When UTM calls, “say yes”
In 1983, Dave Hallett, BA 1984 UTM, was a member of the Student Union that introduced the first student-funded bursaries at the University of Toronto Mississauga.
“We held a campaign and a referendum to ask the student body to help fund bursaries from their incidental fees,” he remembers.
But when the new initiative launched, Dave had already graduated.
“I knew I had to walk the talk,” he says. So, when the call came a short time later asking him to make a gift to his alma mater, it was an easy yes.
In fact, Dave has never said no.
The director of business strategy at Salesforce has been a committed supporter of the UTM Annual Fund since 1985 and a monthly donor since 2021. The UTM Annual Fund supports priority campus needs, including student bursaries and, more recently, Indigenous initiatives and equity and diversity programming.
“The thing about giving to UTM is the need never goes away,” Dave says. He gives regularly because “the predictable income allows the University to plan and respond to changing priorities.” As a UTM Annual Fund supporter, Dave also values the opportunity to pool his gifts with those from other alumni, multiplying his impact.
One of those donors is Adrienne Mapp, BSc 2002 UTM. The curriculum expansion projects lead in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine at U of T, Adrienne chose to become a monthly UTM donor this spring after realizing she was finally living her dream.
“I’ve always said that when I get to the point where I am doing what I love and have the means to contribute, I will,” she says.
Alongside her full-time work at U of T, Adrienne is studying to become a certified career development practitioner, a goal she’s been working toward for the last decade.
She chose to support UTM Abroad, the UTM Career Centre, the Equity and Diversity Award and the Black Research Network Trust to give today’s students hope and support them on their journey to personal and career success.
“I’m finally seeing the fruits of my labour, how all the hard work is paying off. UTM is where it all started for me, so it’s where I need to start my philanthropy,” Adrienne insists, adding that monthly giving via payroll deduction means she’s able to give easily and within her budget.
Both Adrienne and Dave have agreed to share their stories to help more UTM alumni understand that you don’t have to make big gifts to have a big impact.
“Monthly giving is how we can help UTM keep up with all the changes that are happening in the world,” says Dave. “If we can convince more alumni to say yes to that yearly phone call, just imagine what that steady income will mean for UTM.”
