DID YOU KNOW...

Every gift makes a difference.

Because of you, real change happens every day here at SAIT.

Your generosity is helping students overcome barriers, gain hands-on experience and build the  skills they need to succeed. As SAIT moves forward with a bold vision for the future, your support continues to power the opportunities that make that vision possible. No matter how or where you choose to support SAIT, your generosity is building bold futures and opening doors for students across our community. 

Thank you for making real impact here at SAIT and beyond!

Making a difference with more than just a meal

As the cost of living continues to rise, many SAIT students are facing difficult choices between paying for tuition, housing and groceries.

Thanks to donor generosity, food security initiatives such as the Student Food Pantry are helping ensure students have access to nutritious meals in a welcoming, judgment-free environment when they need them most. These supports ease financial stress and provide the stability students need to stay focused on their education.

More than a meal, your support offers dignity, compassion and a sense of belonging. By helping meet students' basic needs, donors are removing barriers to learning, strengthening student well-being and empowering learners to continue building the skills and confidence that will shape Alberta's future workforce.

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A shared legacy of giving

Kathy Waram's lifelong commitment to giving is creating lasting opportunities for SAIT students. Inspired by the remarkable talent they witnessed at the 2009 WorldSkills competition, Kathy named SAIT as a beneficiary before her passing, and her husband, Rick, has carried that vision forward through the Cowin Waram Legacy Award and the Kathy (Cowin) Waram Legacy Fund.

Together, these legacy gifts help remove financial barriers by supporting student scholarships and participation in Skills competitions. By investing in education and hands-on learning experiences, Kathy and Rick's generosity is empowering the next generation to pursue their potential while inspiring students to one day pay that generosity forward.

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Building bold ideas and bright futures with Giving Day 2025

During the ninth annual Giving Day, donors, students, staff, alumni and partners came together to champion student success — surpassing the $110,000 goal and raising nearly $184,000 from almost 300 donors.

This collective generosity is already making a difference by funding emergency financial assistance, hands-on learning opportunities and inclusive learning spaces. From holiday hampers through the SAIT Students' Association's Adopt-a-Family program and food support for Natoysopoyiis and the Student Food Pantry to expanded resources for students with diverse learning needs and curriculum tools that build resilience and career readiness, every gift is helping students thrive.

For students, the impact is deeply personal. Donor support provides greater stability, reduces financial stress and helps learners stay focused on achieving their goals.

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Giving Day and giving back 

For Travis Gallup (EVT ’11), giving back to SAIT is about honouring both family legacy and the opportunities that shaped his own career. Inspired by generations of family connections to the institution and a lifelong commitment to service, Gallup made his first-ever gift to SAIT during Giving Day in support of the Real Futures campaign. His investment reflects a belief that today's students deserve the resources, experiences and support they need to succeed, just as he benefited from during his own education.

Growing up on his family's ranch near Water Valley, Gallup developed a strong work ethic and a deep appreciation for helping others—values that continue to guide him in his career developing safety protocols for Lactalis Canada. Those same values, along with a family tradition of giving back, motivated his decision to support SAIT students. By paying forward the opportunities that helped launch his own success, Gallup is helping create brighter futures for the next generation of learners.

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Sparking electrical excellence at The Randy O'Dell Centre for Electrical Trades

Randy O'Dell believed in the power of skilled trades to transform lives. From starting his career as an electrician in New Brunswick to building O'Dell Electric into one of Calgary's most respected electrical contractors, he was driven by a commitment to excellence and giving back. Today, through the generosity of the O'Dell estate, that legacy continues at SAIT, where thousands of aspiring electricians are gaining the skills, confidence and opportunities to power the future.

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Opening doors to the skilled trades

Thanks to donor support, SAIT is helping young people discover what’s possible — opening doors to hands-on experiences that spark curiosity, build confidence and shape future careers in the skilled trades.

Through Youth Initiatives, students are introduced to trades early and often, gaining real-world experience that connects classroom learning with meaningful opportunities. These donor-supported opportunities empower youth to explore their interests, build practical skills and imagine new pathways for their future.

Last year, SAIT welcomed more than 120 young women to Exploring Skilled Trades for Girls, where junior high students rolled up their sleeves and tried trades first-hand — from bricklaying, autobody and motorcycle mechanics to refrigeration, roofing, welding and  woodworking. Guided by instructors and industry mentors, participants gained confidence while  discovering new interests and possibilities.

Another win in 2026 was the donor-supported Exploratory Building Trades program, which was delivered in partnership with Mattamy Homes and the Calgary Board of Education. For three months, 10 high school students enjoyed gaining real-world experience through site visits, field trips and constructing a home office shed. 

Through support from our donor community, these opportunities are part of a connected  pathway that is helping youth explore trades in ways that are accessible, engaging and meaningful.

By investing in youth today, donors are opening doors and helping to build a skilled, confident workforce for tomorrow. 

Building what Alberta needs most

Alberta’s health-care system had nearly 9,000 unfilled positions as of early 2025. Closing that gap requires more than good intentions — it requires investment. 

Through support from donors like Manpower Services Alberta, SAIT is preparing future health-care teams with the skills, technology and collaborative experiences needed to strengthen patient care across the province. From advanced simulation and interdisciplinary learning to purpose-built spaces like the future Taylor Family Campus Centre, donor investments are transforming how students prepare for real-world practice. Together, these investments are helping build a stronger, more resilient health-care workforce for Alberta — one graduate at a time.

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Past donor impact reports