Israel Asper, O.C., O.M., Q.C., L.L.D. (1932 – 2003) and Babs Asper (1933 – 2011) believed that philanthropy is a driving force behind positive change in people’s quality of life. For this reason, they formed The Asper Foundation in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada in 1983 to build upon their and the Asper family’s philanthropic objectives.
The Asper Foundation, a Winnipeg-based philanthropic organization, develops major projects and provides general support to the Jewish Community while also supporting the broader community in areas of culture, education, community development, and human rights on a local, national and international scale.
In the recent past, over $150 million has been donated to various charitable causes through The Asper Foundation. This website not only reflects, but celebrates the inspired vision of Israel and Babs Asper and outlines the activities and future plans of The Asper Foundation.
Announcements of Major Initiatives
The Asper Foundation Announces Major Gift to Maccabi World Union
The Asper Foundation announced a major gift of $2,500,000 US to Maccabi World Union (MWU), one the world’s largest and oldest Jewish and Zionist organizations. The gift will be used to support MWU’s new Asper Maccabi House, opening later this year, which will operate global education and leadership training initiatives as well as a new Museum of Jewish Sports. Please click here, here, here, and here for more information.
Asper-HUJI Innovate Announces Winner of the Asper Prize
Asper-HUJI Innovate announced the winner of the inaugural Asper Prize as Kinoko-Tech, a company focused on generating tasty, healthy and nutritious food that provides an ecologically-friendly protein source. For more information, please see here, here, here, here, here, and here.
Establishment of The Asper Clean Water Fund at Tel Aviv University
The Asper Foundation announced a gift of over $400,000 US to the Canadian Friends of Tel Aviv University to establish The Asper Clean Water Fund at Tel Aviv University (TAU). The Fund is delivered through TAU’s Water Energy Lab which further develops technology that produces safe drinking water in the developing world. Please click here for more information.
Establishment of The Asper Center for Zionist Education at Shalem College
The Asper Foundation partnered with Shalem College in Jerusalem to establish the multi-faceted Asper Center for Zionist Education. Designed to respond to both need and opportunity, the center will provide a scalable academic platform for meaningful engagement with Zionist thought and history. Please click here and here for more information.
Asper-HUJI Innovate Named an Outstanding Emerging Entrepreneurship Center
The Hebrew University Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship – ASPER-HUJI Innovate, Yale University and East Carolina University received a prestigious international prize being named an Outstanding Emerging Entrepreneurship Center for schools with more than 5,000 students. The award was presented by the Global Consortium of Entrepreneurship Centers in Higher Education representing 300 universities from around the world. Please click here for more information.
