WINNIPEG – The University of Winnipeg has received a $5 million gift from the Mastercard Foundation to expand educational opportunities for Indigenous students, marking a significant investment in reconciliation-focused learning and research.
Announced September 9, the funding is part of a broader $235 million commitment by the Mastercard Foundation to 30 organizations across Canada. The initiative recognizes institutions with proven track records in supporting Indigenous youth, strong accountability to Indigenous communities, and innovative programming designed to align with Indigenous priorities.
National Commitment to Indigenous Education
Jennifer Brennan, Senior Director of Canada Programs at the Mastercard Foundation, said the decision to support the University of Winnipeg was grounded in the institution’s community-based approach and Indigenous-led guidance.
“With continual guidance from Indigenous students, Elders, faculty, and community members, the University of Winnipeg has taken bold action to advance Reconciliation in ways rooted in community-based education and cultural revitalization,” Brennan said. “We made a commitment to young Indigenous people that we would walk alongside them to transform post-secondary education in ways that support them to live a good life. This exemplary organization is contributing to that change and to a stronger country for us all.”
The Mastercard Foundation’s funding builds on its EleV Program, launched in 2017, which partners with more than 65 organizations to support 100,000 Indigenous youth across Canada in achieving post-secondary success and transitioning into meaningful employment by 2030. To date, the Foundation has committed more than $500 million toward this effort.
Strengthening Local Impact
The University of Winnipeg, where Indigenous students account for roughly 12 per cent of enrolment, is expected to leverage the investment to scale programming and expand support structures. Graduates from the institution already contribute across diverse sectors such as education, medicine, law, and biosciences, giving the university a unique role in advancing reconciliation through education.
“The University of Winnipeg is proud to partner in this exciting national initiative—one that will have a lasting impact on Indigenous youth across Canada,” said Dr. Todd Mondor, President and Vice-Chancellor. “This generous investment from the Mastercard Foundation will create new opportunities for UWinnipeg to strengthen its support of Indigenous students and advance Reconciliation through exceptional education and research. We are delighted to participate in this bold endeavour, which is sure to foster meaningful change.”
A Decade After the TRC
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) identified education as central to reconciliation, and this year marks a decade of sustained efforts to advance its Calls to Action. The Mastercard Foundation’s initiative aims to help institutions build on that progress by scaling programs that have demonstrated success.
“With gratitude, we thank the Mastercard Foundation for their generosity and this incredible opportunity,” said Dr. Chantal Fiola, Associate Vice-President, Indigenous Engagement. “Over the past ten years, the impact of the TRC’s legacy and nation-wide efforts to mobilize Reconciliation have positively changed the landscape of Canada. UWinnipeg has proudly participated in this work, but there is still much to be done. Mastercard’s transformative gift allows us to build on our longtime commitment to support Indigenous excellence—on our campus, in Winnipeg, and beyond.”
Building Long-Term Capacity
The investment is expected not only to expand existing programs but also to encourage collaboration among institutions, enabling them to share best practices and co-develop sustainable solutions.
“Recent UWinnipeg initiatives—such as last year’s special hire of eight Indigenous faculty members from a diversity of disciplines—are creating a more welcoming, opportunity-rich environment for Indigenous students and scholars,” said Dr. Pavlina Radia, Provost and Vice-President, Academic. “With Indigenous excellence continuing to be a key pillar of our new strategic plan, this investment from the Mastercard Foundation will go a long way to support this work going forward.”
The Mastercard Foundation has emphasized that the initiative is also designed to mobilize broader action. The organization hopes the investment will inspire governments, private sector partners, philanthropists, and civil society organizations to deepen their own commitments to reconciliation and Indigenous youth empowerment.
A Catalyst for Broader Action
For business and policy leaders, the announcement underscores the growing role of philanthropy in shaping education and workforce development for Indigenous communities. By supporting systemic change at the post-secondary level, the initiative is likely to have ripple effects across labour markets, innovation sectors, and community development.
As UWinnipeg prepares to roll out new programs and strengthen its supports, the $5 million gift positions the university as a central player in the national movement to reimagine education in alignment with reconciliation goals.
