For years, the identity of the most generous donor to Canada’s Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) remained a secret. Known only as “Anonymous,” the donor’s contributions quietly grew, amounting to over $200-million—the largest cumulative donation to mental health in Canada’s history. On Thursday, CAMH revealed the mystery benefactor as Bruce McKean, a modest 78-year-old who defied the image of a typical big-time donor.
McKean, father-in-law to Shopify founder Tobias Lütke, made his fortune as an early investor in the tech company. His decision to give away much of his windfall stems from personal experiences with mental illness, including witnessing the struggles of his godson, who battled complex mental health issues and was treated at CAMH.
McKean’s first donation of $100-million in 2018 funded research into the causes and cures of mental illness. His latest $100-million gift will support the construction of two new buildings at CAMH’s Toronto campus: the Temerty Research and Discovery Centre and a forensic psychiatry facility, set to open by 2029.
McKean hopes that by revealing his identity, he can raise awareness about the mental health crisis affecting communities across Canada, while continuing to support the recovery and care of those most in need.