada Revenue website.
Student awards are a significant part of OAC’s support of student success. Over 430 OAC-specific awards, totaling $1.5 million, are given to OAC students annually, thanks to the generous support of alumni, donors and partners. Establishing an award is truly meaningful way to improve the lives of students.
Learn more about establishing a new student award or scholarship at OAC.
Don't see your question here?
Contact Morag Stewart, Director of Advancement (OAC), at 519-824-4120, Ext. 56236 or moragst@uoguelph.ca
About OAC
Established in 1874, the Ontario Agricultural College is one of seven colleges that make up the University of Guelph. OAC is a globally recognized leader in education and research in agriculture, food, environmental sciences, and community development. The OAC provides a wide range of academic programs at the diploma, undergraduate, graduate, and certificate levels.