Buffalo, NY – Canisius President Steve K. Stoute announced February 8, that the university will invest $1 million over the next five years toward the creation of a competitive grant program designed to “unleash the power of innovation.” The President’s Innovation Fund will support original and inventive concepts and practices that have the potential to advance Canisius University’s strategic agenda and achieve verifiable positive outcomes for students. Using this as their criteria, Canisius faculty and staff can submit proposals for funding. Selected applications will demonstrate creativity and ingenuity, and foster academic excellence and innovation, as outlined in the first pillar of Canisius University’s strategic plan.
“As noted in the preamble to Answer the Call, our Jesuit tradition is one of action in response to signs of the times,” President Stoute stated during his announcement of the Innovation Fund. “I am incredibly excited to see how our campus community will act, in collaboration, to push the boundaries of traditional thinking and help propel Canisius University toward a brighter future.”
“The seed money provided through these grants will enable novel ideas to take root and potentially develop into transformative programs and initiatives that foster academic excellence,” added Jonathan D. Lawrence, PhD, associate professor of religious studies and theology and chair of the Faculty Senate. “This is a great opportunity and I look forward to seeing what the Canisius community will do with this support.”
The President’s Innovation Fund originated in 2023, when Canisius invited alumni and donors to make unrestricted gifts to the institution, in support of initiatives that had the greatest potential to move the university forward. Canisius constituents “responded in remarkable ways,” said President Stoute, such that their investments in the institution have culminated in this new competitive grant program. “Nothing of significance is accomplished alone and therefore I am beyond grateful to those donors who have committed to the Innovation Fund. Their investment will impact Canisius University in meaningful ways.”
Canisius alumnus Raymond J. Kubiak ’79 is among the many supporters to the President’s Innovation Fund. A (retired) portfolio manager for Boston’s Longfellow Investment Management Co., he noted that “Canisius helped shape my core values and paved the way for a successful career. I am excited to support a new generation of Canisius students who will benefit from the faculty’s freedom to create and innovate under President Stoute’s initiative.”
Larry E. Manth ’87 attributes his investment in the Innovation Fund to President Stoute’s vision and strategic plan for Canisius. “Having a strategic agenda and looking at ways to reshape Canisius for the future is critical to attracting top students and faculty,” said Manth, a (retired) partner with Meritage Financial Partners LLC. “The Innovation Fund will help keep Canisius competitive amongst all the top colleges and universities in the country. I have full faith in President Stoute’s leadership and the future of Canisius.”
For more information about the President’s Innovation Fund, contact University Communications at 716-888-2792.
To make a gift to the President’s Innovation Fund, click here.
Canisius was founded in 1870 in Buffalo, NY, and is one of 27 Jesuit colleges and universities in the U.S. Consistently ranked among the top institutions in the Northeast, Canisius offers undergraduate, graduate and pre-professional programs distinguished by close student-faculty collaboration, mentoring and an emphasis on ethical, purpose-driven leadership.
