Toronto Metropolitan University receives $1 million gift from The Slaight Family Foundation to support the Allan Slaight Radio Institute

A transformative investment advancing the future of media education and storytelling at The Creative School, TMU

By: The Creative School Staff

November 27, 2025

The Allan Slaight Radio Institute at The Creative School has received an additional $1 million gift from The Slaight Family Foundation, strengthening its role as a space for hands-on learning, creativity, and innovation in audio and broadcast media. The funding will support new and ongoing initiatives that give students access to industry mentorship, live production experience, and leading-edge technology — expanding opportunities for emerging storytellers to develop their voices and careers.

Two women are sitting at the Allan Slaight Radio Institute in front of microphones and switchboards. They are looking at each other and appear to be in the middle of a conversation."

“This generous gift from The Slaight Family Foundation will help us continue to create opportunities for experiential learning and innovation in media production,” says Dr. Natalie Álvarez, Dean of The Creative School. “The Allan Slaight Radio Institute is a cornerstone of our creative community, and this renewed investment ensures it will continue to inspire, connect, and empower students for years to come.”

The investment will sustain the Allan Slaight Entrance Awards, which help students pursue their creative and professional goals, and will continue the Broadcaster-in-Residence program, connecting students with industry leaders and alumni. It will also enhance staffing with a new event coordinator role, establish a fund dedicated to student-led productions, and provide resources for essential technology upgrades and maintenance across the Allan Slaight Radio Institute.

“My father believed deeply in the power of radio to inform, inspire, and connect communities,” says Gary Slaight, President and CEO of The Slaight Family Foundation. “Supporting TMU through this renewed investment allows us to help nurture the next generation of creators who will carry that vision forward. We are proud to continue our partnership with the Allan Slaight Radio Institute and contribute to the growth of students’ skills, ambitions, and achievements in broadcasting.”

"This renewed support from The Slaight Family Foundation is so appreciated and valued,” says James Nadler, Chair of RTA School of Media. “We see the Allan Slaight Radio Institute as key to fostering the next generation of radio talent and ultimately shaping the future of broadcasting."

“We're ecstatic about the continued generosity of The Slaight Family Foundation,” says Finlay Braithwaite, Assistant Professor, Media Production and Professional Music and Director of the Allan Slaight Radio Institute. “These funds for the Allan Slaight Radio Institute will greatly impact our students and the wider community of practice through scholarships, updated facilities, and a range of supported activities and events that connect to the potential and importance of radio in the contemporary media landscape.”

For more than a decade, the Allan Slaight Radio Institute has provided TMU students with a professional environment to experiment, collaborate, and create. Its student-run radio station, SpiritLive (external link, opens in new window) , and a growing slate of podcasts and live productions have helped hundreds of students build real-world skills and confidence in content creation. The new investment ensures the Institute will continue to evolve as a space where creativity, technology, and community come together.

The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University

The Creative School is a dynamic faculty that is making a difference in new, unexplored ways. Made up of Canada’s top professional schools and transdisciplinary hubs in media, communication, design and cultural industries, The Creative School offers students an unparalleled global experience in the heart of downtown Toronto.