Be a Matchmaker

Like many Commerce students before him, Richi Tam, BCom’13, began his third year excited at the prospect of going on an international exchange. His second year had been a tough one and he was looking for a fresh start abroad. But what began as a great adventure — exploring a new country, making new friends — quickly turned dark when his struggles with mental illness came to a head.

Richi Tam, BCom ‘13, First young alum to donate Initially hesitant about resuming his studies in Kingston, Richi returned to discover an outpouring of support from QSB staff, his fellow students and professors at Queen’s School of Business. It was this support that Richi credits with helping him finish his degree — and what inspired him to give back to the business school.

Now a staff accountant at KPMG, Richi is the first QSB alumnus to take advantage of a new fundraising campaign that matches donations dollar-for-dollar. The Dean’s Matching Fund, a new initiative made possible by donations from several benefactors, aims to double the original $2M investment over the next 14 months — or until the matching fund runs out. Young alumni have a chance to make an even bigger impact, with donations matched $2 to $1 for those who graduated in 2004 or later.

“We are excited to launch a fundraising initiative that leverages gifts from our donors,” said Dean David Saunders. “We hope our alumni, especially those who graduated in the last ten years, will take up the challenge and donate.”

All individual pledges or gifts between $1,000 and $25,000 made to the business school will be matched. To help make donating more affordable, pledged gifts can be spread out over a five-year period. Donations from any member of the QSB community — alumni, students, faculty, friends of the school and students’ parents alike — are welcome.

For Richi, Class Giving Leader for the Class of 2013, directing his pledge of $1,000 to the Commerce Legacy Fund for Student Health and Wellness was an obvious fit. This fund provides support for mental health initiatives to benefit Commerce students. Richi and his classmate (and former ComSoc Class President) Kate Moraca had created the fund, inspired by the support Richi had received as a student.

To check if your employer matches staff donations, visit matchinggifts.com/canada/queens

The second gift to benefit from the new matching program comes from a class preparing for its 20th anniversary reunion at Homecoming 2015. Jon Soler, BCom’95, and his classmates have established a bursary to support an incoming Commerce student in financial need.

"More than one third of Commerce students receive financial support through needs-based awards,” said Jeanette Hepburn, BCom’89, Executive Director, Development and Alumni Relations. “Class gifts can make a world of difference by helping to keep a Queen’s business education accessible to students who would otherwise be unable to enrol.”

The original donation and the matched amount can be directed to any of the School’s fundraising priorities: developing leaders, transforming student learning, accelerating thought leadership, and enhancing Goodes Hall.

All donations will count toward QSB’s broader $65M Invest in QSB Campaign goal. To date, the Campaign has raised $58M.