Ivey’s EMBA Class of 2012 is bringing the school’s mission statement to life by raising $100,000 to support a Habitat for Humanity home for a Toronto-based single mother of four.
The class was inspired to raise money for charity when Ivey Associate Professor Murray Bryant told them Ivey’s mission statement includes a philanthropic component in developing, “business leaders who think globally, act strategically and contribute to the societies in which they operate.” Knowing Habitat for Humanity Toronto CEO Neil Hetherington is in the 2013 EMBA class, the non-profit organization Habitat for Humanity seemed an ideal fit. Ivey EMBA student Patrick Morrison pitched the cause because of the hands-on nature of the effort.
“I wanted us to be part of something that we can touch and feel and be part of for the rest of our lives,” he said. “Now every time we drive by the site of the home, we’ll be reminded that we helped build something.”
An initial fundraising goal of $50,000 was soon increased to $100,000, or an average of $2,000 for each of the 56 class members.
In addition to securing sponsorships, the class participated in two build days where they worked to construct the home – raising $10,000 and $8,500 each – as well as a fundraising golf tournament, silent auction, Buffalo Bills football game outing, Lake Ontario cruise, Christmas dinner, bake sales and 50/50 draws.
People also donated gently used furniture and household items to Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore and solicited corporate donations or gifts in kind, such as paint and lighting.
“We raised money in a lot of creative ways and our class had a special bond because of it. It was a good way to get everyone engaged in something meaningful,” said Morrison. “It’s a worthy cause and I’m confident we’re going to reach our goal.”
Morrison said the class was particularly motivated when they met Duniya Mohamoud, the selected home recipient, and received help with painting from a blind man who lives next door to the Habitat home site on Acme Crescent near the intersection of Kipling Avenue and Dixon Road.
“There was a lot of giving and a lot of sharing of time and energy. It was really inspirational,” said Morrison.
The group’s efforts even inspired another Ivey class, the J.D. Irving EMBA class of 2012, to do its own fundraiser for a Habitat for Humanity chapter in Eastern Canada, as well as donating money to the Toronto build. An Ivey MBA class also donated $720 from a charity night in London.
For more information or to donate, please visit Habitat Toronto Hero Challenge or see the video on Global .
Photo below: Members of Ivey’s EMBA 2012 class at the build site
As one of the members of the first EMBA class of 93 I am pleased to see the focus on the role of philanthropy in the program. As the only non profit member of the class of 93 the lack of focus on this area of responsibility for corporate leaders was a missing component in the program. In order to develop corporate leaders, their role in corporate social responsibility and philanthropy needs to be fully integrated into the program. There are great examples of senior executives who fulfill this role. Ed Clark, CEO at TD, is an outstanding leader in the area of corporate social responsibility and philanthropy. He has played important roles with Neil at Habitat for Humanity and myself at WoodGreen. I commend you for adding that dimension to the program. Brian Smith
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