Dear Investment Office Director/Endowment Manager,

I hope this email finds you well. As a [student/alumni/community member] of [University] I'm writing to propose an innovative investment strategy that could position our institution as a leader in Canadian innovation while generating strong returns for our endowment.

The Opportunity: The 1% Blueprint

I'd like to introduce you to the 1% Blueprint, a national grassroots movement calling for Canadian universities with endowments over $100M to allocate at least 1% of their capital into pre-seed and seed-stage ventures. With [University]'s endowment of approximately significant, this would represent an investment of roughly approximately 1% into early-stage Canadian startups.

Why This Matters Now

The data tells a compelling story:

• Seed-stage VC funding in Canada has dropped to 2020 levels
• Top entrepreneurial talent is migrating south due to capital gaps
• Universities across Canada are seeking tangible ways to fulfill innovation mandates
• The University of Waterloo already operates with a 5% VC allocation, demonstrating proven institutional precedent

Strategic Alignment

This initiative directly supports:

• The 2024 Innovation Mandate Letter's call for institutions to back homegrown innovation
• [University]'s mission to foster entrepreneurship and innovation
• Our commitment to supporting student and alumni ventures
• Diversification of our endowment portfolio with high-growth potential assets

The Collective Impact

If adopted broadly, the 1% Blueprint could unlock over $200M in capital across Canadian university endowments, creating a substantial funding ecosystem for early-stage ventures when they need it most. University of Toronto has the opportunity to be a pioneer in this movement.

Proposed Next Steps

I would welcome the opportunity to discuss this proposal further and explore how we might implement a pilot program. I'm happy to:

• Provide additional research and data on early-stage investment returns
• Connect you with other institutions exploring similar initiatives
• Facilitate discussions with relevant venture capital partners
• Present to the investment committee if there's interest

Request for Meeting

Would you be available for a brief meeting in the coming weeks to discuss this opportunity? I believe the 1% Blueprint represents not just a smart investment strategy, but a chance for [University] to demonstrate leadership in supporting Canadian innovation.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing your thoughts.

Best regards,