USask races past campaign goal to raise close to $571 million

“This campaign is already transforming our university, and its impact will be felt for generations to come,” said USask President Peter Stoicheff. “USask helps drive the economy of our province and our nation. Thanks to this highly successful campaign, our students will see expanded opportunities to make a difference in Saskatchewan and around the globe.” 

From individual donations to large corporate gifts from organizations such as Nutrien and Cameco, the Be What the World Needs campaign saw thousands of USask community members, alumni and supporters from around the globe come together to advance four major areas: critical research, Indigenous achievement, student success, and creation of visionary spaces for innovative research, teaching and learning. 

In total, more than 100,000 gifts were made to the decade-long campaign from more than  27,000 companies, foundations, and individuals. There were more than 30,000 gifts to enhance the student experience through scholarships, bursaries, and mental and physical health supports.  

Significantly, 23 new research chairs have been funded in vitally important areas as diverse as critical minerals, neurological surgery, Indigenous health, multiple sclerosis, and sustainable and digital agriculture. Over $90 million is invested in new and enhanced learning environments, state-of-the-art athletic facilities such as a renovated football clubhouse supported by USask’s largest donors Ron and Jane Graham, and new spaces to enhance student collaboration.   

Supporters from 44 countries around the globe supported the campaign. (For a detailed description of the Be What the World Needs campaign’s statistics, see the list below.)

A 2025 USask Rhodes Scholar—College of Law graduate Kennedy Marley—is thrilled to see the contributions from around the world to support student success at USask. 

“Seeing the  Be What the World Needs  campaign shine light on and pay particular attention to Indigenous students and their achievements shows me that the University of Saskatchewan takes the journey of reconciliation seriously," said Marley, who is Métis. 

Celebrated Huskies football team member Ryker Frank is abundantly familiar with what it means to cross into the end zone. A fourth-year student in the College of Engineering, he knows firsthand the impact gifts can have on students and athletics at USask. He points to the $750,000 donation that Rob and Nerissa Dutton gave to support both the Engineering Design Hub and the Huskie Clubhouse Expansion Project at Griffiths Stadium.

“Gifts like this inspire me to keep working hard both in academics and athletics. Often, it’s difficult to remain motivated through practices, exams, and when the weeks get busy,” he said. “It makes getting out of bed easier knowing that donors like Rob want to see us at our best, and we as student-athletes don't want to let them down.” 

Rob Dutton, a Huskies and engineering alumnus as well as an integral member of the Be What the World Needs campaign cabinet, says this campaign is a “chance to be part of a successful team, and it highlights the breadth to which the University of Saskatchewan has had impact around the world. And that’s why we chose to support it, to help build upon the university’s incredible legacy.”  

Close to 1,000 people attended the campaign wind-up celebration on June 18 at Merlis Belsher Place, a community facility which was made possible by more than 430 donors to USask including Merlis Belsher who in 2016, at the very beginning of the campaign, made a $12.25-million gift that changed the face of recreation in Saskatoon.  

“Although the campaign itself is wrapping up, USask’s efforts to Be What the World Needs continue to gain momentum,” said Cheryl Hamelin, vice-president of University Relations. “Together, we made history, and we can’t wait to see what else we can achieve together.This milestone would not have been possible without the incredible generosity of our thousands of donors. We extend our sincere gratitude to everyone who contributed to this remarkable campaign.” 

Be What the World Needs Campaign by the numbers 

The campaign has spanned 10 years. Most gifts are already either spent or earmarked for projects that both contribute to our mission and reflect the philanthropic goals of the donor. 

• Total dollars raised: $570,739,155 
• 101,000+ gifts made to the campaign  
• 27,000+ generous donors supported this campaign  
• More than 2,600 campus initiatives supported   
• 10,500+ supporters were inspired to make their first-ever gift to USask  
• One in nine alumni made a gift to the campaign  
• Supporters from 44 countries around the globe supported our mission  
• 23 research chairs were established 
• 950+ scholarships created to support Indigenous students  
• 14,000+ donations to support research that will aid in solving the world’s greatest challenges such as food security, infectious diseases, and rural health 
• 2,700+ gifts made to support students in crisis  
• 3,921 gifts to support mental health and emergency funding for students in need   
• 7,800+ gifts to support Huskie student-athletes  
• $90M+ invested into new and enhanced learning environments, state-of-the-art athletics facilities, and collaborative spaces 

Visit give.usask.ca to learn more about the impact of the Campaign for USask.