$5-Million Anonymous Gift Will Transform Victoria University Libraries

^{Photo by Neil Gaikwad}

By Leslie Shepherd

A longtime donor who chose to remain anonymous has bequeathed an estimated $5 million to Victoria University, one of the largest donations in its history.

Her request was that her gift support the library she loved, possibly by funding an acquisition, adding to a special collection or another opportunity that might otherwise be out of reach.

“This donor exemplifies the power of planned giving,” said Louise Yearwood, executive director of Alumni Affairs & Advancement. She was a longtime friend of Victoria University who made a number of substantial gifts over her lifetime. Years ago, she quietly arranged a legacy gift in her will. Upon her death, an extraordinary gift far beyond what she gave during her lifetime is in the process of being realized for Victoria University.

“She was a quintessential legacy donor,” said Yearwood. “It’s a significant gift. She recognized that she could have a major impact on the library through a planned gift.”

Yearwood said the gift was particularly special “because it gives the library the ability to use it in the best possible way.”

Gifts like this one offer rare flexibility. The Victoria University Libraries can save the income generated from the bequest over several years, allowing it to accumulate and be used strategically, for example, to acquire rare materials or invest in special initiatives.

Chief Librarian Amy Furness welcomed the gift.

“The Vic U libraries continue to evolve to meet the needs of the students and the university community, so the specific needs for funding will change over time,” she said. “A gift like this is full of possibility for the future, whether that means having the capacity to purchase exceptional items for the special collections or developing our facilities for exhibiting and teaching from those materials.”

Legacy giving played a major role in Vic U’s fundraising success last year and cumulatively.

This bequest to the library was a significant factor in AA&A raising $14.3 million in the 2024-25 fiscal year, well over its target of $6.9 million. Planned giving accounts for a significant amount of all funds raised since such records were kept, and Yearwood said that speaks to the loyalty of Victoria University alumni.

“We have incredibly loyal alumni and we have a long history and pedigree,” said Sharon Gregory, Vic U’s associate director, gift planning. “You need all of these things to run a really successful gift planning program.”

If you are considering a legacy gift, please contact Sharon Gregory, Associate Director, Gift Planning, at 416-813-4050 or sharon.gregory@utoronto.ca.

Suggested wording for your will: I give and bequeath to the Board of Regents of Victoria University, Toronto, Ontario, the sum of $___________  or  _________% or  ________shares of my estate.

This article originally appeared in the 2025 Winter issue of Vic Visionaries.