VIU Annual Program
Annual support for students based on their academic excellence (scholarships) or financial need (bursaries) can be made on three levels:
Donor-named Scholarships and Bursaries (e.g. The Mary J. Smith Memorial Award)
The minimum gift to create a named scholarship or bursary is $1,000 annually over three years. A pledge can be renewed after three years.
The donor determines the criteria as follows:
- assign to a VIU program (e.g. business, arts, music)
- create a bursary fund (financial need)
- create a scholarship (academic excellence)
VIU may match up to $1,000 if matching funds are available. The donor becomes a member and receives benefits of the Dean's Circle.
See the 
Donor Agreement form. For more information, please contact Susie Caswell, Development & Alumni Office, Major Gifts & Legacies at susie.caswell@viu.ca or at 250.740.6216.
Bursary or Scholarship Fund (unnamed award)
VIU Bursary or Scholarship Fund is a pooled fund that supports students based on academic excellence or financial need. The minimum gift for a donor to be named a fund supporter is $500 annually for three years. The donor chooses which fund to support:
- assign to a VIU Scholarship Fund (for academic excellence)
- assign to a VIU Bursary Fund (for financial need)
The donor becomes a member and receives benefits of the Scholar's Circle.
See the
Adopt a Student Fund (unnamed award)
The Adopt a Student Fund allows donors to support students with a gift of any size, which can be applied to the general fund. Gifts are dispersed annually where they are most urgently needed. Only gifts over $20 will receive a tax receipt. See the
For more information, please contact Susie Caswell, Development & Alumni Office, Major Gifts & Legacies at susie.caswell@viu.ca or at 250.740.6216.
VIU Realty Program
100% of your gift supports students.
Those purchasing or selling a home may contribute to VIU's student support programs through a unique real estate project. Local realtors involved in the project donate 25% of their net commission on purchases and sales of property to, or referred by, VIU staff, students, faculty or alumni. These contributions are used for student awards, scholarships and bursaries. If you are interested please contact Susie Caswell, Development & Alumni Office, Major Gifts & Legacies at susie.caswell@viu.ca or at 250.740.6216.
VIU Annual Fund fiscal 2008 - 2009
- Total revenue (includes gifts, Festival of Trees and gaming revenues): $1,888,253
- Scholarships, Awards & Bursaries granted: $522,855
- Number of awards from annual fund disbursed: 512
- Number of endowments disbursed: 356
- Total number of disbursements: 868