$1 Million Gift from Lind Family Extends the Highly Popular Phil Lind Initiative at UBC

 

“Our father believed in the potential to shape a better future by bringing together diverse viewpoints that enrich society… Never has this forum felt more necessary than the present moment.” – Jed Lind

 

The University of British Columbia’s School of Public Policy and Global Affairs announces a generous donation of $1 million from the Lind family in memory of Philip B. Lind, CM, honouring his exceptional legacy and love for his alma mater, and Canada-U.S. relations. The Phil Lind Initiative is one of UBC’s most influential speaker series and courses dedicated to the promotion of open dialogue and diverse perspectives on the world’s most pressing global issues. Thanks to the generosity of the late Philip B. Lind, CM, the Phil Lind Initiative has been hosted by the School of Public Policy and Global Affairs since 2015. The Lind family’s new gift enables UBC to build on the extraordinary success of this prestigious series and will extend the Phil Lind Initiative to the 2027 season.

 

“UBC is deeply grateful for the ongoing support and generous commitment of the Lind family,” said Benoit-Antoine Bacon, President and Vice Chancellor of the University of British Columbia. “Fostering the exchange of intellectual discourse and thought-provoking dialogue is central to our mission as a leading university. The Phil Lind Initiative has made a profound impact on our campus community, and we are privileged to honour and celebrate the memory of one of UBC’s most distinguished alumni in such a meaningful way.”

 

“Our father believed in the potential to shape a better future by bringing together diverse viewpoints that enrich society,” said Jed Lind, Phil Lind’s son. “The Phil Lind Initiative at UBC combined our father’s loyal support of his alma mater with his passion for engaging on important global topics. We are excited to continue the legacy of the Phil Lind Initiative, which provides a valuable platform for productive conversations around U.S. policy and identity. Never has this forum felt more necessary than the present moment.”

This announcement comes as the 2025 Phil Lind Initiative series on What it Means to be “American” has just been unveiled. Click here to see the full 2025 lineup. 

“The Phil Lind Initiative inspires our students and the UBC community, along with wider public audiences, to engage meaningfully with complex social and political issues,” said Allison Macfarlane, Director of the School of Public Policy and Global Affairs. “As a result of this remarkable gift and the significant contributions of Phil, and now Jed who is part of the Phil Lind Initiative Advisory Board, we are able to continue creating spaces for the type of rich intellectual exchange that the Lind family is so passionate about.”

 

The Lind family’s gift is part of FORWARD, the campaign for UBC, with the promise and potential to advance healthy lives, a healthy planet, and healthy societies.

 

Read more about the Phil Lind Initiative.