Teaching

OPUS’ mission is to encourage all members of society at all socio-economic levels to make philanthropy a part of their daily lives. We believe in educating the leaders of tomorrow that socially-aware thinking is critical to the success of our future generations – in business, human development, and the promise of a safe world for all of us.

The Strategic Philanthropy and Leadership course at McMaster University’s DeGroote School of Business is centered around the act of good grant-making. Fourth year commerce students are given $20,000 to donate to a charity of choice while learning the fundamentals and procedures of philanthropic decision making.

This course is possible through the generosity of Doris Buffett and the Sunshine Lady Foundation’s Giving Through Learning Programme, which contributes $10,000 for the students to grant.

This video is dedicated to Jeff Wheeler who suddenly and tragically died on May 24, 2009, at only 40 years of age. Jeff was instrumental is encouraging his business partners Bob Levis and Michael Lee Chin to join him in matching Doris Buffett’s donation which provided the student’s at McMaster a full $20,000 to grant. Jeff was a philanthropist in the true meaning of the word, “lover of human kind” and he touched the lives of many people. We will all miss him very much. Video produced by Mark Scattolon of Scattolon Productions.

“Passengers” music track, sung by Maria Antonakos used with Permission from Penton Publishing, Maria Antonakos. www.mariaantonakos.com