NEWS

Print this page | Subscribe

TTC fundraising nears campaign goal

The economic downturn may have slowed many industries, but the recession has not proved people to be any less generous or giving to SAIT initiatives.

Since launching into the “public phase” this past October, the Promising Futures Campaign has raised $50.8-million of the total $75-million goal for the SAIT Trades and Technology Complex (TTC) set to open in 2012.

Brian Bowman, director of SAIT Alumni and Development, said the $50-million mark was projected for June, so his department is pleased to be ahead of schedule.

“When you look at other institutions, many are facing cutbacks. We’re in a unique position with a huge amount of internal support.”

The TTC, the biggest expansion in SAIT history, is a $455-million project, and $300-million will come from the provincial government. At this time last year, only $27.4-million had been raised while the campaign remained in the “silent phase.”

Events in October, including a pep rally and the President’s Gala, were successful, Bowman said.

“These events were ways to engage with the community and to gain feedback,” he said. Bowman said close to 70 per cent of the dollars raised have come from individuals, many of whom are SAIT alumne aincluding Albi Homes Ltd. founder Tom Mauro.

Mauro, a strategic advisor for the campaign, is pleased with the progress of the campaign and isn’t surprised the $50-million mark was reached early.

“I think Calgary really knows how important education is, and it’s been reflective in the donations we’ve received from individuals so far.”

Mauro said he considers it an honor and “very exciting” to be involved with the campaign.

Ten residential homebuilders, including Mauro, each donated $1 million. The TTC will provide space for 8,100 new students to attend SAIT, Bowman said.

“This is about providing an opportunity to students that we haven’t been able to accommodate. Opening the doors to the student population really drives our donors to be as generous as they have been.”

Bowman said Alumni and Development will continue to fundraise until the day the doors of the TTC open.

This Week's Stories: