In a brief presentation to delegates attending the recent OMA Annual Council Meeting in London, OMA President Dr. Albert Schumacher provided an update on the progress of the Ontario Medical Student Bursary Fund campaign, and an overview of future fund-raising initiatives.
Dr. Schumacher told delegates that "although results to date are promising, the OMSBF needs continued support and participation from physicians to be successful enough to make a significant difference to financially challenged medical students today and in the future."
The Ontario Medical Foundation (OMF) portion of the campaign, which is focusing on non-Ontario physician graduates, is targeting a goal of $4 million over five years. Donations have now surpassed the $1.7 million mark (see table below).
In addition, the OMF also raised $60,000 during a pilot project for the University of Toronto. These results were instrumental in convincing the U of T Medical Alumni Association to join in the partnership, along with the province’s other four medical schools.
McMaster University and the University of Ottawa have completed their campaigns for the 1999-2000 academic year, raising $65,000 and $35,000 respectively. Queen’s University is in the midst of its campaign, while the University of Western Ontario, along with U of T, are preparing to begin their respective campaigns this fall.
The OMF is prepared to move to the
next stage of the OMSBF campaign. Future fund-raising initiatives will
include a direct mailing to all non-Ontario physician graduates who were
not already contacted by telemarketing, developing an annual campaign to
accommodate the large number of one-time gifts received, and approaching
corporations and foundations for their financial support.
| OMA | $ 500,000 |
| CMA/MD Mgmt. | $ 500,000 |
| Founders | $ 100,000 |
| Telemarketing | $ 382,000 |
| Mail Donations | $ 40,000 |
| Gov’t Matching | $ 200,000 |
| TOTAL | $1,722,000 |