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Igniters | Next Generation Philanthropy

The next generation of philanthropists are here with the Igniters

Igniters brings together the next generation of passionate philanthropists and change makers—individuals with a desire to connect, learn and lead—and puts the power of health transformation into your hands.

As an Igniter, you don’t just donate—you decide. You will play a key role in advising how contributions are allocated and help fund projects that are unique, innovative and have the potential to transform patient care.

Want to learn more? Get in touch with us!

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An exclusive experience for next gen philanthropists

You want to see a change. You want to make a difference. By joining the Igniters, you can be a catalyst and help the University Hospital Foundation ignite true change. With your support, we can advance clinical trials in Alzheimer’s and diabetes research, fund ground-breaking advancements and push forward critical innovations. With your annual membership a charitable tax will be issued.  

Artificial Intelligence and Sustainability: The Future of Health

Each year, there will be a theme that all projects presented to Igniters will address a need related to. In 2025, Igniters will focus on healthcare solutions that use Artificial Intelligence to improve patient outcomes or reduce the health system’s carbon footprint.

$217 M

Over the past 10 years, the Foundation has raised $217 million, injecting true transformation into our health ecosystem. 

$14.6 M

In 2023-24, the Foundation distributed $14.6 million, including $6.4 M for clinical care, and $8.2M for health research.  

71,102

With over 71,102 outpatient visits each year, the Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute is a central hub for cardiac care across Western Canada. 

2.6 M

The University of Alberta Hospital is Northern Alberta’s only Level One Trauma Centre (with a catchment of over 2.6 million people). 

119,308 

In 2022-23, the University of Alberta Hospital handled 119,308 emergency department visits (53,629 pediatric and 65,679 adult). 

What will I get out of the Igniters?

The Igniters is a group of like-minded individuals with a shared desire to connect, learn and lead. As a group, you will hear pitches from different areas of need and decide where to channel your focus. You’re not just a donor—you’re a decider. You will play a role in determining how contributions are allocated, helping the Foundation fund projects that are unique, innovative and transformational.

You’ll have the opportunity to network with other philanthropists, tour key sites at the University of Alberta Hospital, learn from health experts and have a real say in the difference your dollars make.

What can I expect as an Igniter?

Igniters will come together for multiple inspirational experiences:

  • Kickoff Experience: Our annual kickoff event will introduce new and potential Igniters to the community and launch the years activities
  • Tour of University Hospital: One in-hospital, behind-the-scenes event per year will take Igniters into the critical areas of potential funding where you can learn from doctors and get a feel for the impact of your donations
  • Igniters Social Event: Our social event will allow Igniters to mix and mingle with program peers, as well as key actors in the healthcare environment
  • Annual Voting Experience: Our signature event is a pitch meeting in which representatives from different areas of care at the University Hospital will pitch their need for funding, and the Igniters will cast your votes to determine where this year’s donations will be directed. In this way, our Igniters have a deciding voice in the impact of their donations.

Testimonials From Igniters

Joining Igniters felt natural as a nursing student because I see the challenges and the power of innovation to address them. Supporting healthcare innovation means creating hope and solutions for those who rely on us to make a difference when it matters most.
Jules Tkachuk
We have chosen to take our time and resources to advocate and support initiatives that could have a tremendous impact on how future healthcare needs are addressed. Igniters will allow us to work as a group and make an educated impact on our health care infrastructure.
Daniel and Aliya Charbonneau
Alberta is one of the leaders in healthcare, and I feel we have a responsibility to improve all lives in the global community. This concept of Igniters and ‘donor decide philanthropy’ where we can use our entrepreneurial skills to improve global health is amazing.
Faizal Jiwani
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What do the Igniters do for the community?

The future of health rests on passionate people like the Igniters.

As a group, your partnership impact and generosity empowers the Foundation to redefine health care in Edmonton, throughout Alberta and around the world. Your perspective will help provide insight into the priorities of your community, generation and peers. We’re counting on your voice to help us advance innovation and highlight community needs.

Igniters Information Session

In this Information Session from the University Hospital Foundation, discover the next generation of philanthropy—Igniters. Igniters unite passionate philanthropists and changemakers who are eager to connect, learn, and lead. This program puts the power of health transformation directly into your hands.

As an Igniter, you don’t just donate—you decide. Listen to President and CEO Dr. Jodi Abbott, as well as University Hospital leadership explain how you can have a direct role in supporting innovative projects that have the potential to transform patient care. Join us and be part of something truly impactful!

Watch Now »

Transform Health with the University Hospital Foundations Igniters

Igniters can commit to the program in the following ways:

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Couple/Household Membership

$10,000 for a two-year membership ($5,000 per year) paid by January 31 of each year.
Two individuals from the same household, or a couple
1 household membership = 1 vote to determine critical funding priorities in the annual voting experience
Receive access for both household members all Igniters experiences per year. 
 
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Individual Membership

$10,000 for a two-year membership ($5,000 per year) paid by January 31 of each year
1 membership = 1 vote to determine critical funding priorities in the annual voting experience
Receive access for the individual and one guest to multiple experiences per year. 
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Corporate Membership

$10,000 for a two-year membership ($5,000 per year) paid by January 31 of each year
Two individuals from the corporation will receive access to all Igniters benefits
1 corporate membership = 1 vote to determine critical funding priorities in the annual voting experience
Receive access for both corporate members to multiple experiences per year. 

All memberships include an annual donation, for which a charitable tax receipt is provided.

INQUIRE NOW FOR MORE DETAILS

Frequently asked questions

For the purposes of continuity, we ask that your membership remain with the same two members throughout your first year. We understand circumstances may change that require you to change who your membership partners are, and you may replace members at the beginning of each experience cycle as needed.
A charitable tax receipt for the annual membership amount of $5,000.00 will be issued within 30 days of payment. The receipt will be dated the day the payment is made.
Yes! We encourage members to continue for another two-year term for as long as you would like to remain a part of the program. We hope, as our inaugural group, you can help us grow this program and remain involved and engaged for as long as it serves you.
The time commitment will equate to about 15 hours throughout the year, including quarterly events. In addition, we encourage external promotion of the program as well as being active and involved by way of volunteering or attending our annual Festival of Trees signature events (Gala, Soiree and/or Santa’s Breakfast running from November 28 – December 1, 2024).

Igniters will receive access to inspiring experiences during an annual cycle which may include a:

  • Kickoff Event: Introducing Igniters and welcoming new members
  • Tour of University Hospital: Exposure to theme-related areas of the hospital, such as labs and operating rooms
  • Igniters Social Event: Interaction with fellow Igniters, patients and key healthcare actors
  • Annual Voting Experience: Presentation of innovations to Igniters and voting on allocation

Each of these events will involve various opportunities for members to network amongst themselves and engage with UHF staff, board members and University Hospital representatives.

Your role as an Igniter is pivotal. You are not just a donor, but a decider, playing a key role in determining how contributions are allocated to drive innovation in healthcare. By joining, your donations will help fund projects that are innovative, unique and have the potential to transform patient care. The Igniters is designed to build lifelong relationships with up-and-coming professionals, strengthening one’s connection to UHF and establishing a new form of building a legacy as members’ careers progress. Your involvement as a potential Igniter or program sponsor will also provide an avenue of exposure for your corporate entity to an influential group of today and tomorrow’s leaders while affiliating your brand with a visionary and impactful cause.
Annual Kickoff events will serve as an opportunity to introduce new Igniters and prospective members to the program. Once joined, members will receive guidance from UHF staff on how to talk about the Foundation publicly and equip Igniters with the resources to effectively promote the program online. UHF Igniter leads will remain in contact with members in-between events through digital forums such as LinkedIn, inviting Igniters to other local events to represent UHF and keeping them up to date on the latest developments at UHF.
As an Igniter, you are also a decider. While the group’s decision on the annual cause will likely not be unanimous, we hope that you will find every cause chosen equally impactful on the broader community. We encourage you to support the Foundation in other ways to increase your impact. We have several sponsorship opportunities, community events and other Foundation causes you can get involved in as an ambassador of UHF.
The Igniters program has been designed to benefit both the members and Foundation throughout your two-year term. We believe this minimum length term helps provide longevity to the program and enhances continuity year-to-year. With your financial commitment and professional experience, we can better predict the impact we can make with your funds over the course of your tenure. While we hope our Igniters will commit to a two-year term, we understand circumstances can change that may require you to discontinue membership. Please reach out to the Igniters team to move forward with cancellation.
The University Hospital Foundation has a strategic plan called Ignite 2030 which embodies the Foundation’s mission and values, including our intention to be a catalyst for health transformation in Alberta and beyond. The name Igniters plays off the word “Ignite” in this plan. The design was inspired by candles in the dark, representing orbs of light that guide the way forward as symbols of hope. At the Foundation, we consider each team member to be an agent of hope. The design calls our Igniters to act as agents of hope as well, calling on them to help us lead the way.

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