The Université de Sherbrooke (UdeS) has marked a monumental achievement in Canadian higher education by surpassing its ambitious $250 million fundraising goal for the "Choisir de changer l'avenir" campaign two years ahead of schedule. Announced during a gala on April 30, 2026, this success reflects the profound trust and generosity of over 25,000 donors, including alumni, philanthropists, and community members. Launched in May 2023 with a target completion by 2028, the campaign mobilized resources to fuel more than 150 transformative projects addressing pressing societal challenges like climate resilience, technological innovation, health personalization, and fostering inclusive communities.
This milestone not only shatters the university's previous record of $115 million from the 2018 "D’avenirs et de passions" campaign but also positions UdeS as a leader in philanthropic engagement within Quebec and across Canada. Rector Jean-Pierre Perreault emphasized the significance, stating, "Atteindre notre objectif si rapidement est un accomplissement remarquable. Mais au-delà du montant, ce résultat reflète la confiance immense que notre communauté accorde à notre université et à sa mission." The funds are already catalyzing real-world change, from cutting-edge research chairs to student scholarships that propel future leaders.
Launch and Vision: Setting an Ambitious Course
The "Choisir de changer l'avenir" initiative emerged from a strategic vision to align university strengths with global imperatives. Unveiled amid economic optimism and growing recognition of philanthropy’s role in higher education, the campaign sought $250 million to bridge gaps in public funding, which in Quebec has faced constraints. UdeS, founded in 1954 and home to over 200,000 alumni, drew on its reputation for research excellence—ranking among Canada’s top 15 research universities for four consecutive years—to inspire contributions.
Four core pillars guided the effort: promoting living together and diversity, bolstering resilience against climate change, harnessing technology for human benefit, and advancing personalized health and social services. Early momentum was evident; by May 2025, $215 million had been raised, signaling donor enthusiasm. This rapid progress stemmed from targeted outreach, including the Cercle des 250—philanthropists committing $250,000 or more—and transparent reporting on fund deployment, ensuring donors witnessed tangible impacts.
Milestones Along the Way: Building Momentum
Key inflection points accelerated the campaign. In February 2025, winter scholarship competitions highlighted donor-supported excellence programs. By late May 2025, announcements of $215 million underscored halfway progress toward an even loftier stretch goal of $270 million. The April 2026 gala crystallized the triumph, with Perreault noting, "On veut que [les donateurs] comprennent que leur argent est en action pour avoir une société meilleure."
These milestones were fueled by diverse giving: major gifts funded chairs and labs, while smaller contributions from thousands built collective power. Compared to national peers, UdeS’s pace outpaces many; while Université de Montréal launched a $1 billion drive in 2025, UdeS’s focused approach yielded quicker results, demonstrating the efficacy of community-centric strategies in mid-sized institutions.
Donor Engagement: A Community-Driven Triumph
Over 25,000 individuals and organizations propelled this success, embodying a shift toward sustained philanthropy. The foundation’s model emphasized accountability—regular updates on project outcomes, student stories, and measurable societal returns. This fostered loyalty; many donors, including those in the Cercle des 250, viewed contributions as investments in legacy.
In Quebec’s context, where tuition freezes and budget austerity challenge universities, such campaigns fill critical voids. UdeS’s approach contrasts with broader Canadian trends, where philanthropy accounts for 10-15% of university revenues, yet few achieve such donor breadth. Alumni networks proved pivotal, leveraging the institution’s 70-year history to reconnect graduates with their roots.
Revolutionizing Research: Chairs and Laboratories at the Forefront
Forty percent of funds target research chairs, exemplifying donor impact. The Chaire CRMUS on behavioral dependencies—the first in Canada addressing cyberaddiction and gaming—tackles pandemic-exacerbated issues. Similarly, the 2024-launched Chaire on net-zero strategies and lifecycle analysis advances climate solutions, partnering industry and academia.
The Pôle d’expertises en cybersécurité Intact exemplifies research-to-practice translation, countering real threats through interdisciplinary teams. Upcoming Chaire in fetal and maternal medicine promises personalized care innovations. These initiatives, funded by UdeS Foundation efforts, position the university as a hub for applied innovation, with 40% of chair budgets supporting student salaries for hands-on involvement.
Empowering Students: Scholarships and Excellence Programs
Student success anchors the campaign. Bourses d’excellence Laurent et Claire B. Beaudoin offer up to $105,000 for doctoral pursuits, easing financial burdens and attracting top talent. These awards, part of broader excellence initiatives, have rewarded hundreds, enhancing retention and research output.
In a landscape where Canadian graduate debt averages $30,000, such support is transformative. Programs integrate donors via mentorship, creating networks that extend beyond graduation. Nearly $5.5 million pledged for Vert & Or athlete scholarships further blends athletics and academics, launching a men’s hockey program in fall 2026.
Infrastructure Innovations: Labs and Living Laboratories
High-tech greenhouses repurposed as living labs exemplify infrastructure upgrades, enabling biodiversity and agronomy research. The NeuroTechno Lab and Zone d’excellence numérique equip students with industry-demanded digital skills. The Réserve naturelle universitaire du Parc-du-Mont-Bellevue, inaugurated October 2024, safeguards ecosystems for education and conservation.
These facilities, detailed in recent coverage, bridge theory and application, drawing partnerships with sectors like cybersecurity and climate tech.
Societal Ripples: Diversity, Refugees, and Community Ties
Projects like Kazoza empower young refugees, fostering integration through education. Diversity initiatives promote inclusive campuses, while climate resilience efforts protect vulnerable populations. Sports expansions build community pride, with Vert & Or programs uniting alumni and locals.
UdeS’s model yields measurable outcomes: enhanced refugee support, biodiversity preservation, and dependency reduction strategies. In Canada, where higher ed contributes $80 billion annually to GDP, such targeted philanthropy amplifies public investments.
Lessons for Canadian Higher Education Philanthropy
UdeS’s triumph offers blueprints. Transparent impact reporting—sharing student progress and research breakthroughs—boosts donor retention. Focused themes resonate amid societal shifts, unlike broader campaigns. Quebec’s 250,000+ university alumni mirror national trends, yet UdeS’s 25,000 donors per capita outshines many.
Comparatively, McGill and Toronto campaigns exceed $1 billion historically, but UdeS proves scale isn’t prerequisite for outsized impact. Amid federal funding pressures, philanthropy’s rise—up 20% post-pandemic—signals a vital diversification.
Future Horizons: Stretch Goals and Lasting Legacy
With $250 million secured, UdeS eyes $270 million by October 2026 via a final push. Perreault urges continued giving: "Le cap des 250 M$ n’est pas une finalité." Long-term, sustained engagement via donor portals ensures enduring ties.
This campaign redefines UdeS’s trajectory, solidifying its role in Quebec’s innovation ecosystem. As Canadian universities navigate fiscal headwinds, Sherbrooke’s story inspires: collective vision yields exponential change.
Stakeholder Perspectives: Quotes and Reflections
Donors praise the engagement: visible transformations from labs to lives. Students credit scholarships for breakthroughs; researchers hail chair stability. Perreault envisions, "Tant qu’à être ambitieux... il faut battre le fer lorsqu’il est chaud." Alumni voices echo pride in fueling change.
Experts note UdeS’s donor-centric model as replicable, enhancing higher ed resilience nationwide.
