Foundation gifts
Supporting the next generation
Doggone Foundation raises its support of Faculty of Fine Arts to $3 million
Concordia’s world-leading Faculty of Fine Arts celebrated a new $540,000 gift from the Doggone Foundation on November 14, 2024.
The contribution in support of the Campaign for Concordia: Next-Gen Now will establish the Elspeth McConnell Critical Curatorial Laboratory, named in honour of the foundation’s late benefactor, a long-time art collector and cultural patron.
The Doggone Foundation’s dedication to Concordia spans more than a decade. The latest donation builds on previous contributions, including a $2-million commitment in 2021 to fund experiential learning opportunities for fine-arts students.
“We are honoured to have this new laboratory named in memory of Elspeth McConnell, whose passion for the arts and the development of young artists and scholars have left an enduring legacy,” said Susan Avon, BFA 88, MA 94, director of the Doggone Foundation.
Annie Gérin, dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts, detailed how the Elspeth McConnell Critical Curatorial Laboratory would become a vital hub for curatorial studies, providing the state-of-the-art space and resources necessary for students to explore new perspectives, techniques and technologies in curatorial work.
“The timing of this gift is particularly significant as we prepare to launch in fall 2025 a new graduate certificate program in curatorial studies and practices, which will further expand our academic offerings and enrich the learning environment for students.
“This program will be the very first of its kind in the province of Quebec, and as an art historian and curator myself, I’ve been hoping and working for decades for this to happen.”
From left: Concordia President Graham Carr; Cherry Marshall, associate vice-president, Development, University Advancement; Doggone Foundation representatives Paul Marchand and Susan Avon, Annie Gérin, dean, Faculty of Fine Arts
Highlights
A gift of $711,670 from the Ajram Family Foundation supported Concordia’s mission.
Fondation J. Armand Bombardier pledged $500,000 to support the Innovation Program at the Gina Cody School and empower student-led projects with commercial potential.
McCall MacBain Foundation donated $414,000 to support two initiatives at Concordia: $50,000 for Homeroom, an initiative that helps new undergraduates build social networks, access campus services and resources, and develop academic and career skills; and $364,000 for a cohort-based leadership-development program.
Embark Student Foundation donated $250,000 towards the Gina Cody School’s Innovation Fund.
Richard and Edith Strauss Foundation committed $150,000 to advance research on “Large Chromosomal Deletions in Cell Differentiation and Disease Manifestation” within the Faculty of Arts and Science.
Genium360, a non-profit organization that offers a network of services for engineers in Quebec, donated $150,000 to support undergraduates at the Gina Cody School.
Luigi Liberatore Foundation donated $125,000 as part of the $621,000 raised for university-wide initiatives at the 2024 Concordia Golf Classic.
A gift of $100,000 from the Naim S. Mahlab Foundation equally supported the Naim Mahlab Fellowships Endowment and the Canada Scholars Awards for out-of-province students.
Dr. Louis G. Johnson Foundation provided $75,000 to fund the purchase of an Andor Kymera spectrograph and camera to advance research capabilities within the Faculty of Arts and Science.
Burroughs Wellcome Fund donated $68,725 to support research that fell under the private foundation’s Career Awards at the Scientific Interface. Established in 1999, the initiative helps researchers transition into postdoctoral work in the biological sciences.
