'Transformation HSC' Capital Campaign

Successful, major capital fundraising initiatives follow a tested formula, which in most cases engages a relatively small group of community and staff leadership in what is known as the “silent phase” of a campaign.  HSC successfully completed the silent phase of our overall fundraising in the summer of 2010, raising in the process the largest single gift ever made to an independent school in Canada. Mr. Michael G. DeGroote (Hon '09) and his family initially committed $10.5 million to the project, and have since increased their gifts to $13.5 million. In September of 2010 at the beginning of the new school year, the campaign was more publicly introduced to the community. By February 2011 the campaign had raised $24 million in donations and pledges, and the Board of Governors approved the start of construction of the new Michael G. DeGroote Senior School and Learning Commons, which will be ready for occupancy in September 2012.

The full project will additionally see a College-wide Community & Athletic complex added, with an enclosed, heated walkway connecting the new facilities to the existing campus. The overall cost of the entire project will be approximately $43 million.

The work of fundraising for the project is being led by a Campaign Cabinet under the leadership of current parents, Mr. Ron Foxcroft and Mr. Jeff Paikin '80, aided by Honourary co-Chairs and alumni Bill Young ’35, Joyce Young ’43 and Gary DeGroote ’74.  Additional campaign cabinet members are Dr.Nick Bontis, Mr. Ron Bremner '67, Mrs. Peggi DeGroote, Dr. Agnes Kuskowski '82, Mr. Paul Lee-Chin '00 and Mr. Paul Philp, Chair of the HSC Board of Governors. The campaign Director is Ms. Adrienne Davidson, Director of College Advancement.

'Transformation HSC' is a breathtaking project, and we have been greeted very warmly by prospective donors whenever we have asked for their support,” said Mr. Foxcroft.  “The vision behind this project has appealed to donors in ways not previously seen at HSC, and we are confident that it will see us through to a successful conclusion of the campaign.”