Through charitable donations individual University of Manitoba faculty and staff members are making a difference in the areas they’re passionate about, supporting cutting-edge reseach, new building facilities and innovative programs.

Rejeanne Dupuis is one of those individuals. As an architect in physical plant, she is responsible for capital projects like the Taché Hall redevelopment and ART Lab. These projects will transform the Fort Garry campus and give new opportunities to artists, musicians and theatre practitioners to develop their skills and hone their craft.

“I believe in the value of the projects that I work on and the importance for continued growth of the university,” says Dupuis. “I work directly with faculties to ensure their needs are identified and understood by the project team.”

In addition to facilitating these projects, Dupuis has also given gifts to support the Taché redevelopment and the School of Art. “I choose these funds because I work with the faculty and staff who will eventually live in these buildings and I can see the great need that they have for improved teaching and research space,” she says. “There is a lot of appreciation for the support they receive.”

And for Dupuis, supporting the university is more than just business, it’s personal. “My family and I are all alumni and I hope that my daughter will become a U of M student one day.”

What advice does Dupuis have for other considering a charitable gift to the University of Manitoba?

“Choose a cause that has a special significance to you or a family member and contribute what you can. I think that it’s common to assume only large contributions will make a difference when every gift counts,” she says. “I have personally participated in project cost saving efforts where we carefully scrutinize seemingly small items. Those small items make a difference to the people that need them and they all add up.”