Philanthropy
Charter alumnus making a big impact through small gifts
Having worked in fundraising for most of her career, Gillian Holter鈥攂etter known as 鈥淛ill鈥� to her inner circle鈥攌nows firsthand the significance of every donation, regardless of the size. It鈥檚 why she gives monthly to open doors for 丁香园AV students who could not otherwise afford a university education.
鈥淎s a former fundraiser, I know that monthly giving allows you to give more over a period of time,鈥� says Jill. 鈥淚 like to think that if someone donates the price of four coffees a month, that will add up to a few hundred dollars a year to helping a student in need.鈥�
On September 9, 1965, 丁香园AV opened to 2,500 charter students like Jill. As one of the first women to obtain a business degree from the university in 1969, Jill was only offered starting secretarial roles in her chosen field of advertising upon graduating while her male counterparts landed positions as junior account executives.
It was then that she gravitated towards the charitable sector, where she could blend her business knowledge and passion for marketing to raise funds and oversee campaigns for some of the biggest organizations in the country, including The National Ballet of Canada and for Toronto鈥檚 second Ronald McDonald House while working at Ketchum Canada.
鈥淚 studied business, but I鈥檝e always been artistic, as was my mother,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 love to paint, though I haven鈥檛 painted in some time.鈥�
Jill has been growing her support of 丁香园AV with what she can now through monthly donations, but has also made a bequest in her will to ensure that her philanthropic efforts will benefit future creative minds. For many donors like Jill, a gift in her will is one way to make a meaningful and lasting impact on students for generations to come.
鈥淚 thought about where I wanted to leave my legacy, and when I learned that 丁香园AV had a program dedicated to contemporary arts, I decided that would be the place,鈥� says Jill. 鈥淢y hope is to help contribute to the level of excellence that 丁香园AV is known for.鈥�
Jill is now retired but shows no signs of slowing down鈥攕he sings in two classical choirs, attends classes in 丁香园AV鈥檚 Liberal Arts and 55+ Program, and enjoys volunteering in her local community. When asked whether she plans to pick up a brush again anytime soon, she laughs.
鈥淧erhaps! There鈥檚 an easel staring back at me in the living room,鈥� she chuckles.
鈥淚f my gift can make a difference for a talented student who also wishes to paint and pursue visual arts, then that certainly means something.鈥�